So how about that seminar???

Listen Here to Dr. Jackson's "Building Up the Hedges" Seminar

There are likely mixed feelings within our congregation coming off of our recent seminar led by Dr. Robert Jackson which presented our need to consider ways we can build up hedges of protection in the face of the intense sexual temptations that surround us each day. 

Some walked away from the seminar thinking, "That was so helpful and beneficial."  Others walked away thinking, "That was way too radical and unrealistic."  And others still thought, "That was too legalistic."  Hopefully, there is at least one consistent element across the various schools of thought on these issues and that being, that we are talking MORE about these issues we and our children are facing and that we are paying more attention to whether or not we have any hedges of protection at all built up around our lives and our homes.

Allow me to give a few thoughts regarding some of the potential questions and points of criticism that may have been raised from the seminar.

Are these types of seminars even necessary out here in Walnut Grove at Mt. Calvary Presbyterian Church?

The answer here is a resounding YES!  And actually, we need more of them and Lord willing we will have more of them.  Allow me to describe in general the issues of sexual sin that have plagued dear homes within our own church community within the last five years: sexual conversations and course joking, sexual dialogue via texting, email, myspace, facebook, etc, sexting pressure (pressure from "friends" to send fully or partially clothed pictures over cell phones), actual sexting activity, pressure to engage in casual sexual encounters (by friends), internet pornography (along with other forms of pornography),  sexual promiscuity, teen pregnancy, adultery, homosexuality and sexual abuse.  Perhaps after realizing what our own congregation has faced in recent years, then you too agree that we need to be having more and more conversations about how to deal with these intense and destructive issues.  And if you do not agree, then take heed, lest you (or your children) be the next to fall (1 Cor. 10:12).

Why did we have a Medical Doctor come and speak to us?

Dr. Jackson is first and foremost a God loving man.  His reputation through the years has been exemplary in regards to his relationship to Jesus, his love for and the shepherding of his family, his worship and service in Jesus' church and in his life's work in the field of medicine.  As a family Doctor, Jackson sees the effects more than most of us in regards to the devastation that sexual sins bring upon lives and families.  And in regards to shepherding children and homes, who can raise their hand and suggest they have more going on in life than a husband, father of nine, faithful servant in the church and medical Doctor?

Were his suggestions about hedges bordering on legalism or moralism?

Remember, so much of legalism really comes down to your own heart.  One's choice to glorify the Lord by having certain boundaries may be another's "list" of doing things in order to have favor with God or to feel righteous one's self.  Building up hedges in our lives for the glory of God and in order to walk wisely does not make us legalists.  "Doing things" for the sake of earning favor with God or to feel "good" about our standing before God makes us legalists.  We need to make sure theology is Biblical in regards to our views on sin, grace, salvation, favor with God and sanctification.  We also need to search our hearts and constantly pull up those weeds of self righteousness and legalism as well.  But please do not presume "legalism" upon a man who is seeking wisdom regarding ways to "flee sexual immorality." (1 Cor. 6:18)  And in regards to moralism, we all acknowledge that a part from the gospel of Jesus Christ, our seeking to be "good" in the area of sexuality is yet another "filthy rag" that will not purify us from all unrighteousness.  It is in Christ and Christ alone that we stand as the "righteous" and no matter how long we know Jesus, we never stop depending upon and resting in Him.  But now that we know Jesus, it is good, right and pleasing in His sight to do all we know to do in order to flee from sexual immorality.

OK...if not legalistic, then were some of the suggestions a bit too unrealistic?

This is where we all must ask the Lord for wisdom and discernment and we can be optimistic that He will give us those very things as we ask in faith (see James 1:5 and following).  Perhaps the "hedges" Dr. Jackson suggests are not the exact "hedges" you should build up.  But you certainly should ask the following questions: Why not those kinds of "hedges?"  What other hedges do I have in place to protect my own testimony, marriage, heart and mind in order to guard my life from falling into sexual sin?  What kind of hedges do I have in place to keep my children accountable and to help shepherd them as they navigate through this sexually saturated culture?  If you are asking those questions and seeking to respond and plan with Biblical wisdom, then praise the Lord...we are getting somewhere!

What about trusting our spouses and children?  It sounds like we should walk around suspicious of those we love most...what is up with that?

It has been said that trust is built over a lifetime and yet can be destroyed in one fleeting moment.  And oh how the most trustworthy of men and women have fallen.  Remember, Dr. Jackson began with a lesson on King David, the "man after God's own heart."  We could list for hours the overwhelming number of God loving people that have fallen into sexual sin.  That lists would include white collar workers, blue collar workers, pastors, elders, deacons, home makers and faithful husbands.  Sexual sin does not discriminate.  Be honest, if King David was not beyond falling into serious sexual sin; why in the world would we think we or our children are immune?

There is a difference between being suspicious and acknowledging what is true.  And the truth is that we are all sinners that battle sin constantly.  Remember, the apostle Paul wrote Romans 7:15-25 after Jesus saved him.  Jeremiah makes it clear that our hearts are deceitful above all things and desparately wicked (Jer. 17:9).  Proverbs 22:15 makes it clear that foolisness is bound up in the heart of a child.  Accountablity and hedges are necessary and beneficial.  Insisting on accountability for ourselves and our children is neither untrusting nor unloving; it is actually very loving and it is walking in the truth.  Your children should know that you need the same hedges and accountability as they.  We are all in this together. 

So what is your plan of accountability with those great but potentially destructive gadgets like cell phones and internet activity?  What is your plan of accountability for your time and the time of your children in regards to time with the opposite sex (or these days, same sex)?  What is your plan of accountability for those business trips, movies, or TV viewing?

Consider the following Biblical principles Dr. Jackson mentioned and discuss how you might apply them to the hedges you are buiding up as individuals and families.

How can you guard your heart, eyes, minds?

How can you avoid the appearance of evil?

In what ways do you need to flee sexual immorality?

How are you "one step away from stupid?"

What are potential "bad locations" for you to put yourself in?

What are your primary "bad companions" throughout the day that can corrupt your morals?

Our prayer is that more and more conversations are being stirred up within our church family regarding the dangers that are in our face and regarding ways that we might combat them.  And while there is no perfect plan, remember that if we aim at nothing, then we will hit it every time.  And actually, in regards to sexual sin, with no aims we will be hit hard ourselves.  Keep in mind also that our hearts struggle and that we will never be struggle-free until Glory.  But until then we fight the good fight of faith, and we shout out with the aposte Paul,

"Who will rescue me from this body of sin and death?  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"