Matthew 7:24-27
Matthew 7:24–27 (NKJV)
Parable of the Two Builders
Luke 6:47–49
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them [“put them into practice”(NIV) or “acts on them (NASB), I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
The road back to honesty, integrity and trust following sexual idolatry is wrought with promises, good intentions and noble efforts. However, when these are driven from a place of remorse, fear of losing valued relationships, or for the sake of “saving face”; meaningful and sustainable long-lasting results will rarely be achieved. This happens because we are results focused and not process focused.
When sexual immorality rises to the level of disclosure, revelation and admission; credible actions are demanded with the intent to terminate undesired behavior especially in a marital situation. The person enslaved (see Blog #10) is expected to cease (come to an end) and desist (stop the action). It is the process of “coming to an end” that we will focus upon for this blog.
I am a fan of anti-terrorism novels and I love the phrase “actionable intel”. When the good guys (FBI, CIA, Homeland Security, Policemen etc.) get information about pending attacks, the term “actionable intel” frequently surfaces. It means that someone has information that is bona fide (presented in good faith without deception) and therefore worthy of note and to take action.
What Jesus tells the disciple about the hearer who is a doer, is indeed “actionable intel” for the man of God or woman of God who is struggling to overcome sexual immorality. I love what God says here in Matthew 7 because God is focusing upon the process for success (obedience and submission) drive the results rather than the desired results drive the process. It’s akin to “paying forward” rather than “paying back”. Instead of telling God, “please get me out of this and I will never do it again”, we say “Lord, help me prepare for the schemes of the Devil”.
Oh, how easily it was to put viewing pornography into practice by fantasizing’s, acting-out, or acting-in (see Blog #9, “His Majesty, The Baby”). Very little self-control is exercised when the goal of self-satisfaction is so easily achieved! Then results then become the means that justify the end. Under such conditions, results oriented purposes supersede fear of getting caught, fear of being exposed, fear of negatively impacting the lives of those who love you and have your best interest at heart.
So…. “how” is applicable to me?
In secular counseling or therapy for sexual addiction, the focus is on attaining acceptable results through behavioral modification, Gestalt therapy (getting in touch with one’s fears, anger, frustrations etc.), educational groups (Sex Addicts Anonymous/SAA, Sexaholic Anonymous/SA, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous/SLAA for females, Sexual Compulsive Anonymous/SCA) , work groups or 12-step groups All of these have an underlying goal of providing therapy to achieve results that will arrest addictive behavior. But none of these are based upon “actionable intel” that will guarantee change in addictive behavior.
For the one who abides in Jesus and has placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord there is hope, recovery, and transformation! The intel is not artificial, but authentic and backed by the power of God, the Holy Spirit. The “actionable intel” is the wisdom and promises of God”. Here in Matthew, Jesus uses parable of two builders to teach the importance of building on the right foundation. Repentance, restoration and reconciliation will require the “in-Christ” believer to build a right foundation that will withstand the schemes of the devil!
Foundations are inherently unseen! By way of application, the “process” of being set free must involve building a foundation upon the solid rock of Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:11; Psalm 18:31, Matthew 16:18; Deuteronomy 32:31)! The “actionable intel” is given by Jesus: “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine and does them”. We must put the Word of God into practice in heart of the man or woman of God who desires to be set-free of the sin the so easily besets them (Hebrews 12: 1-2). Jesus states that we who hear His word and then put into practice. One commentator rightly state: “They could build on one of two foundations. One foundation was likened to a big rock and the other to sand. The foundation determines the ability of a structure to withstand the elements (rain and winds). The rock foundation represented the Lord Himself and the truths He had been presenting, especially the truth concerning inner transformation.” (Barbieri, L. A., Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 34). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books). He further states: “Thus hearing and heeding Jesus’ words is wise; one who does not is foolish. Only two courses of action are possible—two kinds of roads and gates (Matt. 7:13–14), two kinds of trees and fruit (vv. 15–20), two kinds of foundations and builders (vv. 24–27).” (Barbieri, L. A., Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 36). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Let us then be as wise men, committed to searching after God (dig first), drawing near to God (dig deep), and commit to listen to His Word with a spirit of obedience and submission (dig often. We must practice, practice, practice!!