Isaiah 35:8 The unclean wil not journey on it

• DAY 23 BIBLE READING

Phil 1- 1 Thess 5


• DAY 23 PRAYER DEVOTIONAL



Isaiah 35:8

Isaiah 35:8 SET APART – CLEANSED FROM THE LUSTS OF THE EYES

The lusts of the eye, the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life. These are the three basic sins in the garden of Eden, that Jesus was tempted with in the wilderness and that are referred to in I John 2:16. ‘ For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – come not from the Father but from the world.’ As we seek a more intimate prayer life as we seek the presence of the Lord, for revival in our personal prayer lives we need to separate ourselves from these sins.

In seeking to separate our selves from sexual uncleanness, it is helpful to recognize that when we are in a tempting situation, we need to acknowledge it and get out of it. Sexual sin begins with flirting with it. Often sexual sin begins in the mind. Control of your imagination is important. Actively switch off and choose to think pure thoughts. Find and develop a peer group of one or more members of the same sex with whom you can be honest. Flee temptation. Don't get into a counselling situation with the opposite sex. Be very wary of selfishly meeting your own emotional needs. Avoid the appearance of evil.

In sexual relationships, it is also helpful to recognize that romantic relationships are one specific type of relationship and that they are good in their place. God created romantic attraction. Just as we control how much we eat, eating a certain amount three times a day, we need to control how we relate to the opposite sex. God has provided ‘logical loving limits’. A very clear logical loving limit that God has provided is ‘no sex before marriage.’ God knows what is best for us. He made us. He is not a spoil-sport. He designed the intimacies and ecstasies of sex for the marriage relationship. God is not a restrictor but he is by nature a fulfiller.


• Thank you Lord for my sexuality. Thank you for who you created me to be. Help me to live a pure life. Show me how to journey on the highway of holiness, how to deal with tempting situations, how to flee evil and where appropriate to develop those peer relationships where I can be open and honest. I confess those sins of lusting with my eyes that you are bringing to my attention right now. I receive your forgiveness and I receive your cleansing. Thank you Lord.