Resisting the Allure of Worldly Seduction

The story of Michael Leahy is a sobering reminder of how seductive pleasures can quietly take root in our lives, promising satisfaction but ultimately leading to destruction. Michael’s journey began innocently enough, but as he gave himself over to pornography and later to an affair, the consequences grew devastating—costing him his marriage, his family, and his career. His experience is not unique; it is a living illustration of a spiritual reality that the book of Revelation lays bare: the pleasures that seduce us will destroy us.

Revelation 17 presents a vivid image of a woman—called the great prostitute—who represents the allure of the worldly city, the opposite of the pure bride of Christ. She dazzles with prosperity and unbounded pleasure, drawing people in with promises of fulfillment. Yet, beneath her beauty lies corruption and death. The text warns that the things we marvel at, the things that capture our imagination and devotion, can easily become idols that lead us away from God. Even the apostle John, upon seeing this vision, was tempted to marvel at her, showing that no one is immune to the seduction of the world.

Worldly pleasures become destructive when they are pursued outside of God’s boundaries or when they become ultimate in our lives—when we center our schedules, our hopes, and our identities around them. The text is clear: to live for prosperity, pleasure, or self-advancement at the expense of God’s call is not a small thing. It is spiritual adultery, a betrayal of our true allegiance.

But Revelation also offers a heavenly perspective. The seductive powers of this world have only received authority for a time; their unity will collapse, and their domination will be destroyed. In contrast, Jesus’ power is ultimate, his unity with the Father and Spirit is unbreakable, and his kingdom will never end. Those who stand with him—called, chosen, and faithful—share in his victory.

The call is urgent: wake up to the spiritual battle raging around you. Resist the allure of the world, repent where you have compromised, and recommit yourself to Christ. Don’t invest your life in things destined for destruction. Instead, cling to the Lamb, whose love and victory are eternal.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The seductive power of worldly pleasure and prosperity is real and dangerous. Even those who are mature in faith, like the apostle John, can find themselves marveling at what the world offers. The things that dazzle us most are often the very things that can most easily lead us astray, and we must be vigilant to guard our hearts against misplaced awe and devotion. [17:35]
• 2. Worldly pleasures become destructive when they are pursued outside of God’s design or when they become ultimate in our lives. It is not wrong to enjoy God’s good gifts, but when we center our lives around them or seek them apart from God’s boundaries, they become idols that enslave and ultimately destroy us. The subtle shift from gratitude to idolatry is where spiritual danger lies. [19:43]
• 3. The powers and pleasures that tempt us are not as strong or lasting as they appear. Their authority is received and temporary, not innate or eternal. Investing our lives in what is fleeting is like betting on a team destined to lose; true wisdom is to align ourselves with Christ, whose victory is certain and whose kingdom endures. [27:24]
• 4. The unity of the world’s seductive forces is fragile and destined to collapse. What appears to be a powerful alliance against God and his people will ultimately turn on itself and self-destruct. This is a warning not to be seduced by the apparent strength or success of worldly systems, for their end is ruin. [28:35]
• 5. The call to repentance is both urgent and hopeful. To “get out of bed with the prostitute” is to recognize where we have compromised, to bring our darkness into the light, and to receive the healing and transformation that only Jesus can give. No matter how far we have wandered, Christ’s invitation is to return, resist, and stand with him in faithfulness and victory. [41:06]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:00] - Michael Leahy’s Story: The Cost of Seduction
• [03:24] - The Pleasures That Seduce Will Destroy
• [05:04] - The Christian Life: Battleground, Not Playground
• [07:38] - Reading Revelation 17
• [10:35] - The Dazzling Picture That Misleads
• [12:36] - The Prostitute vs. The Bride of Christ
• [14:42] - The Allure of Worldly Prosperity
• [16:17] - Unbounded Pleasure and Its Dangers
• [17:35] - John’s Marvel and Our Temptation
• [19:43] - What Makes Pleasure “Worldly”?
• [21:47] - Spiritual Adultery: Living for the World
• [24:28] - A Heavenly Explanation: Why Not to Be Seduced
• [27:24] - The Temporary Power of Worldly Forces
• [28:35] - The Collapse of Worldly Alliances
• [31:13] - The Grave of the Prostitute: The End of Worldliness
• [35:59] - The Ultimate Power and Unity of Christ
• [39:56] - The Call to Wake Up and Resist
• [41:06] - Repentance and Restoration in Christ

Bible Reading

Revelation 17 (ESV) —
> Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly. But the angel said to me, “Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her..." (Read the full chapter for context.)

Observation Questions

1. How is the “great prostitute” described in Revelation 17, and what does she represent according to the sermon? [11:50]
2. What was the apostle John’s reaction when he saw the woman, and how did the angel respond to him? [17:35]
3. According to the passage and the sermon, what happens to the alliances and powers that oppose God in the end? [28:35]
4. What does the text say about those who are with Jesus (“the Lamb”)? [37:06]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think even someone as spiritually mature as the apostle John was tempted to marvel at the prostitute? What does this suggest about the power of worldly allure? [17:35]
2. The sermon describes the pursuit of pleasure or prosperity outside of God’s boundaries as “spiritual adultery.” What does this metaphor communicate about our relationship with God? [21:47]
3. The angel explains that the powers of the world only have authority for a limited time and that their unity will collapse. What does this teach us about the things that seem powerful or impressive in our world today? [27:24]
4. The call to “get out of bed with the prostitute” is both urgent and hopeful. What does true repentance look like according to the sermon? [41:06]

Application Questions

1. The story of Michael Leahy shows how something that starts small can grow to take over a person’s life. Are there “small” pleasures or habits in your life that you sense could become destructive if left unchecked? What steps can you take to address them now? [03:24]
2. The sermon warns that even good things—like career, money, or family—can become idols if they become ultimate in our lives. Is there something in your life right now that you are centering your schedule, hopes, or identity around more than God? What would it look like to re-center your life on Christ? [19:43]
3. The text says that the seductive powers of the world are temporary and destined to collapse. Are there things you are investing your time, energy, or resources in that are ultimately fleeting? How can you shift your focus to things that are eternal? [27:24]
4. The sermon describes the Christian life as a battleground, not a playground. In what areas of your life do you feel the spiritual battle most intensely? How can you be more vigilant and intentional in those areas this week? [05:04]
5. The call to repentance is described as “getting out of bed with the prostitute.” Is there an area of compromise or hidden sin in your life that you need to bring into the light? What would it look like to confess and seek healing and transformation in that area? [41:06]
6. The sermon encourages us to resist the allure of the world and to recommit ourselves to Christ. What practical steps can you take this week to resist temptation and strengthen your commitment to Jesus? [39:56]
7. For those who feel discouraged by past failures, the sermon reminds us that those who stand with Jesus are “called, chosen, and faithful.” How does this truth encourage you, and how can you remind yourself of your identity in Christ when you are tempted to give up? [37:06]