“My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19)

You see them at the Christian bookstore, in Sunday school, sitting next to you in the pew; you don’t realize it, but they are people hooked on masturbation, pornography, or illicit sex. They have strayed “from the truth,” and unless someone helps them get back on course, Scripture is clear that they will be destroyed.

A Slow Drift

What does the Bible tell us about this wayward soul? The writer of Hebrews likened him to a boat that has lost its moorings and is drifting down the river. (2:1) The Psalmist said he has wandered away from the commandments. (119:21) Jesus placed him among those who, “have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.” (Luke 8:13) Peter said, “having eyes full of adultery and that never cease from sin… forsaking the right way they have gone astray.” (2 Peter 2:14-15) They maintain “a form of religion” but have veered off course in their hearts.

Not only has this poor soul strayed from the Lord, but, in the process, he also has accumulated to his charge “a multitude of sins.” Search the depths of his heart and you will discover the evil desires he has been unwilling to relinquish. Peek into his inner being and you will find an unseen “world of iniquity.” Observe what he does when nobody is watching, and you will see a sordid and seedy life that will shock you.

Each and every day, since he turned away from the Living God, he has added to his guilt. Every month of every year the “Mount of Transgression” has grown larger. He has long since forgotten most of his sins— but Heaven has not. Every deed has been recorded with terrifying precision. He has consistently grieved, resisted and provoked the Holy Spirit.

Leading to Death

The Bible tells us that the ultimate penalty for this “multitude of sins” is the death of his soul. But what exactly does this mean? Charles Finney described one aspect of it:

“When my last child died, the struggle was long; O, it was fearfully protracted and agonizing; twenty-four hours in the agonies of dissolving nature! It made me wish I could not see it! But suppose it had continued till this time. I should long since have died myself under the anguish and nervous exhaustion of witnessing such a scene. Who would not cry out, ‘My God, cut it short, cut it short in mercy!’

“The figure of our text supposes an eternal dying. Suppose a poor man cannot die! He lingers in the death agony a month, a year, five years, ten years till all his friends are broken down, and fall into their graves under the insupportable horror of the scene: but still the poor man cannot die! He outlives one generation then another and another; one hundred years he is dying in mortal agony, and yet he comes no nearer to the end! What would you think of such a scene? It would still be a feeble illustration of the awful ‘second death!’”

Again, this refers to just one of many descriptive phrases concerning eternal separation from God. For example, who can truly comprehend Jesus’ meaning when He said that some would be sent into “outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth?” (Matthew 8:12) Or, what were the eternal implications of His warning that a sinner would be handed “over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed?” (Matthew 18:34) What about those who would hear the terrifying words, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels?” (Matthew 25:41) As if that’s not enough, consider the frightening conclusion inferred by each of these biblical phrases:

• “for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever;” (Jude 1:13)
• “they will be tormented day and night forever and ever;” (Revelation 20:10)
• “the wrath of God abides on him;” (John 3:36)
• “eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord.” (2 Thessalonians 1:9)

All of this and more must have been in James’ heart when he implored his readers to restore wayward souls. With the same passion, his brother, Jude, also urged his readers to save them, “snatching them out of the fire.” (Jude 1:22)

Getting Involved

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The grim realities expressed by these scriptural portraits should be sufficient to compel any sincere Christian to do everything within his power to redeem an errant soul from such a fate. And yet, let us not forget the positive aspects of such a deliverance. Not only is the sinner saved from hell, but he is saved into heaven!

Just imagine what awaits a restored sinner as he enters this enchanting paradise. One of his first experiences is to see his life played out before him on a “heavenly screen.” He sees the reality of the hell in which he lived and the eternal damnation from which he was rescued. Perhaps for the first time, he realizes the horrible and certain destruction from which he has been saved.

As he watches all that occurred in and around his life, the “movie” reveals how he fell away from God and into sinful rebellion. At the same time that was happening, he observes the many different times that a loving saint was earnestly praying on his behalf—that person was you. The next scene shows the moment when his life was turned around. He is reminded that you were the one who urgently shared a concern for his soul. He sees how you encouraged him along the way, reproved him when he wandered, and, above all, prayed for him throughout the process. He had no idea how much of a part you played in his restoration.

For seven long years, he waits for you to land upon the “shores of eternal bliss.” Finally, he hears of your entrance into the Celestial City and rushes to be the first to greet you. Overwhelmed with love and gratitude, he runs to embrace you, covering your face with kisses. “Do you realize what you have saved me from?” he almost demands. Without even waiting for a reply, he grabs your face and kisses you again. (There is no social awkwardness in heaven to prevent such displays of affection.)

Embarrassed, feeling as though you did very little, you protest, “You give me too much credit. It was the Lord who saved you.”

“Yes, but you were the one person concerned enough to help me get back on track,” he counters. “Where would I be today if you had not cared about me?” Again, more kisses.

Joy in God’s Work

Eventually, having escaped his outpouring of love, you too are brought before the Lord. Now it is your turn to watch your life played out. What you did for this one lost soul is shown before a vast multitude of angelic beings and redeemed souls. “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10) That joy and gratitude is now directed toward you. To them, you are every bit as much of a hero as a man who rushes into a burning house to save a child or a man who dives into icy, churning waters to save someone from drowning.

Your selfless actions are now to be honored by no less than God Himself. (I Corinthians 4:5) The earthly homage paid to Mordecai is a mere foreshadowing of what awaits you: “For the man whom the king desires to honor, let them bring a royal robe which the king has worn, and the horse on which the king has ridden, and on whose head a royal crown has been placed; and let the robe and the horse be handed over to one of the king’s most noble princes and let them array the man whom the king desires to honor and lead him on horseback through the city square, and proclaim before him, ‘Thus it shall be done to the man whom the king desires to honor.’” (Esther 6:7-9)

Among the varied works in which a Christian may involve himself, winning souls and restoring backsliders surely must be considered among the noblest. May the words of James to us serve as a sobering reminder of the preciousness of souls. As we strive to keep ourselves in the love of God, let us never underestimate the importance of intercession and restoration.

