William Brown, in this audio, tells us of the significants of a father telling his son to flee immortality. "Helping your son deal with temptation is one of the most important things a father ever does, for in this world temptation is alway just around the corner." He also gives an example of how his fathers hatred of sin helped keep him from temptations of the flesh, even when his father was thousands of miles away. He knew that if he fell in to immorality, it would cause his father much sorrow. 

Every son needs to hear his father say, Son, flee immorality. 1 Timothy 2 22 Flee also useful lusts, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Chapter 15, Boxes from Home. Helping your son deal with temptation is one of the most important things a father ever does. For in this world, temptation is always just around the corner.

The boys on Iwo Jima faced the temptations that every boy faces. This was revealed in a very powerful moment when Bill Henderson was telling about his experience in the Pacific War. He spoke of the temptations that they all faced and the things that made some able to flee and others ready to fall. When you are away from home and fall into boredom and then are subjected to pressure, the weaknesses of the flesh and the weaknesses of men around you, sexual sins can overtake you unless you have been strengthened against it. Wartime always delivers unusual temptations, which is why Moses said, quote, when the army goes out against your enemies, then keep yourself from every wicked thing.

Deuteronomy 23 9. Bill Henderson remembers getting letters and goodies from his mother, which she packaged up in beautifully assembled wooden boxes. His father had carefully made each box especially for him. He tells of how his father and mother made sure everything about the boxes breathed of their love for him. It was their way of saying, I'm proud of you, and I love you, and I'm praying for you.

Bill speaks of the impact of these boxes and the connections they made in his own words. What I saw in my father's relationship with my mother helped me not do some things others were doing. I'd go out with the guys and frankly we'd go to some places we shouldn't have gone. We'd go to what we call comfort houses, they were whore houses, to tell it like it is. I would never go in and be serviced.

I would wait for the men who went in. I'd talk to some of the girls but I'd never participate. One Singapore madam asked me not to come back anymore because I had talked to the girls and two of her girls had quit. I would say, honey, why are you doing this? I said this because I really was compassionate toward them.

I've always had a very high opinion of women. The very idea that they would do this is very distasteful to me, to think that a woman would give of herself like that, giving one of her most precious gifts. Just time and time again, just was so distasteful to me that I talked to the girls about it and so she finally asked me not to come back anymore because two of her girls had quit and gone home because of it. This happened because of my mother's and father's relationship. I knew if my father thought I did something like that it would just break his heart.

It was the love of a father and mother that helped Bill keep his wits about him when both the devil and his hormones were attacking him. While Bill was almost 10, 000 miles away his father and mother were counseling him with loving acts of kindness and it was effective. Their simple wooden boxes were used by the Holy Spirit to help their son to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. First Period II, 9-12. Bill's experience in the Pacific serves as a reminder that fathers must step up and give clear instructions to help their sons deal with this threat, for it is a threat that will chase them all over the world.

The book of Proverbs makes it clear that because she, thus, is convenient, Proverbs 5, and aggressive, Genesis 39, the only reasonable action for a father is to take time to assist his son in this most dangerous territory. A father must, number one, communicate the principle of mortifying lust. Here is the principle, because lust grows when it is fed, starve it. Feeding sexual sin causes lust to grow to where it finally overtakes us. Richard Baxter gives this directive, keep as far as you can from those temptations which feed and strengthen the sins which you would overcome.

Lay siege to your sins and starve them out by keeping away the food and fuel which is their maintenance and life. Lust can be weakened, but this only happens when there is enough hatred of sin to starve it out. Father must number two, clarify the results of failure. Because sin is death and immorality is sin, so immorality is death. Solomon understood this death grip with perfect clarity in Proverbs 7.

With her enticing speech She caused him to yield with her flattering lips. She seduced him. Immediately he went after her as an ox goes to the slaughter or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, till an arrow struck his liver. As the bird hastens to the snare, he did not know it would cost his life. Now therefore, listen to me, my children.

Pay attention to the words of my mouth. Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways. Do not stray into her past, for she is cast down many wounded, and all who were slain by her were strong men. Her house is the way to hell, descending to the chambers of death." Proverbs 7, 21-27. Immorality spells death to a host of relationships and opportunities.

