Purity Love Happy Homes Confidence
Lust Shame Fear Broken Homes Loneliness
Purity of mind, conscience, and body is a tremendous personal asset, a Christian virtue, and a blessing to mankind. Declining moral values of today cause men and women to accept and indulge in behavior that the Bible clearly defines as sin. This behavior has become an accepted way of life for many people. That which God calls sin is often accepted as permissible. What will be the result of this departure from the beautiful plan of God?
Much television, literature, and online content is filled with violence, sex, and immoral practices. Often this impure influence is brought into the home for entertainment. The minds of many men, women, and children are filled with lustful thoughts and desires. Sadly, this evil environment is even found in the homes of some professing Christians.
God’s Word tells us that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection… despisers of those that are good… lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:1-4).
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). In words that we can understand and apply to our lives, Jesus told his disciples, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications” (Matthew 15:19). “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Again, Jesus says in the Holy Scriptures, “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).
Many people seek a life of pleasure and go to all means to satisfy their lust. They enjoy today and do not worry about tomorrow, unconcerned about giving an account of their deeds on the judgment day when all will stand before God. Some of the pleasures indulged in are alcohol, drugs, and sex. Passions can be aroused with very little or no control. Because of these sins, homes are broken and innocent children are left without a father or mother. The Bible, in Galatians 5:19-21, lists some of the sins common to mankind—adultery, fornication (premarital sex), uncleanness, hatred, murders, and drunkenness—and says “they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
When there is a breakdown of biblical morality in society, the children suffer. The lack of teaching and example leaves them without a proper understanding of the value and importance of moral purity.
Many young people engage in sexual relationships before marriage, which is against God’s teaching. They ignore the consequences of these actions thinking they can escape the penalty of sin. But consciences are defiled, purity is lost, and innocence is destroyed. Some single young women become pregnant. This results in shame, guilt, confusion, and the responsibility of caring for a child. Some mothers resort to an abortion. A life is destroyed, adding still more sin and guilt to her heart. Otherwise, young people become parents at a premature age. The carefree years of youth are spoiled because of a little sinful pleasure. The pure beginning that enhances intimacy in marriage is compromised.
Marriage is a blessing to those who follow the plan of God. God intended a man and a woman to be happy and enjoy the marriage union together. “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled” (Hebrews 13:4). A couple in love with each other may plan to marry, but to live together without being married is sin in the eyes of God.
The Word of God speaks against homosexuality. “That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved” (Romans 1:26-27 NLT). When men or women allow sexual lusts to dominate their thoughts, it leads to deviant practices in order to satisfy their unrestrained passions including homosexual behavior. Many homosexuals are no longer ashamed of their immoral conduct. Society encourages them to come out in the open and be accepted. Homosexuality is often excused; however, each person is accountable for their actions.
Sexual sins lead to unhappiness, guilt, and emotional distress. Often these sins become a way of life, and many find themselves caught in an addiction they cannot control or overcome without the help and counsel of others. Certain serious diseases are the result of immoral conduct. HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases cause needless suffering and death. More importantly, sin separates us from God eternally. The impure can have no part in the kingdom of God. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?” (1 Corinthians 6:9).
An immoral life can be changed, an impure mind can be renewed, and sins can be forgiven. The Spirit of God will reprove an individual of sin and will lead him to repentance. We must recognize sin and its seriousness in the eyes of God without self-justification. We must come to God in humility, acknowledging our guilt with a heartfelt sorrow, pleading for forgiveness, and asking for grace to make restitution and forsake sin. Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Let us turn from our evil ways and call unto the Lord while there is time.
The rewards of living a pure life are many. Living in the will of God frees us from guilt and turmoil. Love abounds in the heart where Jesus dwells, and our thoughts become pure. We have peace of mind and freedom from fear. We seek to serve our fellowmen and find true fulfillment. Peace abounds when we have a clean heart and we know we can be with Jesus someday! Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).