성적으로 거룩함을 지키기 위한 수칙 Called to Sexual Purity: How to Guide

Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Tim Grissom, Seeking Him: Experiencing the Joy of Personal Revival, Life Action Ministries, 2004 

성적인 순결을 지키기 위한 12가지 원칙
1. 자신이 도덕적으로 실패할 수 있는 존재임을 인정하라 (고린도전서 10:12)
“그런즉 선 줄로 생각하는 자는 넘어질까 조심하라.”
우리 모두는 육신의 정욕과 안목의 정욕에 쉽게 노출될 수 있는 존재입니다. 하나님과의 친밀한 관계를 누렸던 사람들조차 성적 유혹에 넘어간 예가 성경과 역사에 가득합니다. 아무리 헌신된 신자라 할지라도 스스로 경계심을 풀거나 유혹을 받지 않는다고 자만하면 위험에 빠지기 쉽습니다.
하나님께 고백하십시오. “주님 없이는 어떤 죄에도 노출될 수 있는 나약한 존재입니다. 제 삶의 모든 영역, 특히 성적인 영역에서 하나님의 보호가 필요합니다.”
2. 유혹에 굴복하지 않아도 된다는 것을 인식하라 (고린도전서 10:13)
“사람이 감당할 시험 밖에는 너희가 당한 것이 없나니… 시험 당할 즈음에 또한 피할 길을 내사 너희로 능히 감당하게 하시느니라.”
우리는 유혹에 굴복하지 않고 이길 수 있습니다. 결국 선택은 우리에게 달려 있습니다. 솔직히 말해 많은 사람들이 유혹에 빠지는 것은, 마음속 깊이 죄를 원하는 마음이 있기 때문입니다.
3. 순결을 결단하라 (베드로전서 1:13-15)
“그러므로 너희 마음의 허리를 동이고 근신하여… 너희를 부르신 이가 거룩하신 것 같이 너희도 모든 행실에 거룩한 자가 되라.”
유혹이 다가왔을 때 대처하려 하면 이미 늦습니다. 유혹이 오기 전에, 마음속으로 미리 순결을 결단하고 하나님께 순결한 삶을 살겠다고 약속하십시오.
당신은 어떤 유혹이 와도 순결을 지키겠다고 결단했습니까?
4. 모든 쓰라림(쓴 뿌리)을 제거하라 (히브리서 12:15-16)
“너희는 하나님의 은혜에 이르지 못하는 자가 없도록 하고, 또 쓴 뿌리가 나서 괴롭게 하여 많은 사람이 이로 말미암아 더럽게 되지 않게 하며…”
과거의 상처와 용서하지 못하는 마음은 쓴 뿌리를 자라게 하며, 이는 음란함으로 이어질 수 있습니다.
하나님께 간구하십시오. “제 안에 쓴 뿌리가 있다면 보여주시고, 그것을 주님께 맡기게 하소서. 저를 상처 준 자를 용서하고, 그 상처를 주님께 맡깁니다.”
5. 육신의 욕망을 절제하라 (로마서 13:14)
“오직 주 예수 그리스도로 옷 입고, 정욕을 위하여 육신의 일을 도모하지 말라.”
어느 한 부분에서 육신을 방치하면 다른 부분에서도 죄에 쉽게 넘어갑니다. 작은 타협도 전체를 무너뜨릴 수 있습니다.
6. 도덕적 속박으로 이끌 수 있는 모든 것을 거절하라 (잠언 7:7-9)
“지혜 없는 자 중에 젊은이 가운데 한 지각 없는 자를 보았노라… 저물 때, 밤중에, 흑암 중에 그 길을 따라…”
작은 선택이 큰 유혹으로 이어질 수 있습니다. 당신의 삶에서 유혹을 불러올 수 있는 물건, 사람, 장소는 무엇입니까? 그것들을 오늘 제거하십시오.
7. 모든 악한 것으로부터 도망치라 (디모데후서 2:22)
“또한 청년의 정욕을 피하고 주를 깨끗한 마음으로 부르는 자들과 함께 의와 믿음과 사랑과 화평을 따르라.”
유혹적인 상황에서는 이성적으로 머물지 말고 즉시 도망치십시오! 하나님께서 이미 방법을 말씀하셨습니다. “도망치라!”
8. 하나님의 말씀으로 마음을 새롭게 하라 (빌립보서 4:8)
“무엇이든지 참되며, 무엇이든지 경건하며, … 그런 것들을 생각하라.”
잘못된 행동은 잘못된 생각에서 비롯됩니다. 생각을 바꾸지 않으면 행동도 바뀌지 않습니다. 말씀을 통해 마음을 정결하게 하고 삶을 변화시킬 수 있습니다.
당신의 사고방식을 세상적인 것으로 채우고 있지 않습니까? 말씀을 묵상하고 암송하여 생각을 새롭게 하십시오.
9. 도움을 요청하라 (야고보서 5:16)
“너희 죄를 서로 고백하며 병 낫기를 위하여 서로 기도하라…”
혼자서 싸우는 것은 너무 어렵습니다. 신실하고 성숙한 동성의 신자에게 당신의 약함을 고백하고, 정기적으로 기도와 책망, 격려를 받을 수 있도록 하십시오.
당신의 내면의 고통과 싸움을 알고 기도해주는 동역자가 있습니까?
10. 결과를 기억하라 (야고보서 1:14-15)
“각 사람이 시험을 받는 것은 자기 욕심에 끌려 미혹됨이니, 욕심이 잉태한즉 죄를 낳고, 죄가 장성한즉 사망을 낳느니라.”
죄는 처음엔 달콤하게 보이지만 결국 파괴적입니다. 죄를 택했을 때 자신과 가족에게 올 고통을 미리 생각해 보십시오.
11. 패배와 절망 속에 머물기를 거절하라 (잠언 24:16a)
“대저 의인은 일곱 번 넘어질지라도 다시 일어나려니와…”
혹시 도덕적으로 실패했습니까? 하나님은 과거의 죄를 축복하실 수는 없지만, 회개하는 마음은 회복시켜 주십니다. 성적인 죄라 해도 하나님의 용서는 충분하며, 순결을 다시 회복시켜 주십니다.
실패에 머물지 말고, 하나님의 자비를 붙들고 일어나십시오!
12. 성령님을 의지하라 (갈라디아서 5:16)
“내가 이르노니 너희는 성령을 따라 행하라. 그리하면 육체의 욕심을 이루지 아니하리라.”
예수님께서 육신의 몸을 입고도 거룩한 삶을 사셨던 것처럼, 우리 안에 계신 성령님이 우리를 넘어지지 않게 지켜주십니다.
성령 충만을 구하는 기도를 써 보세요. 모든 삶의 영역에서 성령님께 순복하고, 육체의 욕망을 따르지 않기를 간구해 보세요.

