1. Sexual Purity Matters

2. 1. The Bible teaches that sexual relations are to be enjoyed only within the context of the marriage of one man and one woman.

3. Deut. 5:1- “Do not commit adultery.”

4. Heb. 13:4 “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”

5. Colossians 3:5- "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry."

6. Many people see these prohibitions as God’s desire to keep them from having fun.

7. John 10:10- “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.”

8. 2. Those whom the Lord loves, He disciplines.

9. Proverbs 9:10- “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

10. The thing the present disciples of Jesus need to recover is the concept of the holiness of God and His requirement of holiness in our lives.

11. Ephesians 4:17-24 “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding

12. and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to

13. sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

14. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

15. and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

16. Do you have a sexual sin in your life that is hidden from everyone else?

17. Gal. 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature,

18. from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

19. 3. The only way that we can overcome these powerful urges is to walk in the power of the Spirit.

20. Staying sexually pure in today’s society is extremely difficult.

21. Although staying pure in our society is difficult, it is possible.

22. 1 Cor. 10:13- “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.

23. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

24. "The flesh sets itself against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh for these are in opposition to one another so that you cannot do the things that you please.

25. But I say, walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh." (Gal. 5:16, 17)

26. What does walking in the Spirit involve?

27. Spend time fellowshipping with Him

28. Learn to trust that He knows what is best for your life

29. Submit your life to His leadership

30. Know that you are holy. “You shall be Holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16)

31. You will come to the point that you are no longer comfortable with sin.

32. Psa. 139:23 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

33. Is. 1:18-20 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

34. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.