Series Two: The Man of God

The culture is heading down a path and continues to rail against God and what the Scriptures require as purity. Even churches are compromising the standards. It starts with us as we live counter-culturally, to live a life that is totally against the grain of society. We must let the Bible define moral purity. Living a pure life is not optional for the professing Christian. We know that it is the Spirit of God who enables us to have consistent victory over impurities as we yield our will in obedience to Christ. We are never passive as we seek to be pure. We strive every moment of every day.

1. The man’s thought life (Matt 15:19–20)
   1. The necessity of a careful thought life
      1. Sober-mindedness
      2. Be on guard (1 Pet 5:8).
      3. Careful thinking in relation to culture
      4. Careful thinking in relation to liberties
   2. The necessity of being eternally-minded
      1. Our hope is based on what is to come.
      2. Our hope is not in this world.
2. The way to mind renovation
   1. Renewal (Rom 12:1–2; Eph 4:22–24; Ps 119)
   2. Renovate our minds in fear of the Lord
      1. We were not redeemed by perishable deeds.
      2. We were redeemed in moral purity.
      3. We need to strive to be pure from the inside.
         1. When we are not, we trade on God’s grace.
         2. God’s kindness and mercy is instructive.
         3. God’s kindness protects us from our folly and selfishness.
      4. We need to acknowledge God’s grace.
      5. We need to accept the grace of others’ instruction.
         1. Their battle
         2. Their council
         3. Their accountability
      6. We need to be pliable to the Word.
      7. Remember, we are always vulnerable.
      8. We are less spiritually mature than we tend to imagine.
3. Take a systematic approach that is filled with truth.
   1. Place truth in the mind.
      1. We must yield in faith.
      2. We must be led by the Holy Spirit.
         1. Intend daily to be pure.
         2. Intend daily to strive.
      3. Use the commands of Scripture as a tool.
         1. Sexual purity is a must as a Christian.
         2. Neither impurity nor impure speech should be named among you (Eph 5:3).
         3. Take every thought captive (2 Cor 10:5).
   2. Protect yourself against fleshly desires (Rom 8:13; 13:14; 1 Thess 4).
4. Warnings about an impure lifestyle
   1. Porneía word group (sexual immorality outside of marriage) (1 Cor 6:18)
   2. Epithumía word group (strong desires and cravings—lust) (Jas 1:15)
   3. God will not be mocked.
      1. You will destroy your conscience.
      2. He will expose your sin.
      3. You will have long-term consequences (Ps 51).
      4. You cannot control it. It will consume you.
   4. He will avenge His name (1 Thess 4:6).
   5. God will forgive and He is merciful; He will also discipline, even severely (Heb 12:12–13).
5. Choose your friends and influencers wisely (Prov 18:24; 22:24).
   1. Live righteously and then impure people will not want to be with you.
   2. Be thoughtful about influences in your life.
   3. Watch out for “leaders” and “pastors” who are impure.
   4. Watch out for those with loose morals and “liberties” that are on the edge.
   5. Make Scripture the standard you live by.
   6. Be careful about your media intake.
   7. Be careful of your acquaintances that work against your conscience.
   8. A fall in one area will make it easier to fall in others.

“Sexual purity prevents destruction, but sexual impurity destroys.”