169. Holy Sexuality and the Gospel with Dr. Chris Yuan

Published: July 26, 2023, noon

Welcome to episode #169! This week, Matt and Braden talk with Dr. Christopher Yuan about holy sexuality and the gospel.

Your Identity is not in your sexuality.\xa0

We can\u2019t allow sexual attractions to dictate who we are and how we live. Our sexuality should not be the core of who we are. Our identity should not be: defined by our sexuality; grounded in our desires; and homo or heterosexual. Our identity must be in Jesus Christ alone. God says \u201cbe Holy, for I am holy\u201d. The opposite of every sin is holiness. We need to focus on living a life of holiness and purity in the midst of temptation. We\u2019re all going to struggle and be tempted - but we need to yearn after God in total surrender and obedience. The goal is not homosexuality to heterosexuality - you can still be sinning as a heterosexual human. The goal is Christ and taking on His holiness by grace through faith.\xa0


Is sin only limited to our actions?\xa0

Just don\u2019t act on it is a half truth which is just as bad as a lie. Don\u2019t act on it, yes, but it goes beyond that. In Matthew 5, Jesus doesn\u2019t say \u201cif a man looks lustfully at a woman, he\u2019s fine as long as he doesn\u2019t act on it\u201d. He says \u201cIf you lust at a woman, you\u2019ve already committed adultery\u201d. Simply not acting on our lusts and desires is not fully right. Discernment is not simply knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right. \u201cAlmost right\u201d can take you on a path that does not land on the end that is Christ. That slight deviation can take you off target. When we are seeking holiness we need to remember that unconditional love is not the same as unconditional approval of our behavior and we need to change course when we are headed down a path of \u201calmost right\u201d.\xa0


Words Matter.\xa0

If you say \u201cThis is WHO I AM\u201d it will impact the thoughts that you have, the choices that you make and the relationships you build. Identity/identify is a newer word, but it\u2019s not a new concept. It\u2019s being in Christ and dwelling with Christ.\xa0 Union with Christ is identity with Christ.\xa0 Sexuality is about desire and attraction, not about who we are. By simply switching from saying \u201cthis is who I am\u201d to \u201cthis is what/who I am attracted to\u201d changes where we place our identity.\xa0 \xa0\xa0


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Resources

Pure Freedom Community for men 18+

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FamilyLife Canada: Resources and events to strengthen your marriage

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Dr Christopher Yuan
Speaking ministry and books.
Holy Sexuality Project Video Series


Podcast Hosts

BRADEN HAFNER

Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He has been married for 14 years to his wife Kristen, and they live in Edmonton, Alberta. He is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com


MATT CLINE

Matt and his wife Louise raise their little guys, David and Oliver, in Edmonton, Alberta. He is honoured to do what he can to tackle the epidemic of pornography and sexual perversion in every way possible. Seeing lives and marriages get free and experience the love of God in profound ways is what drives him every day. He leads Restored Ministries, is a certified speaker and coach for the John Maxwell Team, and formerly played hockey in the WHL and for Hockey Canada. You can visit www.restoredministries.ca.