1.     Recognize your potential for moral failure. 1 Corinthians 10:12

2.     Realize that you don’t have to give in. 1 Corinthians 10:13

3.     Resolve to be pure. 1 Peter 1:13-15

4.     Remove all bitterness. Hebrews 12:15-16

5.     Restrain your fleshly desires. Romans 13:14

6.     Reject anything that could lead you into moral bondage. Proverbs 7:7-9

7.     Run from every form of evil. 2 Timothy 2:22

8.     Renew your mind with the Word of God. Philippians 4:8

9.     Recruit Help. James 5:16

10.  Remember the consequences. James 1:14-15

11.  Refuse to remain in defeat and depression. Proverbs 24:16a

12.  Rely on the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16

1.     Recognize your potential for moral failure. 1 Corinthians 10:12

“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1Corinthians 10:12) All of us are vulnerable to the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes.  History is filled with examples of men and women who fell prey to sexual temptation even though they had previously walked in intimacy with God. The most committed of believers are susceptible if they relax their guard or believe they are above being tempted.
Acknowledge to the Lord that apart from Him you could be vulnerable to any kind of sin, and that you need His protection in every area of your life, including your sexual life.

2.     Realize that you don’t have to give in. 1 Corinthians 10:13

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
You do not have to be overcome; you can overcome. The choice is yours. If we are honest, many would have to admit that we often fall because inwardly we want to sin.

3.     Resolve to be pure. 1 Peter 1:13-15

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” (1 Peter 1:13-15)
Battles can be won or lost before the enemy is ever engaged. Don’t wait until you are face-to-face with sexual temptation before you decide how you will respond. That’s too late! Go on the offensive – before the temptation comes – by resolving in your heart to be morally pure, by God’s grace.
Have you purposed to be pure, no matter what or how strong the temptation? Make a commitment to God that, whatever it takes, you will make moral choices that are pleasing to Him.

4.     Remove all bitterness. Hebrews 12:15-16

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Easu, who sold his birthright for a single meal.” (Hebrews 12:15-16)
The hurts of the past and our refusal to forgive those who have wronged us provide fertile ground for bitterness to flourish. Bitterness, left unchecked, makes us more apt to succumb to -or even pursue – sensuality and to subconsciously justify it in our mind, on the basis of how deeply we have been hurt… You cannot hold on to harbored hurts and pursue purity at the same time.
Ask God to show you if there is any “root of bitterness” in your heart. If there is, release it to God, and receive His grace to forgive the offender and to help you deal with the hurt he/she has caused.

5.     Restrain your fleshly desires. Romans 13:14

“Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desire.” (Romans 13:14)
You cannot indulge your flesh in one area and expect to conquer it in another. Do not allow even one area of compromise. Giving in on one issue (no matter how small) weakens your resistance and will make you more vulnerable to sin in other matters that may have even greater consequences.

6.     Reject anything that could lead you into moral bondage. Proverbs 7:7-9

“And I have seen among the simple, I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house in the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness.” (Proverbs 7:7-9)
We cannot live in a cave, but we can exercise some control over what we encounter during the routine of our lives. Little choices may seem insignificant or justifiable. But if those choices could lead us into temptation, they need to be avoided at all costs.
Are there any items or influences in your home, your car, or your workplace that could lure you to be morally impure? Determine to get rid of them without delay. Make a list of places and people that could entice you into immorality, and resolve to avoid them.

7.     Run from every form of evil. 2 Timothy 2:22

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22)
If you find yourself in a potentially compromising situation, flee! Do not linger to consider your options. Don’t rely on your reason or willpower. Rely on God; He has already told you what to do; run!
Are you currently involved in any activity, situation, or relationship that is immoral, or could lead you to moral compromise? What does God want you to do about it? Do whatever you know God wants you to do?

8.     Renew your mind with the Word of God. Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phillippians 4:8)
Wrong actions stem from wrong thoughts. If we are to change our behavior, we must first change how we think. God’s word has the power to reform our habits by cleansing our thoughts and renewing our minds. But we must assume our responsibility to engraft God’s Word into our hearts by reading, memorizing, and meditating on it.
Are you allowing any ungodly influences to shape your thinking? What change(s), if any, do you need to make? What are you doing to fill your mind and your heart with the word of God?

9.     Recruit Help. James 5:16

Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16)
It is extremely difficult to achieve victory in any struggle with sin, especially of a moral nature, without the help of godly friends. If you find yourself failing morally (or enslaved to any other sinful habit), identify a mature, godly believer (of the same sex) and humble yourself by admitting your need to that person. Ask him or her to pray for you and to hold you accountable in whatever specific areas you need help.
Who knows your innermost personal struggles and is committed to pray for you and to join you in believing God for freedom and victory? Are you being honest with that person and making yourself accountable on a regular basis?

10.  Remember the consequences. James 1:14-15

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (James 1:14-15)
In the heat of temptation, sin is tantalizing. Afterward, it is completely destructive. Think ahead to the anguish you could bring on yourself and your loved ones if you choose to yield to immorality.

11.  Refuse to remain in defeat and depression. Proverbs 24:16a

The righteous falls seven times and rises again. (Proverbs 24:16a)
Have you failed morally? God cannot bless the sin of your past. But He can – and He will – bless a broken and a repentant heart. There is no sexual sin too great for God to forgive. He will not restore your virginity if you have given that away; but He will restore your purity. Do not allow your defeats to keep you defeated; allow His mercy to keep you humble and reliant upon His grace. You can experience victory, in spite of momentary or even major setbacks.
Thanks God that through the power and cross of Christ, you do not have to live under the domination of sin but have been set free to obey and follow Him.

12.  Rely on the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)
The Lord Jesus lived a blameless and pure life even while wearing the robes of humanity. The very power that raised Jesus from the dead is able to “keep you from stumbling, and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy” (Jude 24)
Write a prayer expressing your desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to yield to Him in every area of your life, rather than fulfilling the natural desires of your flesh.
 
 

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