Overcoming Sexual Sin — Zac Poonen

The Strength and Timing of Sexual Desire

Now, the most important area where we have to discipline ourselves is in the area of our sexual desire. And you know, all of you, at your age, you have that desire in your body. That's what makes you attracted towards the opposite sex.

That's what makes you want to look at a pretty girl. That's what makes you have a desire to see some dirty picture of a girl on the internet or in a cinema.

Or in a book. That desire is strong.

And that desire starts in a boy when he is 12 -13 years old. And the right way to fulfill it is in marriage. But you can't get married till when you are 12 or 13. You know, nowadays, you don't even get married till you are 27 or 28.

Because you have to have a job and support your family. Many people, even beyond 30, for at least 15 years, from the time you are 12 till 27,.

The Long Discipline Before Marriage

You have to control yourself in this area.

Now, you know, 6 and 7 year old children don't have these desires. So, when I was young, I asked the Lord this question. I said, why is it that you allow people to have this desire when they are 12 or 13 and they can't get married for another 15 years?

Why didn't you allow this desire to come up in a man only when he is 26 or something?

Why didn't you allow this desire to come up in a man only when he is 26 or 27?

That till the age of 26, he has no interest in girls. There will be no sexual passion in his body. So, in that area, till that age, we won't have any kind of desire. See, look at these 4 -5 year old boys, they are not even tempted.

Imagine if we could be like that till we are 26. Then we get married and the problem is solved. But the Lord said, the reason I have allowed it to come 15 to 20 years before you get married, is because I want you to conquer that desire before you get married.

Strong Desire and Becoming an Overcomer

The other question I asked the Lord is, why have you made it so strong a desire? We have other desires also in our body.

Like food, desire for food, desire for sleep.

These things are all a little more easy to conquer. But this desire for sex is so strong. And the Lord said, it's only when there is a strong desire that you can be a strong overcomer. If you don't have a strong desire, you won't be an overcomer.

And then you won't be what God wants you to be. So, God in His great wisdom, allows us as young boys to have this desire in us when we are 12 -13 years old. And doesn't allow us to get it fulfilled till we get married after 15 -16 years.

The Holy Spirit's Power for Self-Control

So, here is an area where you have to discipline yourself. And if you want to discipline yourself here, God can help you. You have to ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit. And to give you power to overcome this desire so that you don't sin.

And to overcome the habits that you can learn from other worldly young people. And to control your eyes. God wants to help you to control your eyes. In the book of Proverbs, it says that a person without self-control is like a city without any walls.

And in the book of Proverbs, it says that a person without self-control is like a city without any walls.

Self-Control as a Protective Wall

In the olden days, the walls of a city prevented the enemy from coming and conquering it. And so, if you don't have self-control in this area, your walls are broken down.

And the devil can come and destroy your life. The Bible says,.

The Fruit of the Spirit Is Self-Control

That the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. So, you can't control this without the power of the Holy Spirit. You know, I want to encourage all of you. If you really want to live a useful life for God on earth,.

If you really want to live a useful life for God on earth,.

Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit.