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Not Controlled by Homosexuality

Wow!  I can not believe it is 2009.  Over the last couple of weeks I have had a chance to watch several movies on DVD.  I am always amazed at how the Lord will speak to us at the most unexpected times.  I was watching The Man in the Iron Mask.  In it, an evil brother, who wants to rule the country by himself, has his twin brother jailed on an exiled island.  He also has him put into an iron mask so no one could recognize who he was.  Towards the end of the movie, the exiled brother says “I wear the mask, the mask does not wear me.”  This really hit me.  It made me think about my struggle with same sex attractions and where I used to be and where I am today.  My homosexuality used to define who I was, but today God defines me.  I was controlled by my struggle and I did not think I could ever be set free.  Now, I have the strength and power of the Holy Spirit to say no and walk away from temptation when it raises its ugly head.  I am not a slave anymore to my broken sexuality. 

Paul writes in Romans 6: 12-18 “…do not let sin reign in our mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.  Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God… For sin shall NOT be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. …Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey -- whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?  But thanks be to God that, though you USED to be slaves to sin…. You HAVE BEEN SET FREE from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”

Webster’s dictionary defines a slave as a person who has lost control of himself and is dominated by something or someone.  That was me!  I USED to be controlled by my sexual desires, my drinking, my emotional dependency, rage and the list goes on.  BUT NO MORE!  I am encouraging all who feel trapped in whatever is going on in your life----there is freedom this side of heaven.

In 2009, choose EACH day who you will serve and be a “slave” to.  Refuse to let sin reign in your body and control your actions.  Choose life. Choose help.  Choose Jesus.

God bless you all and continue the good fight for freedom in 2009.


Redeemed,


Sydney Johnson   

Print     Email to a Friend    posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2009 10:43 AM

Comments on this post

# RE: Not Controlled by Homosexuality

Wow this is real rad, its nice to hear for a change from someone who has been delivered from homosexuality, that this indeed is not normal ,and people are not born with this ,but in fact it is a sin, and not right to live this way, I am glad that you have been delivered and, may God bless you in your forward walk in Him, to be blessed, and able to bless others with your testimony..
Left by Ophelia on Jan 07, 2009 1:03 PM

# RE: Not Controlled by Homosexuality

Thank you Sydney, though i do not struggle with the same sin issues as you might, I was highly blessed by your openess, and honesty. thank you again. God bless you much, and may His power remain strong on you and in you.
Your humble Brother in the Lord... D
Left by dabalot on Jan 07, 2009 6:20 PM

# RE: Not Controlled by Homosexuality

Thank you for that message.It truly is inspiring.But the question is,saying it is easier than doing it.Many at times, we as Christians want to do what we know is right, but keep getting pulled down.How can we uphold this stand that we take?
Left by swellzoe on Jan 08, 2009 12:16 AM

# RE: Not Controlled by Homosexuality

Dear Sydney, "The Man in the Iron Mask" was a great movie! (I don't care what the people at The Razzie Awards say). What an analogy concerning Phillipe. He lived and grew up as a slave and prisoner, not knowing he was really royalty. I think part of us getting free is the revelation of who we really are, who God has destined us to be. With all Jesus experienced on earth, He never defined Himself by what He did but by Who He was. Our salvation lies not in what we do or have done, but what we devote to Who Christ is. Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do people say I am?", not "What do people think about what I do?" The importance of seeing ourselves and finding our worth in who we are and not what we do is that the identity we've been given in Christ are things we couldn't have earned if we tried and things that can never be taken from us. May we always remember who it is we've been reborn to be, and live in a manner that reflects our standing.

Joyfully,
The Minx
Left by theminx1 on Jan 08, 2009 9:35 AM

# RE: Not Controlled by Homosexuality

sydney, I need some advice for my teenage son who states he is now gay. He knows how I feel and the rest of the family on this issue. I want to help him and provided him with spiritual guidance. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I would send you an email, or you can ask for mine. Thanks for your help.
Jennifer
Left by momofboys on Jan 16, 2009 5:05 PM

# RE: Not Controlled by Homosexuality

momofboys I would get on the website Exodus-International.org and locate a group near you. I believe there are some groups that work specifically with young people. My family had no idea I was struggling as a teenager. I am glad that his family knows so you all can pray for him and can love him unconditionally. He has a great opportunity to receive healing at a young age. But it will have to be his choice. You and your family need a lot of support also. Your son is really hurting, but he may not realize it. Do not hesitate to get counseling yourself. God will carry you and your family thru this. Draw close to Him. He will be your source of strength and will see you through each day. God bless you and stay in touch.
Left by Sydney Johnson on Jan 19, 2009 9:51 PM

# RE: Not Controlled by Homosexuality

It's also about the verse that says, "Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh." In fact, that really is the answer to all sin. Learning how to and then doing so enables you to conquer all sin because you are walking in the grace of God. Walking in the Spirit means meditating on the Word and "thinking on the things above." This leads to "walking with God" and fellowshiping with Jesus. So the answer lies with the positive rather than the negative. In words, here are the positives things that the bible says God wants everyone doing - not just those struggling with sin - instead of don't do that or don't be that way or you are wrong. Of course people can be wrong, but how are people suppose to be right? What are you suppose to do to be right?
Left by ca on Jan 20, 2009 7:38 PM

# RE: Not Controlled by Homosexuality

Also, no disrespect to anyone, but when people say people are not born gay, I believe that is a judgement and it is a sin to judge others according to the Bible. I think we don't want to think God would make people gay, but why would a person comment any sin? You all just said we are born in sin, so if we are born in sin, why is it so hard to believe that some people are truly born gay due to no fault of anyone but by how their cell divided or a missing or double DNA code? I have seen some strange things in nature. Noone wants to be gay, I surely didn't because of the hardships, the secrecy and condemnation that goes with it. I hated my bi-sexuality, but I know it was there since I was a small child. I fault noone, not my parents, not my environment, not God, nothing. Like someone said, some people are born with certain crosses to bear until they are delivered. Thank God for
deliverance!!! I do know because of my relationship with God,I could never go back to that behavior ever!
Left by Charay on Jan 27, 2009 8:25 PM

# RE: Not Controlled by Homosexuality

Dear Charay, I can't speak for anyone else on the blog, so I won't even try. I've never struggled w/ same sex attraction, but I've had lots of friends who have. From listening to them and doing my studies, I say that people aren't born gay. The people I know & the studies I've read indicate that the struggle usually results from either some kind of sexual abuse, a breakdown in the relationship w/ the same sex parent, or both. Saying someone isn't born gay isn't being judgmental, but making an observation based on the experiences of those who have shared w/ me. More importantly, I'd say people aren't born gay so, number one, those in the lifestyle don't believe the lie that there's no escape from the lifestyle and, number two, those struggling don't think "I was born this way" is an excuse to continue in sin.
Left by theminx1 on Feb 17, 2009 7:34 AM

# RE: Not Controlled by Homosexuality

Sydney~
I would appreciate it if you would add my step-daughter to your prayers. Her name is Brandi, she is in prison for robbing a store, she was a heroin addict. She was abused as a child & clings to the idea that 'we' will have to 'accept her as a homosexual' . Needless to say this has caused much grief & many problems in our marriage. I could use every 'character' here to tell you of my grief in this & still not get it all said...thank you~ I praise God FOR you being so open.
Left by MemeDee53 on Apr 21, 2009 1:38 PM