In the early morning hours of April 26, 1986, a testing error caused an explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in northern Ukraine.  A radioactive fire ensued and burned for 10 days, expelling 190 tons of toxic materials into the atmosphere. The explosion released 100 times the amount of radiation unleashed on Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined.

Over 7 million people were exposed to the deadly radioactive material, which in the course of time has revealed a staggering array of health concerns. The list includes thyroid cancer, leukemia, nervous system disorders, bone and muscle disorders, diabetes, birth defects, genetic mutations, cardiac abnormalities, and a variety of other and new forms of cancer. Also a large percent of the environment in which Chernobyl residents continue to live (i.e. the air, ground water, soil and food) is still contaminated—over twenty years later.

A common misconception is that only a few people died as a result of the Chernobyl disaster, yet the facts show different. Those who experienced acute exposure, which is a high dose of radiation over a short period of time, saw quicker results.  Approximately 134 power station workers were exposed to extremely high doses of radiation directly after the accident. About 31 of these people died within three months. Another 25,000 “liquidators” (i.e. the soldiers and firefighters who were involved in cleanup operations) have died since the disaster from diseases such as lung cancer, leukemia and cardiovascular disease. In the case of the millions of others who were and still are exposed to lower doses of radiation, the ramifications will be felt for decades to come.

Sexual Sin's Exposure

As tragic as that may seem, it pales in comparison to the enormity of another silent killer called sin, whose toxic cloud has overshadowed the whole of humanity in its hideous, cold and chilling death grip. Both man and the creation groan under its curse, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. (Rom. 8:20-22)

Sin is a poison that affects the whole human race. Sexual sin, in particular, is like a great fire that begins with a spark, and if left unchecked, devours everything in its path. It destroys the soul and burns to the lowest hell. The person who thinks he can live and continue to expose himself to the toxic fumes of lustful thinking, pornography, and infidelity and not be affected is sorely deceived and doesn’t realize that this inconspicuous killer is already at work, deep within his soul. The man who continues to expose himself to any kind of sin is basically throwing himself into a consuming fire that won’t relent until his whole body and soul are utterly destroyed.

“Can a man take fire to his bosom and his clothes not be burned?” (Prov 6:27)

The Bible clearly states that sin can manifest itself in the lives of people in many forms.  In Galatians, the apostle Paul makes a list of sinful deeds and what each one leads to: “adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal. 5:19-21) Most assuredly, unless a man is released from sin’s deadly exposure, the end result is not only a physical death, but everlasting ruin, where fallout will be felt throughout all eternity. The penalty of sin is as certain as the laws of nature, and far more terrible and destructive in its power.

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“Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” (Jas. 1:15-16)

Anyone who has a sight of the reality of his sexual sin and where it leads to, would be absolutely insane to even consider exposing himself to it again and again. It would be like asking someone to go and stand inside of the now sealed Chernobyl nuclear reactor, which is as hot as ever inside. We know because of science that would prove fatal. How much more should we reverence and obey the Word of God, which warns us that “the wages of sin is DEATH.”  (Rom. 6:23)

Sexual Sin's Effects

We were born in sin, and therefore, it affects every aspect of our lives. “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” (Psalm 51:5)   Millions die an eternal death every year due to sin’s toxic fumes. People basically go about life unaware of what is taking place deep down in their souls—even those who sit smugly in church pews week after week who’ve never truly repented of sin.

The psalmist describes sin’s affect on the human soul when he says, “When I kept silence [before I confessed], my bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long.” (Psalm 32:3) That is the reality of what is taking place in a man’s soul when he doesn’t confess and forsake his "pet sin" of masturbation or pornography but rather continues to live in it.

Those dealing with the aftermath of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl are at the mercy of scientists and doctors who are grappling with all the problems related to their exposure to radioactive material. Yet with the most advanced technology and human ingenuity, these men cannot break out of the circle of mankind’s fallen nature. Even if medical researchers could prolong some lives through medicine and technology, those affected will still die and face the consequence of a greater cancer of the soul if they don’t repent and turn to Jesus.

Sexual Sin's Cure

Thankfully, what man could not do, God has done through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, who took away the curse and penalty of all sin. God has enabled us to get outside of the circle of fallen nature where there is hope for the sin-sick soul. He has given us a living hope through the blood of Christ.  Praise the Lord for His divine healing power for the soul!

Confession and repentance pave the way to the cure for sexual sin. The light of God has come, which is like a divine x-ray of the soul, that reveals how and where we are exposing our soul to sin’s deadly influence. When that light comes through His word, by His Spirit, or through one of His saints, the first thing we must do is acknowledge our sin and confess it before God and man.

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1Jo 1:7-9)

“Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil. It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones.” (Prov 3:7-8)

The tremendous hope we have is that we can turn from our sin to God at anytime. We don’t have to succumb to the deadly influence of sin. Confession opens the door to life and the fear and worship of God is what enables us to walk in “newness of life.” A lifestyle centered on loving God and being a doer of His word, will expose us to His divine presence, which in turn will shelter us from sin’s lethal exposure.

God is always calling sinners to repentance. He can see the danger we are in, every minute we allow ourselves to continue in sin. We can’t afford to live one more moment under its influence.  It’s a matter of life or death! “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts!” God desires that all would come to repentance. He doesn’t delight in the death of one sinner.

The title above expresses the unspoken mantra that drives much of our Church world. The mindset is that God’s elite are those who accomplish big and visible results. This often leaves “ordinary believers” feeling as though their lives don’t really matter.

The truth is that this man-centered, superstar-driven mentality is “from the world.” We have our iconic celebrities, talented musicians, gifted writers, ingratiating media personalities just like the world does. The unspoken inference is that the important people in God’s Kingdom are those who have achieved fame and fortune. Not only does this “success-is-everything” mentality create a system that is ripe for slick-talking, ear-tickling charlatans, but it also leaves laypeople feeling as if their efforts to please the Lord don’t mean much.

