Purity (Part 2)
“I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.” Psalm 101:3
Welcome to a new week of Freedom Fighters. I am thankful for each of you and for your willingness to join me on the journey.
Last week I talked about the battle that the enemy is waging in tempting us with our eyes and our minds.
If it wasn’t so sad, it would have been humorous. Two days after writing that blog I found myself doing battle with my eyes.
The first encounter was at one of our favorite restaurants enjoying a meal with Jan and dear friends. When it came time to pay the bill, our waitress who was very attentive came over to present the bill and proceeded to lean over the table right in front of me. It was a very awkward moment. Did she know what she was doing? Or is she just a part of the “reveal it all” culture? Well I quickly turned my head and faced my wife.
The next day I was dropping off something and the young lady behind the counter was sitting much lower than were I was standing. For the type of business she was working for, she was certainly overdressed, well actually under-dressed for the occasion. I can’t help but thing that every guy that walked in that day faced the same temptation that I faced (unless they were truly brain dead or blind).
Author of Every Man’s Battle, Steve Atterburn says that our eyes, if not careful can be like a broken sewer pipe that will continue to carry raw sewage and leak it into our lives.
He says, “That is why we not only need to fight on the spiritual front by praying, but we also have to fight on the physical front with our wills by fleeing.
What does fleeing look like in practice? Simple: It is cutting off those sensual images that create that mental pop! Bouncing our eyes is one form of fleeing. Starving the mind of new images and taking lustful thoughts captive are two others. Fleeing into a deeper relationship with God through regularly reading the bible is the fourth.”
Recently one man shared with me, “I don’t have to look at pornography – I just have to go to the beach and boardwalk.” Another brother shared that what helped him think through this issue was this: “Do I want other men ogling at my wife and daughters with their eyes? Mentally undressing them and who knows what else?”
You might say – do we really need to talk about this? Absolutely! We need to hold each other’s feet to the fire. Actually we need to hold each other’s eyes to the fire. How are you doing with the battle with your eyes? You can’t do it alone, but with God’s help and another brother holding you accountable, we can live a life of purity.
Running the race with joy,
Bill Welte
President/CEO America’s KESWICK
Daily Bible Reading: Hosea 9-11; Matthew 19
Quote of the day: God loves us just the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way. – Adrian Rogers
Bible Memory: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules.—Psalm 119:106 ESV
Freedom Fighters 
Amen Bill. This is an ongoing battle. As He teaches me, I see that He has made all people beautiful, but for their own particular purpose and spouse. My best defense – if my eyes do not immediately bounce (though by His grace He is teaching me!) – is to pray for the woman and bless her and her husband (or future husband). I pray that God would protect her, and make her a noble woman of God who can be preserved for the man He intends for her.
It is difficult to lust for someone when you pray for them 🙂 (Thanks Chap. Freed)
And when my eyes do go and stay in the wrong place (thankfully rarely!, unfortunately still happens!!!) for too long, is to clearly agree with God that I have strayed – but then to walk in the forgiveness He provides. To stay locked in guilt over failure is (for me) the beginning of another failure. I must trust He has forgiven me and walk firmly back into the light.
Great article and comment. I live in NYC. Just riding the subways can be “too much.” The lurid posters are the tip of the iceberg. Scantily clad persons and sexual activity on the cars, especially in the warmer weather, is a given. I’m 72 years old and am running for my life! Keep up the good fight my dear brothers. I’m sure it’s worth it!!