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Week 2: Tuesday
Scripture Verses
- Matthew 5:27–30
- 1 Corinthians 6:12–20
- James 3:13–18
Questions to Consider
- Why does God command us to avoid sexual impurity?
- What are the consequences of sexual impurity for individuals, families, society, and the Church?
- What steps do you take to intentionally live holy and pure?
- How does Jesus help us live pure lives?
Plan of Action
- Take an inventory of media you consume. Cut out media which is less than wholesome. Replace it with something which will point you towards God rather than away from him.
- If sexual impurity is a challenge in your life, build accountability into your life.
- Be vigilant towards what your children are being exposed to. Talk with them about it. Consider how you might protect them.
Reflection
Today we cover a weighty subject. We are talking about giving up impurity. The Apostle Paul writes:
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 (ESV)
This is easier said than done. We live in a highly sexualized and elicit culture. Impurity is everywhere. We see it in TV, movies, and best-selling books. Access to pornography is easier than ever before. Children are exposed at a younger and younger age.
Our calling is to live holy lives. Our calling is to be set apart and live different. It is even more critical in this hyper-sexualized world we strive for purity in our lives.
In 2 Samuel 11:1–27, we read about the story of David and Bathsheba. The story begins with David staying behind at the palace while his men went to war. This is the first problem. David was not where he was supposed to be. It left him in a compromising position.
In striving to live pure lives it is important for us to avoid putting ourselves in compromising positions. This starts with our choices about what we read and what we watch. It starts with what we visit on the Internet. It starts with boundaries we set towards those of the opposite sex.
The second thing that happens is David sees this beautiful woman bathing. But rather than turning away he inquires as to who she is. Because all the fighting men were at war there was no one to tell David this was a dumb idea. He had no accountability.
If living pure is a struggle for you, building accountability is one of the most important things you can do. Do you have filters on your computer? Do you have others you can openly talk with about this? Many of us struggle as we fight this battle alone. But this is not a battle to fight alone.
David was the King. He thought he was bigger than this. But this adulterous affair would be his undoing. His family suffered greatly. David would see a daughter raped and sons murdered. All stemmed from this momentary indiscretion. If David had to do it all over again, I am sure he would have run as far as he could run.
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18 (ESV)
This verse does not just say avoid sexual immorality. It says flee from sexual immorality. Run away as far as you can. Don’t think it could never happen to you. Too many marriages and ministries have been ruined when individuals thought that they were bigger than it.
When we run, God gives us a place to run. We run to Jesus Christ. God created us with a need for him. Jesus is the only thing that will fulfill that need. We try to find fulfillment in so many other things. David had everything as the King, but it still was not enough. He hoped to find in Bathsheba what was missing. What he actually found was that other things in life may satisfy for a short time but never truly satisfy. In the end he was left with more misery.
It is only in Jesus where we find complete fulfillment. Only he completely fills the emptiness inside. Overcoming impurity is not a matter of will-power, but a matter of God’s power at work in you.
Mary Spiegel says
I tried to be a Woman in my marriage, but was rejected by my spouse. I lived a childish life for 15 years after as we never solved the problem. I then found out I was neglected as a child and on and on. I tried everything I knew how to do, but was unloved and actually hated for my efforts. What we need is to have a revival in this country.
Jeff Lindh says
In 1 Cor. 6:9, immediately preceding our passage Paul begins his statement, “Do not be deceived…” We ourselves and the evil one and the world are constantly trying to deceive us as to the outcome of illicit sex. No consequences or judgment or condemnation seem acceptable any longer by our society. Proverbs has much to say on this. Proverbs 9, woman folly beckons as a prostitute, tempting with the forbidden. Staying on the straight and narrow path is difficult. Keep the focus on Jesus, He is the path, the truth that leads to life.
Mary Burch says
Psalm 51 reveals David’s true repentance of his sin, and we know that he was completely forgiven by God, as we are. I would like to have seen this meditation follow with the grace that David was shown. Guilt can be as devastating as the sin that causes it, and we must be reminded that the gift of grace and forgiveness is ours as well when there is true repentance.