My personal opinion is that many of the accomplishments of famous Christian leaders that seem so huge from a worldly perspective are overrated. I have been around enough famous Christians to realize that they are just people, and from God’s perspective, they aren’t much different from you and me.

One day each of us will stand before Jesus Christ where our lives will be examined. Our thoughts, motives, attitudes, words, deeds and everything else pertaining to the way we lived our lives will come under the all knowing, all seeing eye of the One who did it perfectly. I can assure you that Jesus Christ is not impressed with best-selling books or popular radio programs. He will be looking at the motives that drive people’s actions. In short, He will reward those who truly loved and served other people.

The disturbing reality is that talent has a lot more to do with advancement in the American Church than does godly character. In fact, some of its biggest stars are the most prideful and self-centered people in the Church. I say that because outward success tends to foster pride and selfishness in the best of folks. Fame has ruined more men of God than we can imagine. I know because it could have easily ruined me.

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Within the first couple of years of ministry, I had shared my testimony before millions of viewers on The Oprah Winfrey Show and other national media programs. Where does a young minister go from that heady beginning? I’ll tell you where: down!

Let me make my point through a small incident that occurred recently when I found myself seated next to an elderly lady on a one-hour flight. I resisted my natural tendency to bury myself in a book and, instead, “got out of myself” and engaged her in conversation. She lit up when I began to ask her about her children. By the time we reached our destination—which was a layover for both of us—I had the whole “scoop” on her family. When we deboarded, I helped her find the gate for her next flight. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she hugged me and thanked me. Why? Simply because I took the time and made the effort to show her that I cared.

How does that insignificant incident compare to me sharing my testimony before millions of viewers? The truth is that when I appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, I was still very much full of myself and it has taken twenty-five years of being disciplined and humbled by God and being taught what the important issues are in His kingdom to get me to the point where I would take a genuine interest in a lonely old lady.

I believe this is where God is taking all of His people. Jesus said it all in Mark 9:35: “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” What this tells me is that the way to make a splash in God’s Kingdom is not to do something big and flashy, but to love and serve other people in your daily life. That’s the way to be first in God’s kingdom.

“Fools mock at sin.” (Proverbs 14:9)
“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.” (Proverbs 8:13)

The contrasting statements cited above bring to light the fact that mankind holds two extreme attitudes regarding sin. There are those who are flippant and careless about it. This hard-hearted mindset has become entrenched within them as they have minimized the evil nature of their sin, rationalized their disobedience and steeled themselves against the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit. They have little fear of sin because they have little fear of God.

Likewise, there are those, though few in number, who treat sin with the greatest sobriety. They understand its intoxicating appeal and powerful grip. Experience has taught them that indulging in sin brings dreadful consequences: separation from the presence of God, a carnal mindset, and hardness of heart. They fear sin because they fear God.

Sin… Our atmosphere is charged with it, our souls are stained by it, many around us are consumed with it, and the world is fueled by it. Its presence is overwhelming—even suffocating. Perhaps that’s why it’s so easy to justify our comparatively “little” sins such as indulging in sexual fantasy. Nonetheless, believers are expected to treat sin with the utmost abhorrence.

The Price of Sin

To get a better perspective on the nature of sin, consider what it was like when there was none. Before the Fall, there was no lust, lying, pride, selfishness, anger, hostility, or perversion. Adam and Eve lived in a pure, sin-free environment. These two were perfectly innocent until the day they broke that one commandment. Keep in mind; it wasn’t a huge sin such as becoming involved in debauchery or murder. They simply ate a piece of fruit that they had been told—with no explanation, mind you—they were not allowed to eat.

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Consider the price of that one decision. This nearly flawless couple was banished forever from the Garden. A global curse was unleashed filling the earth with thorns, poisonous plants, diseased soil and barren land. Far worse were the long-term consequences exacted upon mankind. Sickness and disease permeated the human race. Death stalked man. And worst of all, man’s inherent nature became predisposed toward desiring sin. For all intents and purposes, man joined in Satan’s rebellion against the Creator that day. All of this came out of one act of disobedience—ONE!

We Are Changed by Our Sins

In our day and age, when horrific wickedness abounds everywhere, it is tempting to consider our pet sins as trifling things. However, they are not a small matter in the eyes of a holy God. A man may be forgiven of the sin he has committed, but he still must face the consequences of his actions. Consider the fact that sin leaves a record imprinted upon the human soul. For instance, when a man indulges in masturbation (his “little sin”), he might think that he can “repent” of it and get on with his Christian life as if nothing happened. Actually, the sexual images he meditated on have etched themselves into his soul. Long after the act has been forgotten, that sin will continue to contaminate his being, warp his perspectives, and pollute his thinking. The Lord once said, “Although you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your iniquity is before Me.” (Jeremiah 2:22) He also said “With a diamond point it is engraved upon the tablet of their heart.” (Jeremiah 17:1)

God Does Not Forget Our Sins

Of even greater consequence is the fact that God does not forget our sins, either. Every thought, word and action—no matter how seemingly insignificant—is stored in His divine memory bank. Every single one of them! Jesus said, “Every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36) Yes, the Blood of Jesus washes away all repentant sin. It is cast into the “sea of forgetfulness.” But I’m not so sure that holds true for sins that are habitually indulged.

Sin not only exacts a tremendous toll on the one who commits it, but it cost God the life of His Son. Jesus Christ died a horrible death on the cross so people could be freed from the power of sin. It would be foolhardy to treat this lightly.

Vengeance Against Sin is God’s

It reminds me of a story about a vicious Mafia boss, John Gotti. His grandchild was playing in the front of his house one day. In the meantime, the next-door neighbor got in his car and began backing out of his driveway. To his horror, the little child had crawled behind his tire and was run over. This was certainly an accident, but it came as no surprise to law enforcement officers when the man was reported missing several months later. His body was never found. The underworld rumor mill claimed he was murdered on Gotti’s orders.

