Central Thought: No one is immune to moments of incontinency, so every believer must guard against it.
Hymn: Take my life and let it be.
Text: 2 Timothy 3:1-3, 2 Samuel 13:1-15, 2 Kings 5:20-25
Incontinence is one of the signs of the end time. There are several instances in scriptures of the signs of the end time. This spans from the Old Testament (ex. The revelation of Daniel), to the Lord Jesus in Matthew 24, Apostle Paul, Timothy and John the beloved in the New Testament.
God did not mince words in warning the Church, He did not leave the Church in the dark with regards to the indications of the end times. This is to prepare the Church, i.e. Believers to be ready so as not to be taken unaware. An underlying indicator of the end time is perilous/terrible times. The Bible is not silent on what things we are to expect and know, since we are in the end time.
Today, incontinence has assumed an alarming dimension in our society. We do not have to look far to find men exhibiting total lack of self-control in all areas of life such as in the acquisition of material things, sexual immorality, (increase in rape, incest, and others etc.). This study is to enable us identify this malady and escape its trap.
Lesson Objectives:
At the end of this study, we trust God to help us learn the following basic Bible truth.
- Define the word “incontinent” and discuss why people engage in it.
- Examine how some Bible characters manifested this evil act and its consequences.
- Discuss the ways people manifest incontinency today.
- Suggest ways to avoid incontinency.
Question 1.A.) Explain the term “Incontinent”.
The word incontinent has been defined by the English dictionary to mean lack of moral or sexual restraint, moderation or self-control, being unrestrained or unceasing. Flowing from these definitions, it is obvious that it sufficiently describes the present day generation. This generation is marked with lack of restraint, unending and ever increasing greed/crave for mundane things more than before. The story of Ammon abusing his sister Tamar in 2 Samuel 13 is typical of the fact that lack of sexual restraint is not peculiar to this age. Same is the account of the defilement of Dinah the only daughter of Shechem the uncircumcised Hivite (Genesis 34:1-14). The people in Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18: 20, 19:1-10), the woman in Judges 19 that was defiled, whose body was shared into 12 parts and sent to all Israel (Judges 20), are vivid examples that incontinency is not new. In the New Testament, Apostle Paul had to warn believers through the Corinthian church for everyone to marry and have his/her own spouse to avoid sin (1 Corinthians 7:2).
This lack of moderation and lack of self-control does not only apply to sexual matters, but is evident in so many areas/aspects of this generation. The crave and craze for wealth has infected many youths and is a major cause for concern in this generation. The “get rich quick” syndrome has taken over many. It is a situation whereby attaining wealth is the ultimate goal irrespective of how it is achieved. A lot of persons want sudden wealth that was not achieved by hard work and diligence. The family, church and society are not left out in encouraging this trend.
Incontinency or lack of self-control, is evident in the crave for money, materialism, uncontrolled anger, food and eating habits, spontaneous purchase of goods unbudgeted and unplanned for etc. Incontinency is summed up in 1 John 2:16 as, the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life.
Question 1B) Why do people engage in so much incontinence today?
2 Timothy 3:1-3, 1 Peter 4:2-3, 1 Corinthians 7:5
All around us, there is sufficient evidence that we are in the end time. 2 Timothy 3:1-3, reminds us of the many indications of the end time. A major reason why people engage in it today is a fulfillment of scriptures that we are in the end time. It also sounds a warning to the unsuspecting, careless, and unprepared believer that the end is here. Most people are not mindful of living for God, to please or do His will but are rather focused on living for their own passions and pleasures.
In 1 Corinthians 7:5, Apostle Paul warns couples not to deprive each other of their marital rights. Deliberate deprivation/denial of due marital rights by a spouse over a period of time could be an avenue for sexual temptation.
The crave to get rich at all cost and acquire material things is another reason why people engage in it. There are cases of ritual killings, internet fraud, budget padding, examination misconduct and other corrupt practices.
Like Dinah in Genesis 34:1 who went out to see the daughters of the land, some persons get involved in incontinency because they are in the wrong company and place. In order to be like others, they compromised and walked out of grace.
In any form incontinency appears, there is one underlying factor, which is the lack of the fear of God. It is the fear of God in the heart of an individual that is the check for self-control.
Question 2A) Discuss how the following people manifested the act of incontinence.
- Gehazi: in 2 Kings 5:20-24, Gehazi must have thought his master was unwise to let Naaman go with all the goodies. It was greed manifested in lack of self-control that made him lie to Naaman that he was sent by his master Elisha.
Incontinency was further revealed when he had to lie to Elisha. The lack of self-control exhibited to lying as a cover up. If Gehazi did not only stop at fraudulent acquisition from Naaman, it extended to lying as a cover up. If Gehazi had owned up in repentance to Prophet Elijah, it is possible he would not have been cursed.
- Ammon: 2 Samuel 13:1-15, Incontinency manifested itself in Ammon’s unbridled desire to have his half-sister Tamar. He did not even listen to her plea of doing it the right way i.e. speaking to their father, King David, to permit him marry her. This suggestion by Tamar was against the law (Leviticus 18:9-18) and there was no justification for his uncontrolled lust.
