WEEK 8 CONCLUSION VICTORY IN YOUR HEART

SCRIPTURE:

Matthew 6:19-21 19 “Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Ecclesiastes 2:8-13 8 I also amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered male and female singers for myself, and many concubines, the delights of men. 9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me. 10 All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles.

11 When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun. 12 Then I turned to consider wisdom, madness, and folly, for what will the man be like who comes after the king? He will do what has already been done. 13 And I realized that there is an advantage to wisdom over folly, like the advantage of light over darkness.

Isaiah 44:9 9 All who make idols are nothing, and what they treasure does not profit. Their witnesses do not see or know anything, so they will be put to shame.

Psalm 101:2 2 …I will live with a heart of integrity in my house.

Proverbs 17:22 22 A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

1 Peter 3:3-4 3 Your beauty should not consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments or fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should consist of what is inside the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very valuable in God’s eyes.

This final lesson looks into the covenant of marriage, how it parallels Christ’s relationship with the church, God’s relationship with Israel, and more importantly, what captures our hearts. The workbook uses The Song of Solomon to illustrate this love which is both erotic and committed, physical and yet highly spiritualized. I believe that this is what God wants for us so that we have fulfilling lives together, not just time spent.

I am also convinced that, after writing the lessons, listening to the struggles of others, and considering my own short comings, there is good reason to be a covenant-based people. The purity aspect of this goes back to the image of God Himself, and our commandment to emulate Him so that we best reflect His image in this world: “Be holy because I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:13-16 13 Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be serious and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance. 15 But as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, Be holy because I am holy. (see Leviticus 12:45)

The covenant experience protects us, and allows us to flourish, without really giving up the best life has to offer … and without the guilt and shame associated with temptations we cannot resist. If we are going to yield to sexual temptation it is best to do so in the context of marriage. Even then we must consider the relationship and be sure our pleasure is not onesided or destructive.

What is the heart? It is the place of our deepest passion, profound longing and greatest love. If this sounds like Scripture it is probably because the same words are used to describe our healthiest relationship with God. “The Heart” is spiritual; it is your spiritual center, thus it does not reside solely in the organ of the cardiac muscle, even though that is where the feelings seem to be coming from. What captivates the heart captivates the mind, the intellect and the eye. So while we have been working from the outside in, it is now time to consider working from the inside out. Our heart is the true depth of us. It is where we connect to God. The heart is the spiritual self. Even a nonbeliever has a spiritual self that is not completely disconnected from God.

The heart regarded as the center of a person’s thoughts and emotions, especially love or compassion – The Oxford Dictionary

The center of the physical, mental, and spiritual life of humans. It is considered to be the [literal and physical] center of life. It became the focus for all of the vital functions of the body, including both the intellectual and spiritual life. Not only is the heart associated with the activities of the mind and the will, but it is also closely connected to the feelings and affections of a person. The heart is the dwelling place of God. It is our tabernacle, our holy of holies.

–The Holman Bible Dictionary

“Let’s talk about your innermost perimeter which is being consumed with God’s purpose to cherish your wife. If Christians were consumed by God’s purposes it would be reflected in our marriages. But the rates of divorce, adultery, and marital dissatisfaction in the Christian church reveal our hearts. We’ve known very few men consumed by their marriages, and fewer still consumed by purity, but both are God’s desire for you. God’s purpose for your marriage is that it parallels Christ’s relationship to His church, that you be one with your wife.”

–from chapter 17 in the text

“Everybody’s sin is nobody’s sin. ” This spectacular insight was taken from the movie Kinsey starring Liam Neeson. The line, though concise, embodies the mentality, and the inherent obstacles, that present themselves when we deal with human sexuality. I absolutely recommend the film even though it is rather graphic in both script and imagery.

What does the above statement mean to you in terms of your personal experience; and what effect does such an insight have on the world at large? Because sexual temptation is so widespread should we refuse to mount a defense against it? Should we simply give into our desires because they are “natural?” Should anything be off limits? What might be the consequences of satisfying every desire? These are questions we must answer.

The underlying theme that was being explored in the movie, was not the normalcy of any and all sexual activity between willing partners, but the delicacy and necessity of relationships which can be damaged by self-centered behavior. It is essential for human beings to be special and cared for by someone who is special in return. To say that we can have sex, and that it has no effect on the deeper emotional bonds, is a lie. Trust and faith, which are Godly domains, are critical to our well-being. We must consider the value of a relationship, which is by our definition for this study, a covenant.

QUESTIONS … TIME TO DIG IN

Are the eyes, mind and heart truly separate? Can these aspects of who we are really be compartmentalized; or are they integrated in ways that prevent us from focusing on just one of them and not the others, also? How does this integration affect our response to sexual imagery in everyday life?

Is “modifying” the truth ok? Why is modification of the truth a real danger in all areas of life? Let’s take it a step further: Is it even important to have one absolute truth?

What is the condition of your heart? Do you think it is healthier than it was 8 weeks ago? Are you having small victories over your personal behaviors, and your responses to “the scenery” of the world we live in? Can you describe briefly?

What is your definition of “purity” and how has that changed since we began the study?

From a sexual standpoint do you think “normal” is a completely relative term? Why do we need standards for sexual behavior, and for other behaviors, as well?

How would you explain this study to others … both men and women?

How can regular prayer help to keep us on track and in the heart of God’s will and purpose?

What additional subjects would you like to see covered in a study of this type? Would you like to see this study continued for a longer period of time?

How has the study helped your understanding of God and His will for your life? Has your Biblical understanding gained a more practical side that you can put into action each day?

Do you have a better understand of what “victory” means after studying our challenges, and having read Scripture over the last 7 weeks?

Finally … Has this study been a benefit to you? In what way (or ways) … and if not, why not? If we are to hold this again how can we make it more effective? Please be specific. You can contact me at seanlawrence@gatheringspirit.org or on Facebook at Sean Lawrence

Note: It is important that what we do makes sense, where we live, both in both our physical and our spiritual lives. As it is these aspects are inseparable this side of heaven, and we are men in a culture dominated by sex. In the end this is a study about God, about relationships, and about how we can best reflect His image of peace and well-being to a world in a tailspin.