Now, the Lord is certainly kind, loving and full of grace—not to be compared with a ruthless man like John Gotti. And yet, I never want to forget the fact that He is also a God of holiness who does not wink at sin. The writer of Hebrews used frightening language to convey the danger of trivializing the price God paid at Calvary: “How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:29-31)

The inescapable truth is that sin is extremely dangerous. Considering its effects and consequences, only a fool would blow it off as a trifling matter. Make light of sin? I for one am determined to treat it for what it is: my mortal enemy.

To the Israelites, the Promised Land was a physical place, “a land flowing with milk and honey.” Spiritually, the Promised Land was a place of peace and rest and joy, a place where God’s richest blessings would flow in abundance.

To one caught up in the addiction of sexual sin or some other life-dominating sin, such a place may seem like a mirage, or perhaps even a delusion. But because of the work Jesus did for us on the Cross, this same spiritual place is promised to us and is available to us.

We are all familiar with the biblical account. God’s chosen people, the “apple of his eye,” are enslaved for generations. But God reveals his heart to Moses, saying, “I have surely seen the oppression of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry,” (Exodus 3:7) and intervenes in a mighty and decisive way to rescue them from the bondage of their captors. He leads them into the wilderness to prepare them, and then sets them out on their journey to the Promised Land.

So it is with the men and women who seek deliverance from the bondage of sexual sin. God sees the oppression of His people, those “having been taken captive by the enemy do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:26) Because of His great love, He intervenes in their lives and leads them into the “wilderness” to prepare them for their personal journey to the Promised Land.

The comparison becomes even more striking when one studies the many lessons the Lord had to teach the Israelites along the way, critically important lessons for any believer who sets out for the Promised Land.

Let the Lord Choose the Road

“Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, ‘Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.’ So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 13:17-18)

The Lord went as far as providing a “pillar of cloud” to move by day, leading them in their journey literally every step of the way. What a beautiful picture of the Lord’s care for His people! I assure you, He still wants to guide your every step in the same way.

Furthermore, the Lord understands what we can handle. “For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:14) Paul assures us, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

It is for our own good that God will often take us on a much longer route to bring us somewhere spiritually. In our impatience, we invariably try to find a different, faster route. Many men have balked at the Lord’s choice of coming to the Pure Life Ministries Residential Program to deal with their sexual sin. Spending 9 months at the campus in Kentucky seems impossibly long and unnecessarily drastic.  “Surely, Lord, there is a shorter road for me,” they insist. I only wish you could hear their testimonies later when they chide themselves, “Why did I wait so long? Why did I try so many dead-end roads before trusting the Lord to choose for me?”

Steve Gallagher warns in At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry:

“In today’s microwave society, in which people get cured of their ailments quickly, we have become accustomed to expecting immediate results for everything we desire. As a result, people get impatient with God’s timetable.”

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Always Remember

“On the fifteenth day of the second month after they departed from the land of Egypt, then the whole congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness” (Exodus 16:1-2). Suddenly, the now-hungry Israelites forgot the miracle of their rescue and longed for the times in Egypt “when we sat by the pots of meat and when we ate bread to the full!” (Exodus 16:3)

Nearly all the men who come to Pure Life Ministries for help are in anguish and despair. Many are overwhelmed by guilt, and some are dealing with thoughts of suicide. Not too long into the program, however, they begin to experience hope and see a new life on the horizon. Their past starts to fade. The Lord immerses them in the process of building and testing their faith. But then, when the going gets tough, they start to long for the pleasures of their past life. It’s amazing how easy it is to forget the misery that haunted them there.

The Lord repeatedly had to admonish the Israelites to remember the oppression of their slavery and His mighty works to rescue them. “You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of  Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this thing today.” (Deuteronomy 15:15)

It is so with all of us, that tendency to forget what the Lord has done for us and to look back, longingly and unrealistically to our past lives.

Only One Day of Manna at a Time

The Lord responded sympathetically to the murmuring of His people: “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.” (Exodus 16:4)

The road to the Promised Land often seems impossibly long and arduous to anyone trying to recover from a life-controlling sin. Such a person often prays for immediate deliverance, but a miraculous, instantaneous deliverance is rarely the Lord’s way.

Early on in my own journey, I remember going to a staff member at the Ministry for encouragement to keep going. I will never forget his response, “The Lord only gives us one day of grace at a time. Don’t worry about tomorrow.”

Jesus said the same thing, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)

Daily, quality time in God’s Word and in communion and prayer with Him is essential to appropriating this daily grace. This is what we teach the men and women in our counseling programs and this is what we pass on to all who are serious about making it to the Promised Land.

The Lord Provides the Victory

“And Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.’ So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.” (Exodus 17:9-12)

Over and over again, the Lord proved faithful to His people in battle. Yet, the Israelites had a tough time walking in that faith against their enemies—so much so that at Jericho, the very entrance into the Promised Land, an entire generation lost their chance to go in because of weak faith. It cost an entire nation forty more years in the wilderness.

There is only one road to the Promised Land, and it takes us through enemy territory. It takes us through trials and sufferings and testings of our faith, so that He can be glorified and we “may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:3)  I think of the faith of David when he confronted the giant Goliath, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45)

We all face our own giants on the way to the Promised Land, whether they appear as a besetting sin, problems in our marriages and families, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles to ministry. We must understand that the roots of all the obstacles we face are spiritual: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Only the Lord of hosts can win these battles.

Friend, are you on the Road to the Promised Land? Are the fruits of repentance visible in your life? Are you cultivating the fruit of the Spirit so that others may “taste and see that the Lord is good”?

The sad fact is, most of us are barely getting by, and the Promised Land is not even in view. Some of you have been on that road but have lost your way. The Lord so wanted to bless the Israelites, and He ardently desires to bless you. Will you let Him? Simply believe—and watch the incredible journey unfold right before your eyes!

I was molested when I was younger and feel drawn towards strong men. I don’t want to tell my pastor because I am afraid he’ll throw me out. What can I do?

