| I.
Seven personal commitments before the Lord
16 Confess your trespasses to one another…that
you may be healed. (Jas 5:16)
A.
Commitment #1: I commit to refuse to
participate in conversations that promote or joke about immorality. If I do
speak in this way, I will confess to those I was conversing with that I sinned.
B.
Commitment #2: I commit to confess
to the same trusted friend (who embraces this covenant) each time I view
pornography or have any sexual contact with someone (not my spouse).
C.
Commitment #3: I commit to register
with the technology of choice that promotes the wisdom and safety of
accountability whether or not I struggle with pornography. Accountability Software:
These programs track your internet activity and send an email to the accountability
partner that you choose. If you uninstall the software it triggers a report to
your partner. See www.covenanteyes.com ($2.50 per month); www.x3watch.com (Free); www.integrity.com (free); www.accountable2you.com
(free). Web Filtering
Software: Programs that block sexual
content including pornography, gambling, violence: www.integrity.com ($49.95); www.bsafehome.com ($49.95); www.intego.com (For Mac’s);
www.cyberpatrol.com (39.95).
D.
Commitment
#4: I commit to hold any
confession of my friend’s failure in strict confidentiality. If I do
speak it to another then I commit to tell it to the one who confessed their sin
to me. The one who breaks confidence should confess also to the one to whom he
broke the confidence.
E.
Commitment #5: If I “repeatedly”
stumble in immorality, I will show the fruit of repentance by going with my
friend to confess to the leadership and then accept the boundaries
they give me.
F.
Commitment #6: I commit to share
with the leadership if my friend “repeatedly” stumbles in immorality. I
will first tell my friend before sharing with a leader to
convince him to go with me.
15 If your brother sins against you, go and tell him
his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained
your brother. 16 If he will not hear, take with you one or two
more…17 If he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. (Mt.
18:15-17)
G.
Commitment #7: For leaders: I
commit to follow the process of bringing those who ‘continue’ in immorality to
the appropriate level of “discipline” instead of offering them “unsanctified
mercy”.
20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the
presence of all… (1 Tim 5:20, NAS)
5 Deliver such a one to Satan for the
destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord
Jesus. (1 Cor. 5:5)
H.
We will not bring public shame to anyone who repents.
We hope to never expose one’s sin publicly. There are many levels of discipline
that do not require personal exposure.
8 Above all things have fervent love…for love will cover
a multitude of sins. (1 Pet. 4:8)
9 He who covers a transgression seeks love…
(Prov. 17:9)
|