Welcome back, men! Join us this week for episode five in our Stormproof series, where we tackle what it looks like to achieve and maintain sexual purity in today's sex saturated culture.

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The PursueGOD Men's podcast helps guys apply God's Word to their lives to become full circle followers of Jesus. Join us for a new men's episode every other Thursday.

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Storms are going to come in our lives in our battle for purity. Are we preparing? Are we looking for warning signs? Are we fleeing? 

Connect with God 

It is critical to connect with God on a regular basis. Spiritual disciplines such as prayer and Bible study aren’t ends in themselves, but instead they equip us for living and for experiencing a close relationship with God.

Connect regularly with God

• Practices such as reading the Bible and prayer are not ends in themselves. Instead, they equip us for living and for experiencing a close relationship with God.
•  2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.  
• John Ortberg - There is an immense difference between training to do something and trying to do something. Respecting the distinction between training and merely trying is the key to transformation in every area of life.  
• God uses these disciplines to change us from the inside out. 
• Psalm 119:9-16 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. 10 I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands.11 I have hidden your word in my heart,  that I might not sin against you. 12 I praise you, O Lord;  teach me your decrees. 13 I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. 14 I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches.15 I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.16 I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.

Obstacles to reading 

• Guilt 
• Difficult to understand
• Choosing to read - love is a choice example from marriage basics 
• Nature of the Bible itself - spiritual warfare 

Prayer 

• God is a personal God. We are his children.  He is our father. Might be difficult for those of you who had a strained relationship with your father or whose father abandoned them or was present physically, but not emotionally. 
• God is a perfect father.  His judgment is always right.  He disciplines those he loves.  His discipline is just and appropriate. 
• God is God and we’re not.  Great reminder of our dependence on him.  He’s the creator. We’re the creation. 

Walking in the Spirit

• Flesh can not defeat flesh
• My efforts alone won’t produce Godliness. 
• Galatians 3:2-3 Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. 3 How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?
• Galatians 5:17 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 
• How do we walk in the Spirit? Bottom of page 111

Involve Others

Accountability only works when we invite someone in. We have to give them permission to ask the hard questions.  Mutual Encouragement 

Galatians 6:1-2 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer[a] is overcome by some sin, you who are godly[b] should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Perceptive trust - trust is earned - baby steps 

Praying for someone we’re helping, coveting he prayers of someone helping us

• Accountability only works when we invite someone in. We have to give them permission to ask the hard questions.  Mutual Encouragement 
• Galatians 6:1-2 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer[a] is overcome by some sin, you who are godly[b] should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
• Perceptive trust - trust is earned - baby steps 
• Praying for someone we’re helping, coveting he prayers of someone helping us