Christian Family Services Ministry

3-28-2023 – A Word to the Wise – PART 8 – TREATMENT

Now let’s address our original question, “Are there inoculations and or antitoxins used by the Lord to warn us away from immorality? The answer is yes there is. Most of us are aware of them but just not used to thinking of them in this sense. I first learned of them from my mother when I was thirteen. I do not even remember the whole conversation now, but the pertinent part addressed the heavy perfume prostitutes would use to cover up the smell involved in their occupation.

The next memories revolve around conversations of two roommates I had while in the military. Michael and Brentzel were two typical characters (lacking any moral integrity) of their time. Their conversations involved two main subjects; women and drinking, and they would expound on these subjects at length. Michael, a man of many varied and frequent sexual experiences, would speak of the difference between sex with a woman the first time and thereafter. He would comment on the smell being repelling the first time, more acceptable the next, and then intoxicating thereafter. Not that Michael had too many relations that went beyond the third or fourth date, but it does speak to an awareness that even the most foolish have.

Years later as a Dallas Police Officer assigned to patrolling an exceedingly high crime area, I was frequently called upon to answer shooting calls or search for fugitives in a house of prostitution. I was struck by the unique and decidedly unpleasant smell of these places. On many occasions, we would walk into a room while people were still having intercourse. The smell was always unpleasant. When I began this study, the Lord brought to mind these experiences with the prompting that this was another and final warning to a person not to continue in iniquity. Scripture touches on this in Proverbs when speaking of the adulteress. The text says “I have decked my couch with coverings, colored spreads of Egyptian linen; I have perfumed by bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.” What were these spices for but to cover up the smell? How come? Someone may ask, is this sensation not experienced negatively in marriage? It is because in marriage the Lord created the experience to bond the couple, to make them one. One’s own smell does not bother oneself, a further indication of the depth of the meaning of phrase, “and the two become one flesh.”

The remedy for adultery is applied most effectively when it is in concert with the persons’ motivational gift. The healer must consider the primary emotional, physical, or intellectual makeup of the adulterer.

The person’s degree of religiosity is another attribute which affects treatment. Sincere piety in an individual affects both the approach and timing of any intervention. Most failures in acquiring repentance of a very pious person can be attributed to lack of consideration given to these two elements. King David is the best illustration of timing and approach in the confrontation of immorality.

Nathan, the friend and prophet of David, waited nearly a whole year before the Lord prompted him to confront David.

Our tendency is to immediately react. But reacting this quickly inspires resistance. This is especially true if the person knows right from wrong. During the initial stages of sin, a person does not feel distance from the Lord. This is critical if one is to be successful in intervening. One waits for the Lord’s prompting not for one’s own feelings. Nathan waited for the right moment. How does one recognize this moment? It is a moment filled with loses and tragedy, for the offender. It might include, but not limited to personal illness, loss of significant family and or friends, and the potential loss of the most important person in this person’s live. Frequently this is months after the sin begins.

Also, during this period, the sinner will experience intense mood shifts which include euphoria, irritation, anger, and depression. One does not confront in a manner that allows the reaction to be displaced to another. One avoids any interaction which emotionally drains energy or anxiety from the adulterer. These feelings must be allowed to build with no release. For the most part passivity by as many significant people as possible is important until the proper moment arrives.

Confrontation, when it does come, is followed by as many consequences as possible experienced in as short a time as possible. Confrontation comes usually three to nine months after the onset. If the person is a physical person (motivational gifts of server, giver, or organizer), then it is important to emphasize physical consequences. If the person is an emotional person (motivational gifts of prophet, or mercy), then the consequences need to be emotional. If the person is intellectual (motivational gifts of teacher, exhorter), then the consequences are primarily intellectual and secondarily physical.

Examples of consequences might be rejection or abandonment for the emotional person. Utilization of the five senses (taste, touch, sight, smell, or hearing) for consequences for physical individuals. Intellectual isolation for the intellectual persons is the effective avenue for consequences. The higher degree of religiosity in the offender tends to improve success.