Seeking Him: 12 Days to Spiritual RevivalНамуна

Day 10: Sexual Purity

Battling lust is not a twenty-first-century phenomenon; God’s people have always had to deal with sexual temptation. The apostle Paul confronted this matter head-on when he wrote the church in Thessalonica about their sexual conduct:

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. (1 Thessalonians 4:1–8)

According to these verses, what are some reasons to live a morally pure life?

Regardless of how spiritual we may claim (or pretend) to be, the truth is that we are no more spiritual than our sexual conduct and thought life. In this passage, Paul gives three specific exhortations regarding our sexual behavior.

1. (“Abstain from sexual immorality,” v. 3.)

Instead, we should determine to be morally blameless in all our thoughts, activities, and relationships. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul makes this point even more explicitly:

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5:3–4)

2. (“That each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust,” vv. 4–5.)

Know what entices you to immorality and avoid it. Know what encourages you to be pure and activate it.

3. (“that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter,” v. 6 NASB.)

Rather, seek to live a life that edifies and encourages others to be morally pure.

“All right,” you may be saying, “I’m convinced. I need to proactively guard my heart against immorality. But how?” Here are some practical safeguards for moral purity gleaned from God’s Word to get you started. As you prayerfully read through these biblical principles for sexual purity, agree to cooperate with God and commit yourself to the pathway of moral purity—for a lifetime.

Recognize your potential for moral failure.

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12)

Restrain your fleshly desires.

Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (Romans 13:14)

Run from every form of evil.

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22)

Renew your mind with the Word of God.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Rely on the Holy Spirit.

Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

Recruit help.

Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16)

It is difficult to achieve victory in any struggle with sin, especially of a moral nature, without the help of godly friends. If you find yourself failing morally (or enslaved to any other sinful habit), identify a mature, godly believer (of the same sex) and humble yourself by admitting your need to that person. Ask him or her to pray for you and hold you accountable in whatever specific areas you need help in.

Consider:

How does sexual sin affect our relationship with others? With God?