There is so much at stake when purity is compromised. John Owen explains the consequences of sin in this way, How few are there that walk in any beauty or glory, How barren, how useless they are for the most part. Many men harbor spirit-devouring lusts in their bosoms that lie as worms at the root of their obedience, and corrode and weaken it day by day. God blasts such men's undertakings. Remember a lot and how his compromises cost him everything.

And David, who's succumbing, plunged him into the depths of despair and robbed him of future fruitfulness. And don't forget the contrast we see in Joseph, whose integrity saved him and promoted him far beyond imagination. 2 Peter 2.10-22 exposes many of the dangers of lust. Those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority they are presumptuous, self-willed, They're not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord. But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption and will receive the wages of unrighteousness as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime.

They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices and are accursed children. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of Beor who loved the wages of unrighteousness. But he was rebuked for his iniquity. A dumb donkey, speaking with a man's voice, restrained the madness of the prophet.

These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption, for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ they are again entangled in them and overcome the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, and having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them, but it has happened to them, according to the true proverb, quote, a dog returns to its own vomit, and a sow, having washed, returns to her wallowing in the mire." Fathers number three explain the dramatic actions that need to be taken to have success.

Jesus explained the radical response we ought to have regarding sin in Matthew 18 7 through 10. Woe to the world because of offenses, for offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes if your hand or foot causes you to sin cut it off and cast it from you it is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the everlasting fire and if your eye causes you to sin pluck it out cast it from you It is better for you to enter into life with one eye rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the faces of my father who is in heaven." Fathers need to say number four, help his son to establish holy management of the eyes and the ears that will work on autopilot wherever he might be. Lust will attack you wherever you are. You must be ready.

Readiness to subdue the attack of lust is something that must be cultivated. One of the problems we have in this area is that we live in an era where nearly everyone opens eyes and ears for things unlawful in the eyes of God. So if we ever hope to protect your eyes we will have to realize that we won't be looking at and listening to what everyone else does. Ephesians 5, 3-14 gives us clear principles for governing eyes and ears, but fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints, neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them for you were once darkness but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth, finding out what is acceptable to the Lord, and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret but all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light for whatever makes manifest is light, therefore, he says, awake, you who sleep arise from the dead and Christ will give you light." Psalm 101 verse 3 addresses the eyes and their use in the house. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes.

I hate the work of those who fall away. It shall not cling to me. Job explains his personal method for managing his eyes. I've made a covenant with my eyes. Why then should I look upon a young woman?

Is it not destruction for the wicked and disaster for the workers of inequity. Does he not see my ways and count all my steps? If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor's door, then let my wife grind for another and let others bow down over her for that would be wickedness yes it would be iniquity deserving of judgment for that would be a fire that consumes to destruction and would root out all my increase." Job 31.1. James issues a command that requires that we lay aside filthiness and receive the implanted word. Therefore, lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls." James 1 21.

What eyes see and ears hear molds the affections. The Puritan William Fenner said that we grow affections and they in turn take us wherever they want. Affections matter, they have the ability to control us. Paul spoke of the mighty power of affections in 1st Corinthians 6, 11 to 18. We have spoken openly to you Corinthians.

Our heart has been opened wide. You're not limited by us but you are limited by your own affections now in like response I speak as to children You also should be open to us. Do not be mismatched with unbelievers, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial?

Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God's sanctuary have with idols? For we are the sanctuary of the living God. As God said, I will dwell among them and walk among them and I will be their God and they will be my people. Therefore come out from among them and be separate says the Lord.

Do not touch any unclean thing and I will welcome you. I will be a father to you and you will be sons and daughters to me says the Lord Almighty. 1 Corinthians 6. Fathers need to say number 5, be the reminder of the law of love. One aspect of love is summed up in the statement, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, Matthew 7.

Every opportunity for fornication or adultery is an opportunity to act in selfish hatred or lack of love for a neighbor. If a man fornicates or commits adultery, he always violates the law of love because he sins with someone else's daughter or wife. You would not want anyone trifling with your daughter. Remembering the law of love is an opportunity to do unto others as you would have them do unto you because all of God's commandments are summed up by love. The tenth commandment must also be obeyed.

