Whether my travels take me through the States, the Caribbean or South America, I am deeply concerned about youth today and the many inaccuracies, half-truths they are often told and truth which is often withheld enabling them to make clear and intelligent decisions with regard to human sexuality and more specifically, sexual expression.
The teenage years are a crucial period for the Church of Jesus Christ to speak to youth tempted by the various and numerous forms of sexual and relational brokenness.
I submit that society, and sometimes the Church, is unwittingly promoting social experiments and various behaviors with no justification in reality and, with all probability enabling inevitable serious moral problems with potentially tragic consequences.
In trying to ascertain the rightness or wrongness of any behavior or misguided identity, it seems to me the determining factor should be consequence, not cause. Or, have we become completely ambivalent about what is morally right?
Today, the many and various subcultures into which youth are being thrust, have high rates of depression, substance abuse, alcoholism, anonymous sex, and unsafe sex practices. Few teens possess the judgment and self-control to make wise decisions in such environments.
While I have met and continue to meet with youth who are determined to resolve the issues of their sexuality, most feel too inadequate, lack motivation and do not have an individual structured in their life to help them through the process of healing and wholeness.
Reaching youth struggling with their sexual identity is something we all can do and must do to help searching youth understand God’s abundant plans for their lives and to counteract misguided agendas that seek to ruin all hope for the youth. You and I may be the only person that will have the courage to share the Good News with a youth impacted by sexual and relational brokenness.
Practically speaking…
- Keep the consequence of sin in context. We have all fallen short of the glory of God.
- Accepting and loving a teenager without conditions has nothing to do with condoning their behavior/lifestyle.
- Offer to serve as an accountability and prayer partner.
- Clearly distinguish the difference between temptation and sin.
- Don’t overreact – be prepared for the “born that way” argument.
- You are not expected to have all the answers.
- Never, ever water down the Word of God.
- Be patient and trust God completely.
- Emphasize the key to overcoming sexual brokenness and sexual identity confusion is in Christ Jesus.
On the Cross, Jesus secured salvation for any and all who commit their lives to Him. At Calvary, Jesus’ blood put into effect the new covenant. He said, “It is finished.”
With that proclamation, anyone can now walk in the fullness of life that He intended and provides. All things are possible, as Jesus intercedes for us. Assuming our sin, shame and death, He declared, “It is finished,” which is a statement about an end. However, each end makes room for a wonderful and glorious new beginning.
While it is easy enough to become cynical about the times in which we live, remember when God is put in the equation of life, a hope that does not disappoint rises with us. It is true that the number of teens struggling with their sexuality has become alarming, but we should and must trust God and reach out to youth with the message of salvation and sexual redemption available through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries