PowerPoint - Apr. 21, 2009, Daily Word from Pastor Graham

PowerPoint - Apr. 21, 2009

April 21, 2009

Defeating lust

April 21, 2009

“You shall not commit adultery.”

--Exodus 20:14

Talking about a subject like adultery is unpleasant. It’s unpleasant because in our hearts, we know how dire the consequences of this sin really are.

What’s sad, though, is that as horrible as the consequences of adultery or sexual sin are, so many people… including Bible-believing, Christ-following people… continue to put themselves in a position to be tempted by the sin of adultery.

That’s why I want you to think about your day-to-day life. Think about the people you work with, the people you email with, or even the people you might Facebook with each day.

Is every relationship you have… whether it’s online or offline… aboveboard? Are your motives in each relationship pure?

First Corinthians chapter 10 tells us with any temptation, God provides a way of escape. And one way of escape he has given us is his Word. This is why I’m such a strong advocate of memorizing Scripture!

Because just trying to not think lustful thoughts really doesn’t do you any good. You and I have to replace bad thoughts with good thoughts. And the best thoughts you can put in your mind are God’s words.

So today, I want to help you start winning the battle against lust and sexual sin in your life by giving you a verse you can memorize. It’s 2 Corinthians 10:5, which says, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

So write that down. Second Corinthians 10:5. Learn it and memorize it. And the next time you’re tempted to lust… the next time you’re tempted to flirt… the next time you’re tempted to cross that line… repeat this verse in your head. You may even need to say it out loud! However you do it, use this verse to help you take every lustful, adulterous thought you have captive.

And trust me, the escape of God’s Word will protect you, your witness for Christ, and the godly relationships in your life.

YOU HAVE TO REPLACE BAD THOUGHTS WITH GOOD THOUGHTS. AND THE BEST THOUGHTS YOU CAN PUT IN YOUR MIND ARE GOD’S WORDS.

For more from PowerPoint Ministries and Dr. Jack Graham, please visit www.jackgraham.org
and
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OUR THANKS TO YOU!

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About PowerPoint

PowerPoint Ministries is the radio and television broadcast ministry of Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church — a nearly 37,000-member church with three campuses in the Dallas and North Texas region. Through PowerPoint Ministries, Dr. Graham offers practical, biblical steps on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.

About Jack Graham

Dr. Jack Graham serves as Senior Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, one of the nation’s largest, most dynamic congregations.

When Dr. Graham came to Prestonwood in 1989, the 8,000-member congregation responded enthusiastically to his straightforward message and powerful preaching style.

Now thriving with more than 57,000 members, Prestonwood continues to grow, reaching throughout the North Texas region. In 2006, the church launched a second location, the North Campus, in a burgeoning area 20 miles north of the Plano Campus. Prestonwood also has a flourishing Spanish-language ministry, Prestonwood en Español, which includes members from more than 20 nations. And Prestonwood.Live, the online community, draws worshippers from all over the world.
Dr. Graham is a noted author of numerous books, including the latest Reignite: Fresh Focus for an Enduring Faith. In this deeply personal book, Dr. Graham shares lessons he learned in the midst of crisis – offering insight on how to focus on Jesus even in the darkest days.

Other books include A Man of God: Essential Priorities for Every Man’s Life; Unseen: Angels, Satan, Heaven, Hell and Winning the Battle for Eternity; Angels: Who They Are, What They Do and Why It Matters; Powering Up: The Fulfillment and Fruit of a God-Fueled Life; and Courageous Parenting, written with his wife, Deb.

His passionate, biblical teaching is also seen and heard across the country and throughout the world on PowerPoint Ministries. Through broadcasts, online sermons and e-mail messages, Dr. Graham addresses relevant, everyday issues that are prevalent in our culture and strike a chord with audiences worldwide.

In October 2022, the Bible in a Year with Jack Graham podcast was launched in partnership with iHeartPodcasts and Pray.com, with a cinematic feel that brings the Bible to life. Within the first week of its release, the podcast reached the top spot on the Spotify religion list, and it has now surpassed 30 million downloads.

Dr. Graham has served as Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer and has helped lead various national prayer initiatives. He served as President of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the country with more than 14 million members.

He and Deb have three married children and eight grandchildren.