Ammon was in a hurry, and this is a major problem of our age. Some persons out of impatience, hurry out of God’s plan for their lives; haste is a trait of incontinency. He that believeth does not make haste (Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 27:14).
Ammon had a bad advisor in Jonadab, who instigated Ammon to do the evil. It appears Ammon to do the evil. It appears Ammon already had the tendency as he liked and welcomed the advice. Jonadab should have told Ammon “for no such thing ought to be in Israel, do not this folly”. Whenever an individual is unable to resist ungodly counsel from wherever/by whosoever and rather yields to it, is an indication of lack of self-control. 1 Corinthians 15:33 is apt on this. It states “evil communication corrupts good manners”. It is better not to have evil companion than to have them and plan to resist their evil counsel. What fellowship has light with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14).
- Ahab: 1 Kings 21:1-4
Lack of contentment and satisfaction with what we have and the greed to have what others have so as to be like others is a major cause of incontinency. Ahab as King had wealth to have afforded choice fields but out of incontinency/lack of restrain/self-control he desired a poor man’s inheritance. The unbridled greed led not only to the death of Naboth but to the end of his kingship/dynasty and a complete wiping out of male children in his linage even long after his death. All these because of an exhibition of incontinency in an unguarded moment.
Question 2B.) What are the consequences of Incontinency?
2 Kings 5:26-27, 1 Kings 21:19-24, 2 Samuel 13:29-30
The consequences of incontinence are numerous and they are grievous. They include the following: for Gehazi in 2 Kings 5:26-27 it was leprosy not only for himself but also for his descendants. Gehazi brought a curse upon his offspring who knew nothing about what he did. Incontinency brings curses from God/men. Same for Ahab whose innocent children were made to face the consequences of a moment of incontinency. The material gains from incontinency are temporal. 1 Kings 21:20.
Incontinency results in pains, anarchy, confusion, and like it was for Ammon, a quiet end to all the supposed success stories.
For the upright their end is peace (Psalm 37:37). That is not the case of anyone who exhibits incontinency. Since incontinency is a sign of the end-times, believers should be conscious of the possibility of being overtaken by this vice. This vice has negative effects on the growth and quality of the church (if entertained), family at large. Incontinence has eaten into the societal fabrics and has led to the increase in social vices such as armed robbery, prostitution, kidnapping, ritual killings, militancy, examination malpractice and various crimes.
Question 3.) Suggest ways that incontinency could be avoided.
Matthew 6:25-34, Luke 3:14, 1 Timothy 6:6, Hebrews 13:5, Philippians 4:6-8
The ignorance of God’s ability to cater for our needs has led some people to incontinency. It was a command in Philippians 4:6-7, “be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be known unto God”. It is out of fear of the unknown, and lack of faith in God’s ability to cater for us that makes us do things our own way. The Christian life is a work and a walk of faith. We must learn to believe God even when it does not make sense to us, God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19, Titus 1:2). If we trust Him and it appears there is still no change, we have no option but to keep trusting and believing Him, it is in doing that, that our change will come. Like Job, who waited on God, his trust in God was revealed in his words “all the days of my life will I wait till my change comes” (Job 14:14). We must realize that God has both the willingness and ability to do what His words say He will do.
Those believers who do not study the word of God do not have the understanding of God’s ability in all situations of life.
Worry and anxiety over inability to meet basic needs of life pushes some persons into being incontinent. If we appreciate that god is the owner of the heaven and earth and all therein, and God is able to fend for us, this knowledge would help restrain us from being incontinent.
It must be understood from the outset that incontinency is not of God. It is the Spirit of God in the heart of a man that is the ultimate restraint and check to incontinency. It is also important that an individual yields his/her self totally and completely to God.
Another way incontinency could be avoided, is being satisfied/and content with what one has. This involves not having an eye for other people’s things, not being envious but sincerely rejoicing and believing God that the same God who did theirs would do ours, in His time. Godliness with contentment is great gain. The assurance of God’s presence that He is with us even in the situation we find ourselves should be an encouragement that builds our faith. We must know that, whatever stage we are in, is just a phase of life we must pass through to get to our God-given destination.
The place of prayers is not left out in avoiding incontinency. We must talk to God about it and God will grant our petition. We must guide our thoughts, because out of it flows the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). This will help us to avoid incontinency.
There must be genuine repentance form incontinency, and a determination not to live as such. Daniel purposed in his heart (Daniel 1:8).
We must also flee from all associations or instigators of incontinency, be it books, human etc. 1 Corinthians 15:33, Proverbs 1:10.
Parents must lead and live lasting Godly examples for their children to follow. The Church must deliberately take a stand against the “get rich quick syndrome” and refuse to celebrate sudden wealth with questionable source. When the individual, the family and the church have right standing in living by examples in this matter, the resultant effect rubs off on the society at large.
Daily Living Application
Lack of self-control reveals the extent the world has denigrated from God ordained morals and standards. Even some believers may be guilty of this offence in diverse ways. We must like Apostle Paul warned, examine ourselves daily whether we are not a victim of incontinency and take heed lest we become incontinent 1 Corinthians 1:20.
Memory Verse
1 Timothy 6:6
“But Godliness with contentment is great gain”