READ: Proverbs 16:2, 20:9, 20:11
In the previous
day we looked at the need to stay sexually pure and how tempting it is to be
otherwise. It would be easy to move on and exclaim – “now I’m all good in this
area!” However, we would do well to pause and wrestle with some an additional
piece of wisdom we find in Proverbs. Sometimes we can fool ourselves into
thinking everything is good! Or as Proverbs 20:9 declares, “who can say, ‘I
have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin?’” It is very difficult to do
so, so let’s dig into to this idea of purity even more!
Sexual purity
requires that we consider what we’re doing with both our eyes, the rest of our
bodies and our spirits. A person can
be pure with their body, but sin by what is going on internally. We often use
the word “lust” in relation to sexual sin and rightfully so. At times a person
can be doing the right things with their body (i.e. keeping the physical act of
sex within marriage), but “lust” or “long” for another in their spirit. This
sin can be triggered by so many things, including an unhappy marriage, improper
media choices or even books. It takes much awareness and watchfulness to move
our lives towards absolute, God-honoring purity.
Does this goal
seem impossible? In our own efforts, it is. However, even here Proverbs gives
us hope. It says that, “all the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the
LORD weighs the spirit” (16:2). We must allow God to shine His light on any
dark areas in our inner beings, showing us where we lust and long for that
which is not to be ours.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1.
If
married, ask God to show you any unhealthiness in your marriage. Such “lack”
can lead to impurity. Ask Him for a strategy on how to grow. If single, ask Him
to give you the strength to stay pure in every way. Ask Him to give you any
strategies that you specifically need.
2.
Spend
some time asking God if there are people that you need to share these truths
about purity with – someone in your cell group, ministry, family or workplace?
If He says yes, ask Him how to go about this in a clear, but gentle manner.
