Purity
1 Thessalonians
4: 3-8
It is imperative that we live pure godly lives in the midst of our pornotopian culture. We must purpose to live above the horrifying statistics that we hear about, which have helped create a church that is powerless and worldly. The apostle Paul tells says to "train yourself to be godly" (I Timothy 4:7).
The lessons we learn from King David ought to help us turn from our sin and learn to live lives that are holy and pleasing to him. At David's fall, as told in II Samuel, we see a man who loved God and was referred to as a man after God's own heart yet he fell like Humpty Dumpty. He took concubines and other women which was against God's law( Duet. 17:14-17). He became lazy, and he flirted with sin. When he should have gone off to war, he was at home looking at another man's wife. If he had only known what adultery, lying, and murder would do to his spiritual life and his future he would never have begun down the road. His baby died and his daughter, Tamar, was raped by her half-brother. One of David's son, Absalom, murdered another brother, and Amnon, his son hated him and tried to kill him. Most importantly, his life lost God's smile.
In more recent days we have seen on the news reports that even the most brilliant and accomplished leaders will throw it all away for a few moments of self gratification.
Christians today need to recognize and admit when they are heading in the wrong direction, and stop and realize the consequences of continuing in that direction. Proverbs 6:27 says, "How can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?" If you are married, get honest with your mate about your thought life and anything (HBO, movies, magazines, videos, or relationships) that is adversely affecting you. If you are single you need to find an accountability partner. No matter our marital status we must consistently stay in prayer and Bible study and be diligent in the work of our Lord.
Put some hedges in your life that protect you from falling.
Admit that you are capable of falling
Seek the Lord for a pure thought life.
Guard the relationships you have.
Set some boundaries with your members:
• eyes (the second look)
• thoughts (memorize scripture to combat impure thoughts)
• be disciplined in the areas of books, magazines, videos, cable TV, computer
• be watchful of jokes, flirting words, winks, compliments
• beware of being alone with the opposite sex
• ask, "What would Jesus do?"Lastly, remember God is watching and is very involved in the details of our lives. This is what kept Joseph from falling in the deceptions of Potiphar's wife. Genesis 39, "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" II Timothy 2:22 says, "Flee evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with those who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart."
Let's begin to show this wicked world that there are Christians who walk the walk and are exemplary of the risen Christ.
