“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”

1 Corinthians 10:13
Prisoners who have committed sex crimes are recommended for sex offender therapy. As a deputy warden interviewing these prisoners, I was sad to learn that many had been victims of sexual abuse themselves.
These sorts of offenses occur in the Bible, too. There is prostitution and deception with Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38). A ruler’s wife tries to seduce Joseph (Genesis 39). King David takes another man’s wife and has her husband killed (2 Samuel 11). In some ways, things haven’t changed much.
Our bodies are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” and God knows our every thought and desire. When we take someone’s body as though it were a possession, we violate their bodies and cross the boundaries of love.
Jesus knows our weakness. He knew temptation and gave us an example of how to resist it (Luke 4:1-13). He asked us to love Him with all our hearts and others as ourselves. Jesus forgives and embraces us. God loved David even though he strayed, and He forgave his grave sins. He will teach us, too, so that we learn to love Him and others.



Scripture Focus

Psalm 139

Insight

We, who have been created in God’s image, love each other imperfectly. We need the perfect, unending love of Jesus to wash over us.

Bible In A Year

  • Leviticus 1-2
  • Psalm 46
  • Luke 10

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