Your question raises two separate but equally important issues. When a boy is molested, it can create an inner compulsion that may develop into homosexual lust later on in life. However, the important issue is not how it began but how a person responds to that desire. In my book, Counseling the Sexual Addict, I addressed this issue:

“Regardless of what causes homosexual lust to develop, a person still has a choice as to whether he will give himself over to it or not. As I have stated earlier, every one of us is predisposed toward some sin. James said, ‘But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.’ (James 1:14) There are a myriad of sins and countless different lusts to provoke them. Sexual lust is only one of many. Consequently, the origin of the homosexual desire isn’t the key issue. People who have a bent toward homosexuality must resist those desires of the flesh, repent of their sin, and commit themselves to living in obedience to God’s Word just as a person who struggles with any other life-dominating sin.”  

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As a person matures spiritually and draws nearer to God, he finds that the temptation to sin loses its power. Any sexual fantasy that is regularly entertained or acted upon will become ever greater in a person’s heart. Likewise, when a person does his best to turn away from that lust and turn toward the Lord, he will find that the fantasy will diminish. “If you walk in the Spirit you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh,” Paul said. It is very true.

The other thing I wanted to mention is your relationship with your pastor. It is extremely important that you open yourself up to him. If he would kick you out of his church because you have a struggle like this, you are in the wrong church. However, I think you will find that if you will share your struggles with him, he will prove to be a man who has compassion for your situation. The enemy is keenly aware that if you don’t open up to others, you remain very vulnerable to his temptations. But if you will open up to another believer, you will find a great deal of help in your struggles.

I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have heard a heart-broken wife exclaim, “I thought I knew my husband! I just found out that he has been living a total lie our entire married life!” Their words always provoke a wave of empathy in me. These women know me only as a counselor, but I have been in their shoes. I used to feel the same way they do after I first learned of my husband, Jeff’s sexual addiction. And I know that sooner or later these wives will also have to face the difficult issue of beginning to trust their husband again. They’ll turn to me with pleading eyes and ask me, “Is it really safe to trust him? How can I know that he won’t deceive me again?”

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Without a doubt, it is very difficult for a wife to know when she can begin trusting her husband again after sexual sin has devastated their marriage. As I worked through this issue years ago, the fruits that I saw manifested in Jeff’s life were the key factor that helped me with trusting him again. I found biblical guidance on what to look for in I John 1:5-9:

"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

The answer to how a wife can know it is safe to trust her husband again is found in this passage.

One of the ways God began to rebuild trust back into our marriage was to show me the truth of the phrase, “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” My focus needed to be on God and who He is, not on what my husband may or may not do. The reality that God is light and that He would expose any darkness in my husband’s life was a comfort to me as I journeyed out into these new uncharted waters. I knew I could go to God in prayer on behalf of my husband and trust that as I saw Jeff seek the Lord every day that He would be faithful to expose any darkness that needed to be brought to the surface in his life. This reality gave me a great sense of peace, especially when my husband felt God was leading him in a certain direction. I could trust God to expose wrong motives or desires of his heart and to bring correction when correction was needed in his life.

Two Qualities to Look for in Your Husband:

1. Is there evidence of sincere Honesty?

Honesty was a key that God used to open the door of my heart to trusting Jeff again. I John 1:6 states, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” As my husband began walking in truth (honesty) with me and with his spiritual leaders, I saw that he was a man who could be trusted. He wasn’t hiding anything from me or others any longer. Although I’m sure it was difficult for him, he was willing to be an open book and let everyone see what was written within.

It’s really amazing how the Lord used my husband’s honesty to rebuild security within my marriage. Jeff shared his struggles–including his sexual temptations—his fears and his insecurities, and that actually made me feel very secure in our marriage. There wasn’t any fear in what I was hearing because for the first time in our married life, I knew who my husband was. I knew all. He no longer held up a facade by trying to be something he was not. No longer in darkness, no longer lying, he was practicing truth, and that was a clear indicator that he was in fellowship with the Father. When a wife sees this kind of transparency in her husband, she can know that they are well on their way to allowing God to re-establish trust in their marriage.

2. Is there evidence of practical Humility?

Humility was the other attribute that the Lord used to build trust back into our marriage. I John 1:9 teaches that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” In order to walk in this way, one must humble himself before God and others. When I saw my husband humbly take correction from others and willingly admit when he was wrong, I knew he was a man who could be trusted. This was a major change for a man who had been defensive, argumentative, unwilling to receive correction, protective of himself at all costs and unwilling to admit fault. Although I still had to overcome some of my own fears and anxieties, I knew I could trust the Lord to lead and guide my husband as the spiritual head of our marriage. The new level of honesty and humility I saw in Jeff gave me the confidence to let down my guard and allow the Lord to restore my ability to trust him again.

It is my prayer that wives will be encouraged by these words today. Despite what many may say, it is possible to have trust rebuilt back into a marriage, even one that was utterly destroyed by sexual sin. As a counselor, however, I often have to tell wives, “Be patient. Trust isn’t rebuilt overnight.” As I know well from personal experience, rebuilding trust is a process and it will take some time. However, as you see the above characteristics emerging in your husband’s life, be encouraged. In time, you too will be amazed at how God completely restores trust in your marriage.

It was the summer of 2003, and I had tickets for one of the hottest rock concerts of the season. Prior to the show, I was sitting in a local restaurant with a young man with whom I had been in a clandestine homosexual relationship for several months.

He did not know my true identity. He could hardly have imagined that the man with whom he was involved was a prominent “pro-family” spokesperson promoting the Christian perspective on homosexuality and opposing the “gay” political movement.

I had also neglected to inform him that I had been HIV positive since 1986.

During dinner, our conversation unexpectedly shifted to what the Bible says about homosexuality. Despite the obvious hypocrisy, I didn’t hesitate to tell him that the Bible clearly condemns homosexual acts. To that he responded, “Well, I don’t believe everything in the Bible.” Without even flinching, I challenged his statement, “How then can you say you believe in Jesus, when everything you know of Him comes from the Bible?”

His response was like a dagger piercing my heart, “What do YOU know about Jesus? Look how you’re living YOUR  life!”

God was speaking to me through that young man. His declaration was a stinging rebuke of the woeful direction my life had taken.

The events of that night also served as a harbinger of the public exposure and humiliation that awaited me. Within a month, his friends recognized me, and news of my double life quickly captivated the media. My days of public ministry were over.

Almost a year passed before I started coming to terms with what had happened. Despite years of religious service and unfettered zeal for promoting morality, the way I was actually living my life testified to the fact that I knew very little of true religion or morality. The truth is, I was “dancing with the devil,” adorned in a cloak of Christian garb that fooled most of the people, most of the time—even me.

How could I have arrived at so desperate a spiritual condition?

Morality and Ministry Did Not Save Me

To be sure, my journey with the Lord didn’t start out this way. After living in the “gay” community for over a decade and testing positive for HIV in 1986, I had gained some understanding of what the Bible means when it says, “…the way of the transgressor is hard.” Proverbs 13:15b. I finally walked away from the “gay” community in 1988 and made a conscious choice to seek and serve the Lord.

I can see now what caused me to fall again back into sin. I can see now that I was not truly repentant. I can see now that my greatest obstacle to repentance was a lack of what the Bible describes as “poverty of spirit.”

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Jesus teaches in the very first Beatitude, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

Simply stated, poverty of spirit is agreement with what God has said to be true about our condition: that in us there is no good thing and that we do not have what we need for life and godliness in ourselves.

The evidence of this lack emerged shortly after I made the choice to leave the “gay” community. In my mind, homosexuality was THE big sin separating me from God. The mistaken belief that God is only requiring us to clean up a few outward behaviors allowed me to mask all the corrupting motives and attitudes that still lurked in my heart.

Jesus alluded to this error when he challenged the Pharisees, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisees! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” Matthew 23:25-26

The work of the ministry and the public accolades that came with it exacerbated an already inflated view I had of myself. Rather than depending on His righteousness, I saw only my own goodness which I justified by my willingness to give up homosexuality and work tireless hours in ministry.

It wasn’t long before I found myself constantly looking down on others who either didn’t agree with me or did not meet up to the high standards I thought I had attained.

We can see an example of this attitude in the parable Jesus told about the Pharisee and tax collector who went to the temple to pray. The Pharisee thanked God that he wasn’t like the “other men” and then went on to justify himself because of his religious activities. The tax collector stood at a distance, beat his breast and cried out, “God have mercy on me a sinner!” The tax collector, Jesus said, went away justified.

In Matthew 7, Jesus gave one of the most sobering warnings in all of scripture.  “Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'  And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'” Jesus wasn’t speaking of those who are outside the church but inside, whose hearts belong to another.

If you had suggested to me then that Jesus could have been talking about me, I would have bristled at the thought. After all, I was fighting homosexual activists, I knew the Romans Road by heart, and said the sinner’s prayer when I was ten…I believed in Jesus!

This is not the kind of reaction you see in a man who is poor in spirit. Rather, it’s the kind of reaction you see in a man full of self: self-righteousness, self-effort, and self-reliance.

Only Jesus Saves

In the book of Hosea, God told the prophet to go and take an adulterous wife who would represent the condition of unfaithful Israel. Again and again, God blessed the people and repeatedly they became proud and turned from Him.

We see God’s heart again as Jesus wept over Jerusalem, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” Luke 13:34-35

He weeps still for the countless souls who started out with a sincere desire to know Him, but who, along the way, turned to another. He longs for them to return.

Some might say as I often did, “I have gone too far and my heart has grown too cold. He could not still love me.” But, my friend, I can testify to you from my own life that Jesus stands with an outstretched hand to those who will humble themselves and respond.

Cassie is the object of ridicule in her junior high school because she is overweight and has body odor. Her peers are unaware that she is subconsciously making herself unattractive to her stepfather who has been molesting her for the past three years.

At age 12 Jimmy is already abusing drugs and getting in trouble at school. His schoolmates are fearful of his violent temper. Jimmy’s deep-seated anger stems from being molested by his uncle.

Much too young to be thinking of such things, 13-year-old Beth has already had sex with a number of boys from school. Following in the footsteps of her older sister, who was also molested by their stepfather and is now a stripper, she has learned to attract boys by wearing revealing clothes.

Heather lives in a constant state of fear and is riddled with guilt. Her daddy has been molesting her off and on for the past five years. On a number of occasions he has told her that if she ever reports him that he’ll be thrown in jail. Consequently, she keeps it a secret and bears the responsibility of keeping the family unit intact.

Seventeen-year-old Ben has become cold and sullen. He puts up walls, refusing to make himself vulnerable to others. He also suffers from insomnia because nighttime was when his older stepbrother used to slip into his room to molest him.

Unquestionably, sin destroys lives. Perhaps there is no sin that leaves such devastation in its wake as that of child abuse. Long after an offender has indulged his perverted fantasies, the effects of his actions continue to haunt the child. One moment of lust can produce a lifetime of anguish for the molested child.

First Response

When you—the counselor—begin dealing with a child or teenage abuse victim, there are several things to address. Your first priority must be to ensure that the young person is safe from any further abuse. Research studies have concluded that approximately 60% of children are re-abused and subsequent incidents are even more serious.

Typically when cases are reported, the sexual offender is ordered to leave the home and is not allowed to have unsupervised visits with the child. However, there are instances where the children are forced to leave the home, rather than the offender, causing them to feel as though they are the ones being punished. When this happens, it’s important to communicate to them exactly what is going on and why. It can be very overwhelming for any child to be suddenly taken away from everything he’s known and then thrust into an unfamiliar environment.

Once it has been determined that a child has been molested—especially in the case of penetration—he or she should receive a comprehensive physical examination immediately. You may cringe at the thought of the child being forced to endure such a thing, but it is absolutely necessary to have a medical doctor determine if there’s been any physical damage so the victim can be promptly treated. If there is no injury, you can reassure the child that everything is okay physically.

