Free to Forget Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Free to Forget-------------------------------- Date: 10/25/2000 Keyword: "consequences" "forget" "lewdness" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passages: Ezekiel 23:35, 49 * 35. "Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Since you have forgotten me and thrust me behind your back, you must bear the consequences of your lewdness and prostitution." 49. "You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord." Questions 1. What are the consequences of time spent in pornography?   2. What have you done with God at the times you are visiting perverted Web sites?   3. Is God fair?   4. Why does he allow us to suffer?   Practical help There is a very simple principle of love stated here. Love does not protect the beloved from the consequences of his or her own actions. God's love for you does not mean he will take away the pain caused by your own sin. Why is that? It is because of the affront against his person, the lie you must believe when you are engaged in porn: "God is not really there." It is not possible for you to acknowledge God and be lewd simultaneously. So what about grace? Doesn't God forgive? Yes, he does. If he didn't, he'd probably be pretty lonely in eternity! And that is just what his forgiveness is for — eternity. As for here and now, our sin brings consequences, and those are for the purpose of teaching us who God is. Actually, these verses teach some very good skills of parenting. What mom or dad hasn't been frustrated trying to control the behavior of a son or daughter? God doesn't try to control us, and we shouldn't try to control our children. Rather, teach them that their behavior has consequences, and let them be free to choose. And while you're at it, learn the lesson yourself, and consider the consequences of that next mouse click. The consequences are to help us remember, but God always leaves us free to forget. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 2000 by eXXit *Scriptures are from The Holy Bible: New International Version © Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved.