Beyond Easter: Christ's Sacrifice & Freedom From Sexual Sin

Hands down, this weekend marks the greatest event that ever happened. Churches will notice an increase in attendance, as many will flock to the pews to pause and remember the brutal death and triumphal resurrection of our Savior — Jesus.

There will be no shortage of praise and worship music that proclaims that death has lost its sting. Others will acknowledge that the same power that raised Jesus from the grave is alive inside of us.

Do we honestly believe it, or are we simply seeking a momentary mountaintop experience?

Take An Inventory

Our actions in the coming weeks will define our Easter experience this year. It can set the tone for the celebration for years to come – if we choose to allow it to!

Will we shrink back into the prison cell of life? Back into old, unhealthy habits? Or will we boldly choose to walk out of that death-filled tomb and into the light of Christ? There, fully exposing our grave clothes while acknowledging that we are new creations because of Jesus?

You may not realize it. You may even choose to ignore it, but struggling with porn and sexual addiction is contributing to a slow death.

Maybe it’s not seen by others from the outside, but you can feel it on the inside. You may volunteer in the community, lead the church, sing in the choir, and be an all around good guy or gal. But deep within yourself you recognize the voice that says “If they only knew….” Though you may try, you cannot silence it.

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You are not alone!

Covenant Eyes reports that 28,258 users are watching pornography every second. The highest percentages of subscriptions to pornography websites can be found in zip codes that seemingly have good people. They engage in volunteer opportunities, are eager to participate in community projects, and will even roll up their sleeve to donate blood to help preserve the lives of others.

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What’s Stopping You

So where is the disconnect? How can we be passionate about people, while being interested in the devaluing of our brothers and sisters through viewing porn? How can we serve our community proudly, appearing to be the epitome of success, while committing adultery with our eyes and in our hearts?

In John 12, one can read the account of Jesus arriving in Jerusalem. People lined the streets, openly praising and celebrating Him. These very same people would end up betraying Jesus within the same week. But how?

“Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue, for they loved human praise more than praise from God.” -John 12: 42-43

The answer is very clear in this verse – pride and fear.

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Sexual Addiction

Many remain silent because they don’t want to face discomfort, even if the silence proves harmful and destructive to others. More concern is given about what other people will think instead of trying to attain the pleasing nod of God. Fear keeps people stuck in the cycle of addiction. It seems unfathomable in today’s society to admit to struggles, abuse endured, or any thing that prohibits the picture of a perfect life.

And it’s not just within society! Even church-going people are afraid to admit to personal weaknesses. The church has gained the reputation of being a museum for saints instead of a recovery center for sinners.

I was born and raised in a small town in Pennsylvania, and recently one of the nearby communities made national headline news. A trusted and respected individual in the community was accused of molesting children. To make the story even worse, he was reviewed more than two decades ago after allegations surfaced.

The accusations were dismissed based on the fact that they seemed incongruous to his reputation. Many within the community rallied in support of him, believing that this person would never commit such heinous acts. Last year, the charges resurfaced and the person finally admitted to the molestation of generations of kids securing himself a life-time prison sentence.

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What if he had surrendered his pride and reached out for help before he spiraled out of control?

Choosing Freedom

When we surrender to Christ, we gain freedom. In our freedom, we can no longer be a factor in the pain and abuse that innocent people have to experience as a result of our sins. Instead, we receive the promotion to work for our Father in Heaven. He is the One who allowed His Son to be led to slaughter to defeat the schemes of hell once and for all.

As people stood to witness the crucifixion of Jesus, a darkness settled over the land. It lasted for hours, until Jesus breathed his last breath — for you and for me.

This Easter, will you make the choice to roll back the darkness that has been clouding your life? Are you ready, despite the lies of the enemy, to fully acknowledge and accept that your sins — even the secret ones that only you and God knows about — have been paid in full?

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It takes courage to outwardly admit to a struggle with sexual sin. It’s only through that courage that you can conquer fear and experience freedom. There may be consequences that will have to be dealt with. Positions may be lost, or there may be tension within the marriage.

Things may seem volatile for a period of time. Satan will even use this in his defense to keep you lured into his schemes. But God is able to do more than you can think, ask, or imagine if you simply trust Him. His promise is that He came to give us life, and life more abundantly. First, we must take back the power that we singlehandedly gave to Satan.

Confess Your Sins

Quit protecting the things that will destroy you, and instead courageously confess your sins to another brother or sister. Ask them to walk alongside you as you navigate the road that leads to healing and freedom through Jesus. Seek God to move the mountains in your life that only He can move. And remember, there are portions of your recovery journey that are up to you.

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While God has the authority to do so, He more than likely is not going to wave a magic wand and make all of your struggles disappear.

He is so in love with you, and is most concerned with your character — not your comfort. And He will use the things that He helps you gain freedom from so that you can breathe life into others who may be facing the same struggle.

Choose today to press into God with an unshakable fervency. As you decide to lay down your burdens, be willing to be proactive in your journey to live a life of purity, a life that honors God.

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The Conquer Series

For millions of individuals who have made the decision to embark on this journey, they have chosen the Conquer Series to be their starting point. This Biblically based, cinematic teaching has been helping countless small groups and individuals realize that they no longer have to remain captive to the enemy. Instead, they can wage war – and win!

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People all around the world are being encountered by God and are experiencing the life-saving truth that God brings life to the things that were once dead. One individual shared,

“After the first session of the Conquer Series I knew why the Holy Spirit had nudged me to attend……The Lord told me, “I have adopted you as my son.” So if God raised one of his sons from the dead, how would he not raise ALL of His sons from their dead. He has no favorites. His love will raise you from your grave of sin and put you back on the road of freedom.”

To help stay focused on this journey, and to apply what you are learning through the viewing of each video, consider using the interactive study guide and online journal. When you meditate on God, close your eyes and imagine locking eyes with Jesus — while sweat, blood, and tears drip off of His body as He hangs on the cross. And hear him whisper to your heart, “My son/my daughter, I love you and you’re worth it.”

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The cross wasn’t just to defeat select sins, but brought freedom from all sins once and for all to those who are willing to receive it.

Will today be the day that you finally bow in surrender?

It’s not too late to start your journey, regardless of your age. The remembrance of the sacrifice and free gift of salvation poured out to mankind is a great opportunity to allow yourself to be transformed from the inside out. Today is the day that you can choose to rise up and become more than a conqueror in Christ!