In many instances, the courts become involved and the offender is sent to jail. When this happens, the youngster will need your emotional and spiritual support throughout the legal process. You can set the child’s mind at rest—that he or she is now safe without overstating it. One of the worst things that can happen to a child is to be led to believe that the abuser is gone forever, only to show up after his six-month stint in jail. While you want to comfort and allay the victim’s fears, be honest and explain this possibility to him or her.  Help the child to understand that the arrest and the criminal proceedings that will follow are a direct result of the offender’s actions. Keep in mind that a child often feels enormous guilt for reporting the abuse, especially after the abuser is sent to jail.

Moreover, the child will probably be interviewed by social workers, child protection officials, attorneys and law enforcement officers and be required to describe the abuse in detail to perfect strangers repeatedly. The help of a loving counselor can be a real support to the child through this entire ordeal.

Ongoing Counseling

Surviving the judicial process is only the beginning. As indicated in the examples above, there is much emotional damage done to the sexually abused victim that must be addressed. You must diligently seek to establish a rapport with the child whose trust and respect for adults has been shattered. While it is good for you to demonstrate love to the child (i.e. giving them a hug), you should always ask permission before touching the child in any way.

Along with instilling trust, respect for authority must also be reestablished. This requires patient, loving instruction. Avoid falling into humanistic pity which does nothing more than empower the child to use his or her newfound “victim” status for selfish purposes. The wise counselor will show love and encouragement but will never allow a child to control the relationship or use it as a way to manipulate others.

As the proper relationship between you and the child is formed, you can now begin to address other deep-seated issues resulting from the abuse. Fear is perhaps the most common reaction a child abuse victim will face. There is a place for proper fear and a healthy respect for danger. However, when a child becomes preoccupied with the idea that someone may harm him or her and protecting self becomes an obsession, it is displeasing to God. An effective biblical counselor will patiently show the child that being preoccupied with oneself can be sinful and that it would be much better to focus one’s thoughts upon pleasing God.

Another common emotional reaction manifested in abused children is anger, which ranges from seething bitterness, to depression, to rebellion, or even to explosive rage. The offender is typically the main object of the child’s anger. However, it is not uncommon for the youngster to be angry with the mother for not doing more to protect him or her. Some even get mad at God for allowing the abuse to occur in the first place. It is extremely important that the child be taught to handle his or her feelings in a biblical way. The story of how Joseph’s brothers mistreated him and the way he responded is a wonderful illustration of the proper biblical response. This will help the victim to see that, even though people may attempt to harm us, we have a sovereign God watching over everything that occurs in our lives, and He knows how to bring good out of the worst of situations.

You must instruct the child that it is wrong to repay evil for evil and that God expects Christians to overcome evil by doing good. (Romans 12:21) The importance of the New Testament concept of forgiveness must also be emphasized. True forgiveness occurs when the victim commits himself not to dwell on the offense in his mind and not to bring it up again to the offender or to others. This doesn’t mean that the child can’t work through the feelings of it in the positive setting of a counseling session or be honest in criminal proceedings. It simply means that they agree to do their best not to hold onto it as a means of vengeance.

Another typical feeling the child will have to deal with is guilt. Some children feel as though they have betrayed a trust by disclosing what has happened to them. Others will feel shame over what they have done, even though they did nothing to initiate it. This becomes especially true when they experience physical pleasure as their bodies respond the way God created them to respond. However, even though the perpetrators are 100% at fault for everything that has occurred, young people sometimes do have things that they are legitimately at fault about. As the counselor, it is important for you to understand that guilt is not primarily a feeling; it is culpability for a violation of God’s Word. If, for instance, the victim is a young teenage girl and she eventually gets to the place where she begins craving the physical attention she has been receiving, it is right for her to experience a sense of guilt over her actions. Or if the young person has developed hatred for the abuser, he or she must repent of this attitude and forgive him. As a biblical counselor you must help the young counselee distinguish between true and false guilt.

It’s not difficult to see that the victim of child abuse has a lot of issues to work through. However, a loving, godly counselor can help to minimize the negative effects—such as depression, anxiety, paralyzing fear, paranoia, and etc—of the molestation and steer the victim away from a self-destructive path of habitual sin. What a joy it is for the counselor to comfort young victims and help them to respond in a way that pleases God!

“I have been buying pornography and going to massage parlors.” His announcement left me stunned and angry because he had been lying to me for the past 18 months. The only reason he was telling me the truth now was that his wife had caught him. I had poured out my life to this man! Then I found that his self-reports were all bogus. How could he have done this to me – me the great friend, the great counselor, the sacrificial servant?!

Thankfully, the Spirit didn’t leave me there, no matter how much I wanted to persist in my self-righteous anger. Over the next few hours some other questions emerged. Why was I so concerned about me when my friend was in such dangerous bondage? Why didn’t I first think about the effects on his wife? Why wasn’t I grateful that the Spirit brought light into the darkness? Was I actually angry that other people might find out that I had been the gullible fool? Why was my initial reaction all about me?

After personal repentance and regaining my spiritual equilibrium my mind went to the nature of lies, and I have been musing about them ever since. Lies are the close companion of all sexual sin. If there is sexual sin there will be lies. It is a basic spiritual principle. No exceptions. Therefore, if we want to be helpful to someone who struggles with sexual sin we should get up to speed on what God says about lies.

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There are only two languages in the cosmos: truth or falsehood. The Kingdom of Heaven proclaims the Truth – Jesus Christ – with the truth. The Kingdom of Darkness speaks lies in honor and imitation of the Father of Lies. If I had remembered this I wouldn’t have been angry with my friend. I would have been afraid for him. His language revealed that he preferred, at least for a time, a kingdom in which the agenda was his death. My counter should have been to pray, wrap the truth in love and try to woo him back to the Kingdom of Christ. Lifeguards don’t get angry at someone who is drowning. Instead, they invest all their efforts into trying to save that person.

Among all the questions that could be asked of Scripture regarding lies, consider just one. How can we as pastors and counselors create a context where the truth can be spoken? That doesn’t mean that the truth always will be spoken, but how can we have relationships where we are alert to the dangers of lies and prize the truth. Here are a few ideas you might want to consider as you minister to those in sexual sin.

