Purity Takes Planning
I was reminded this morning of how sexually depraved cultures are so destructive and devastating to people. There are young couples who are deciding that God’s boundaries on purity really don’t apply to them. There are people who justify their sexual impurity as being OK with the Lord. He makes it clear that He doesn’t tolerate sexual sin. Sexual sin is very destructive from the inside out.
Ezekiel tells a story about two young women/cities – Samaria & Jerusalem. They behaved badly in the Lord’s eyes. They committed all sorts of sexual sin against God’s will and plan. God’s design for sexual behavior is pretty clear in scripture and I don’t think He’s changed His first design on that. Check this out….
“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”
32 “This is what the Lord God says:
You will drink the same cup your sister did, and that cup is deep and wide. Everyone will make fun of you, because the cup is full. 33 It will make you miserable and drunk. It is the cup of fear and ruin. It is the cup of your sister Samaria. 34 You will drink everything in it, and then you will smash it and tear at your breasts. I have spoken, says the Lord God. 35 “So this is what the Lord God says: You have forgotten me and turned your back on me. So you will be punished for your sexual sins.” (Ezekiel 23:32-35 NCV)In order to be pure, I must plan. I must avoid situations where I am tempted. I must renew my commitment to the Lord and His plan for me. A week ago, one of our Pastors preached on this subject and he suggested that when I am struggling with sexual addiction that I should starve the addiction. I have often wondered why it’s such a big deal that people have such a cavalier attitude toward sexual behavior. God clearly spells out the boundaries on sexual purity. Check this out…
18 So run away from sexual sin. Every other sin people do is outside their bodies, but those who sin sexually sin against their own bodies. 19 You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves, 20 because you were bought by God for a price. So honor God with your bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20 NCV)I think this is a very tough commitment to honor. Our culture is so free with sexual behavior that it is really tough to be strong in the face of that. I must constantly be in touch with the Lord so that He can help me recognize the evil plans and traps that the evil one has for me. I need to watch what I feed my mind by way of media. I need to remain committed to study the Word of God. I need to remember that the struggle for a pure heart and mind will continue until I breathe my last breath. I need to remain clearly focused on purity sexually so that I can pure spiritually too.
Pressing On! Dwayne