SITUATION:  A single marine under the pressures of immorality while on board MAGTFTC, 29 PALMS, CA

MISSION:  To remain unpolluted by the world he's surrounded by.

EXECUTION:  Study the Bible daily, fellowship with believers frequently, and don't give the enemy a foothold. 

ADMIN./LOGISTICS:  Put on the full armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

COMMAND AND SIGNAL:  "All who call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved."  (Romans 10:9)

ISSUE #1     HOW DOES A CHRISTIAN DEAL WITH TEMPTATION ON THE INTERNET?  My first intuition would be to seek an Internet service provider (ISP) that is known for providing clean and monitored Internet access. (I.E. Integrity.com or Zionline.com) If there are no servers available, then we must put on the armor.  Keep Scripture verses on your computer, secretary desk doors, etc. to combat falling into pornography/immoral material.  

-" My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart." (Proverbs 7:1-3)

 -(Our Lord Jesus speaking)

27"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'28"But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown

into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." (Matthew 5: 27 - 30)

("Eye ... gouge,"Jesus does not advocating self-mutilation ... graphic hyperbole to demonstrate the seriousness of sins of lust and evil desires.  Sin must be dealt with drastically because of its deadly effects, MacArthur Study Bible P 1401)

ISSUE #2    I MADE A TOUGH DECISION A FEW YEARS BACK.  Since I made this decision, I've kept to it and reaped a more productive attitude both mentally and spiritually.  I chose to refrain from television.  Yeah, I know we all grew up with one as part of our development into who we are today.  I've come to realize that practically no one on the television can tell you who you are.  My identity can be obtained in Christ, and Christ alone.  And believe it or not...Christ is not on the TV set. (there is a satellite called "Sky Angel" which airs only Christian programs...1-800-SKYANGEL) 

 -"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (II Timothy 2: 22)

ISSUE #3     THERE IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLE GOING ON ALL THE TIME...even when we're in our cars.  You could just be cruising along and viewing the scenery, listening to the local radio stations, or simply meditating in the silence.  You car may give you a "safe" feeling.  I mean you're traveling at speeds exceeding 60-70 MPH, right?  No matter how big the car or fast the speed, the devil can still creep in.  After all, the Bible calls him:  "the prince of the power of the air." So please consider what you are taking into your ears and eyes.  The world is competing for our attention.  Personally, I've found a solace in the CSN Calvary Satellite Network (91.1 FM).  This station hasn't only kept my heart and mind fixed on Jesus, but has blessed me with better understanding of scripture.  The music keeps my spirit encouraged, also. 

 -"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law." (Galatians 5: 16-18)

ISSUE #4    AVOID "X" AND "R" RATED MOVIES.  I have struggled with the immoral and lustful imagery of the sexually explicit movies I watched in the past.  A man must understand that his mind is capable of retaining vast amounts of images.  Especially if those images are tied to moments of excitement or in this case sexual arousal.  WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM?  Our Creator designed our brain to facilitate the purpose of our sexuality.  WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF OUR SEXUALITY?  According to scripture, it's for a man to be joined to ONE woman, ideally the wife of his youth.  Unfortunately, the world system and the Word of God are at odds.  Similar to the television, the movie industry (Hollywood) doesn't care if you struggle with lustful images or even jeopardize your present/future marriage.   

 -"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (Genesis 2: 24)

-"One flesh" speaks of a complete unity of parts making a whole, e.g. one cluster, many grapes (Numbers 13: 23) ...  thus this marital union was complete and whole with two people.  One man and one woman constitute the pair to reproduce.  The "one flesh" is primarily seen in the child born of that union, the one perfect result of the union
of two.  Permanent monogamy was and continues to be God's design and law for marriage.  MacArthur Study Bible, P 19)

-"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (I Corinthians 15: 58)

ISSUE #5     HOW SHOULD WE SEE A WOMAN THEN?...whether mentally, sexually, or most of all, spiritually?  Let me suggest one of these three categories:  MOTHER, SISTER, or BRIDE.  If we hold to these three without compromise, then we honor our fellow image-bearer of God.  (This is from Maj. Rob Crum's message at the base Chapel service.)

-Jesus made an unconditional covenant with us by His blood shed on the cross.  We should acknowledge His character by seeking a covenant-keeping, like-minded wife.  The way a woman dresses and behaves tells me if she is a covenant-keeping woman.  A man of God should ask himself:  "Is she willing to share her body with any man who is lusting for her!"  (Either visually or physically)

-"By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit." (Matthew 7:16,17)

ISSUE #6     HOW SHOULD WE BIDE OUR TIME WHILE ON LEAVE/VACATION?  That depends on your motives.  I would first ask the question: "WHAT ARE YOU TAKING A VACATION FROM?"  Seriously, do we stop serving the Lord just because we change scenery and leave our jobs on hold?  We must find those committed brothers/sisters in Christ and stay encouraged!  We know that:

 "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:13) 

-"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.  Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.  Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.  Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." (Proverbs 4:23-27)

-"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10: 25) ("Day approaching" the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, I Thessalonians 4: 16 - 18, The Rapture of the Redeemed!)

ISSUE #7    You've heard it said, "Safety is paramount."  There's a new catch phrase for you. ACCOUNTABILITY IS PARAMOUNT.  Where better to find accountability with a like-minded believer than at the base Chapel.  Especially, for a single marine/sailor/civilian who is trying to get acquainted with the community and make connections.  For instance, SSgt Aaron Evans (Aaron), was a faithful brother in Christ who was willing to make time in the week to meet with me and discuss worries, confess sins, and just plain vent.  (A small group meeting on Friday nights @7pm is going into this exact topic). 

-"See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first." (Hebrews 3: 12 - 14)

 -"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10: 25) ("Day approaching" the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, I Thessalonians 4: 16 - 18, The Rapture of the Redeemed!)

ISSUE #8     CAN PRAYER RELIEVE ALL THE SHAME AND GUILT OF A ROTTEN PAST?  I stand to testify, "YES, IT CAN!"  If I fall down in my walk with Christ...I stay down and pray.  My Lord hears me, and He picks me up again...like a child whose heart is broken over disappointing his Father.  Let us always remember that we will always be a child in His eyes.

-Here is a prayer from scripture...it's always best to be REAL before God: 

  1 "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2  Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3  Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 4  Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalms 51:1,2,9,10)

-"...we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5)

-On the same note, we must have an ever-growing, healthy contempt for sin.  

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: FORGETTING WHAT IS BEHIND AND STRAINING TOWARD WHAT IS AHEAD, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13,14)