• Raise the issue early. Ask your counselee if he is going to lie when confronted with some uncomfortable truth.
• Speak personally about how falsehood will affect your relationship with him and how much honesty will be valued.
• Reveal the course of lies. Once we cover up it becomes easier to tell lies and harder to tell the truth. Sin feeds sin and blinds us to the beauty of God’s path.
• Remember that lies are easy and natural, especially when they have been practiced. Inveterate liars will lie even when the lie is worse than the truth.
• Talk about the purposes of lies. They hide shame. They make us more pleasing in the sight of others. They can even make us think that we are OK as we believe the lies that we tell.
• Talk about how the liar is aligning himself with the Kingdom of Darkness. Lies partner with darkness, hardness of heart, deceitful desires and lust.
• Watch your reactions. Make sure you don’t look shocked and disgusted when someone confides in you. Sometimes people lie because they get the clear message that the other person can’t handle the truth.
• Grow in the knowledge of God. Since Satan’s most prominent strategy is to raise questions about God’s goodness, be certain to keep the cross in view.
• Ask if there are things you can do to make it easier to speak the truth. We too are sinners so we need the prayer and ministry of others.
• Emphasize the victory involved when a person confesses sin without having to be caught. It is a reason to celebrate.

Did you know that Jesus gave His disciples authority to heal every disease except one? They were told to heal the sick, raise the dead and cast out demons, but there was one disease they could not heal; instead it had to be cleansed. That disease was leprosy.

Jesus made it clear that they were to cleanse the lepers. (Matthew 10:8) The word cleanse is the same word John used in his epistle when he wrote, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9 NKJV) While the majority of believers know that leprosy is a type of sin, few seem to realize that it usually typifies one specific sin—rebellion!

For instance, when Miriam went against Moses’ authority she was struck with leprosy and was excommunicated from the congregation for seven days. When Gehazi disobeyed his master, Elisha, he became a leper. King Uzziah usurped the rightful position of the priests by trying to offer incense to the Lord and was also smitten with leprosy.

Rebellion, like leprosy, spreads quickly—therefore the leper has to be isolated for the protection of the rest of God’s people. This had its counterpart in New Testament church discipline—a much needed but rarely practiced doctrine. For the leper to be “cleansed” he had to show himself to the priest—a sign of submission to authority. Submission and rebellion cannot coexist.

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Pornography and sexual sin have become huge problems in the modern Church, but I’m convinced that the deeper issue is the heart-rebellion that is making a way for believers to give over to sin in the first place. Until people truly learn to submit themselves to the lordship of Christ, this kind of problem will continue to surface. As long as Christians take a pick-and-choose approach to obedience, sexual sin will persist as a spiritual blight in the midst of God’s people.

So what is the answer for those in sexual sin? Those in its clutches must submit themselves to the High Priest Jesus, repent of their rebellion to His authority, and then they will be cleansed of the leprosy that has contaminated their souls.

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Many boxing fans consider Mohammed Ali to be the greatest fighter who ever lived. It wasn’t so much his boxing skills, which were exemplary; nor was it his knack of keeping opponents off-balance with a stinging jab; nor was it his capacity to take a punch. Ali had something inside him that only the great ones possess: a champion’s heart. He had a resolve to do whatever it took to win a fight.

One of the primary things Ali was known for was his conditioning: his willingness to push himself when he trained. Skill alone won’t win a fight. A good boxer knows that if he doesn’t conquer himself in the gym, he will never overcome his opponent in the ring. The loafer runs two miles rather than ten; he quits his workout when he gets tired; he picks sparring partners who aren’t a challenge. The fighter who has gotten into the habit of going the easy route has trained himself to be a loser. No matter how skilled he might be, when he gets into that ring, his lack of self-discipline and his unwillingness to suffer is going to become evident to all.

The truth is that boxing is the devil’s idea of fighting. The entire sport is built around pride, greed and violence. The boxer is trained to be merciless: Do unto the other guy before he does unto you. This is not the kind of fighting God takes pleasure in. No, it is precisely the opposite of this.

However, as is the case with the boxer, the believer’s real battle is fought out in the pre-fight conditioning period; in other words, in the daily grind of life. If he keeps himself conditioned spiritually, he will be able to withstand the assault of temptation “in the ring on fight day.”

The apostle Paul was certainly one of the greatest champions of the Christian faith the world has ever known. He constantly beat the devil because he had first conquered the daily temptation to live to please himself. He prayed. He fasted. He soaked himself in God’s Word. He gave his life away for the sake of others. He suffered deprivation, persecution and even belittlement by his own followers. He constantly fought the temptation to give in, to go with the flow, to live for self. Paul had the kind of champion’s heart that Muhammad Ali could never understand. “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called...” he told Timothy just before he was beheaded. (I Timothy 6:12)

Sluggards always do what is easiest. Visit any boxing gym in the country and you will find the “hangers-on” who will never amount to anything in the world of boxing. They aren’t willing to pay the price required to be a champion. They have trained themselves to quit when the going gets tough. One can only imagine how many extremely gifted fighters never made it to the top because they lacked the resolve—the champion’s heart—to win the battle no matter what the cost might be.

Every believer has the opportunity to make a name for himself in God’s Kingdom. Whether we like it or not, we are in the boxing realm of the kingdom of God. Many battles lay ahead of us. The question isn’t whether we will get into the ring or not, but what will happen when we do. One day, the great fighters will be recognized for their efforts. The Lord Himself will raise their hands and acknowledge their victories. For, you see, the Kingdom of Heaven isn’t built upon those who live a soft life of ease. No, its champions are the fighters: those who refused to go the easy route, refused to quit, and refused to be denied the victory.

The real champions are those who lay down their lives for the sake of others. Among Paul’s final recorded words are these:

I am already being poured out as a drink offering,
and the time of my departure has come.
I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the course,
I have kept the faith;
in the future there is laid up for me
the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge,
will award to me on that day;
and not only to me,
but also to all who have loved His appearing.
(2 Timothy 4:6-8)

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