The Time to Decide

As the chapter title indicates, the main focus is on making a decision to step away from sin. The metaphor the authors use in this book, obviously, is that of a battle: as men, we have to be willing to fight against sexual impurity as if we are engaged in a battle to the death. We have to take the enemy of sin seriously or we'll never win:

Three years ago I counseled Ben, who said he wanted sexual integrity, but his words were just words. "I'm still buying the Playboys," he said recently. "I guess I just don't hate them enough."

For the authors, if you don't hate your sin enough or see your behavior as being that sinful, you'll never get victory over it:

We've known those who have failed in their battle for sexual purity, and we know some who have won. The difference? Those who won hated their impurity. They were doing to war and were going to win - or die trying. Every resource was leveled upon the foe.

I agree with Arterburn and Stoeker that making a commitment to sexual purity is critical. My only caution - and this may be an outworking of their Arminian theology - is that making a decision in a moment of time does not guarantee success. Any righteous decision is ultimately an acknowledgement of the conviction that the Holy Spirit has laid on your heart. To place trust in the decision itself - as if your will can provide the power to overcome your sinful behavior - is misdirected. Just as making a decision to be saved does not save you, making a decision to be sexual pure will not free you. Your commitment matters and is your responsibility, but remember that the power for change comes from the Lord. I hope my Reformed friends understand this difference.

We already have the power within us through the Holy Spirit to gain victory, but as it took time to fall into bad habits, it will take time to reverse these habits towards holiness and maturity. I appreciate that later on, Arterburn and Stoeker reference a very important passage in the battle against sin:

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Pet. 1:3-4)