You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's. Exodus 20 17. Fathers must say number six, be clear about the sinfulness of virtual immorality. There may be some who think that virtual fornication or adultery is not the same as physical sin. This kind of thinking is based on the mistaken belief that it is actual physical contact that is immoral, but that the Internet is a free zone because it is virtual.

Does fornication before marriage or cheating during marriage require physical contact? The problem is that modern technology allows men to have virtual internet harems. Computerized fornication over the internet is just as bad as real. Live, old-fashioned infidelity. In simple terms, it cultivates virtual girlfriends with whom you virtually fornicate.

Or if you're married, adulterous relationships that are nothing less than actual adulteries of the mind. Jesus explained it this way, but I say to you whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart Matthew 5 and if your eye causes you to sin pluck it out and cast it out from you it is better for you to enter into life with one eye rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire Matthew 18. Fathers must also number seven be clear that self gratification is wrong Whether you are simply thinking about or actually looking on a woman, self gratification carries the soul in the wrong direction. It always involves feeding your lust. The more you do anything, the more you will want it.

Therefore self-gratification draws you in the direction you don't want to go. This action never drew anyone to more purity or more holiness but always in the other direction. Not only that but as it pulls you along it intensifies instead of relieves. I've heard people say that it let off sexual tension that builds up like a volcano. This is a lie.

On the contrary, it builds sexual tension to another level not yet known. It does not decrease unlawful sexual desire, it inflames and feeds it. I believe that pornography, whether virtual, as previously mentioned, or a video or magazine or anything else belongs in the same category because it is the creation of an intimate partner or looking upon a woman who has not been allowed by God under authority of His Word. Number eight, remind his son of the blessings promised for obedience. Deuteronomy 28, 1-6 documents a long list of blessings that come from obedience.

Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all his commandments which I command you today that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth and all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you because you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city and blessed shall you be in the country. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground, and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle, and the offspring of your flocks. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in.

Blessed shall you be when you go out. A father also, number nine, should say, Be like Christ in purity. Romans 13, 12 to 14. Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the army of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lust.

And about the silver bullet, we have already said that men must take various kinds of action, such as making a covenant with their eyes to keep them from sexual temptation but there is one thing that is of supreme importance and exercises the most power the work of the Holy Spirit Paul said in Romans 8 13 if by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh you will live. First notice that there is a condition signified by the word if. You may or you may not but if you do you will live. Then he gives the secret of it all, the silver bullet by the Spirit. There is no hope without the Holy Spirit at work in our hearts.

Submitting to and being filled with the Holy Spirit is the silver bullet against temptation. This is one reason that the grieving of the Holy Spirit is so bad for us. A friend of mine sent me a vow that he uses to encourage his children to use so that they might see the importance of sexual purity before marriage. Believing that God's word command me to do so, knowing that God works all things out for my good I blank vow before God my parent my family and my elders to live a life of sexual purity in my thoughts, my will, and my actions. Realizing that God's Word teaches that my body is to be used for my future husband's or wife's pleasure, and not my own, I will reserve my body and my heart, for the future mate God has prepared for me.

I will refrain from any form of sexual activity before I am married. I ask God to bring misery and pain to my life if I do not strive with all my heart to keep this vow. I furthermore vow to make myself accountable to my parents in this area by affirming to them monthly that I am upholding my vow. I vow to be honest in my affirmations and ask God to bring pain and misery to me if I lie about my affirmation. I don't think that written vows are required, but at least you can see that the man who used the above vow desired to clarify his desire for sexual purity.

Bill Henderson reported that it was his father's love for his mother that helped him keep out of the brothels in the Pacific. He saw the blessings of purity in his home. He observed the chaste behavior of his mother and the love of his father for her. It was faith in action, theology visualized. Perhaps this is one reason that marriage is intended by God to explain Christ's love for the church.

Husbands love your wives as also Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." Ephesians 5 25. A father's Christ likeness in marriage is perhaps the most helpful thing he can do for his son. As he loves his wife, his son can see in real life how wonderful Jesus Christ is. As the Son sees the blessings of Christ, the love of Christ, and the proper expression of the authority of Christ, he is fortified against evil assaults. Jesus Christ as Lord is the most important motivation for sexual purity.

Son, flee immorality.