Do you remember that scene in The Sound of Music where Julie Andrews goes into the spiel about her favorite things? She starts singing about how much she loves raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens and schnitzel on noodles (whatever that means). If she gets bitten by a dog or stung by a bee, no matter, she’ll just stop and think about her favorite things. Apparently, thinking about wild geese flying with the moon on their wings is enough to take away all her pain and sadness. That’s a pretty sweet list.
I’ve got a list too, but it goes the other way. I’ve got a list of my least favorite things. That list includes dental procedures that involve me losing feeling in half of my face, the New York Yankees, any television show that includes the words “most extreme” in its title, and salad. I would guess that you have your own least favorite things list, and that our lists would probably be quite different. But I bet there’s one thing that you and I share a common dislike for: telling others about our struggles with sin.
Let’s be honest, nobody likes talking about their sin with others. It’s a humbling, vulnerable, often uncomfortable process, especially when talking about sexual sin. I can think of about a hundred things I would rather do than tell someone that I’m battling lust.
But here’s the funny thing: I regularly meet with the other pastors on staff at my church and talk about my battles with sin, including sexual battles. I regularly invite a small group of men into my life to encourage me, challenge me, correct me, and exhort me. Why?
The reason I participate in a small group (or growth group, cell group, fight club, accountability group, etc.), is because I believe it’s biblical and God-honoring.
Read the rest of Stephen Altrogge’s chapter in our free e-book, Porn-Free Church: Raising up gospel communities to destroy secret sins.
