Guardrails: Part 4

Communion Moment

Scripture: “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” - Psalm 145:3

Reflect: Sit in wonder of God’s greatness. Offer your heart to Him simply because He is God. Take a few quiet moments to pray.

Teaching Pastor: Todd Carter

“May you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love." - Proverbs 5:18-19 NIV

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame." - Genesis 2:24-25 NIV

"My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. They will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words. At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense. He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in." - Proverbs 7:1, 5-9 NIV

Guardrail #1: Create physical and emotional boundaries

Guardrail #2: Never have sleepovers or move in together before you're married

"Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute..." - Proverbs 7:10 NIV

"I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a woman." - Job 31:1 NIV

Guardrail #3: Turn off all access to pornography

"She took hold of him and kissed him." "I looked for you and have found you! I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. I have perfumed by bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon.” - Proverbs 7:13, 15b-20

Guardrail #4: When you feel your desire drifting towards someone, tell someone

“With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death." - Proverbs 7:21-27 NIV

God is willing to forgive you if you've stepped outside the circle

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." - John 3:17 NIV

I will create a guardrail to honor God's design for sex.