Moral
Purity
Hebrews
13:4
The Bible’s
instruction for moral purity is rather simple. Anyone and everyone can
understand what God has written. The only element that is not provided by God
is your obedience. First, the apostle Paul gives us the simple, straightforward
advice: “flee immorality” (I Cor. 6:18). It could not
be more simply put. Run! There are not many ways to interpret this word. It
means to move away from quickly. It means do so without hesitation. The
strength of the command would imply “when in doubt, run.”
For the
un-athletic, the wisdom writer of the Old Testament slows things down a bit to
a walk. He suggests that when moral danger appears to be present, take an
alternative route (Prov. 5:8). Gas prices are high.
Marriage prices are higher. Drive around. Avoid short cuts. Stay away if you
see it coming and run if it hits you by surprise. Job signed a contract with
his eyes (Job. 31:4). Not a bad idea. When Sports Illustrated added
their “why bother” swimsuit issue, they added a sport that is forbidden by
godly men. Use your track shoes and dump the periodical. Send them a message.
In our last time
together, we saw that God made the woman the most beautiful creature on this
planet. This was, in part, a warning to men to watch out for the danger this
might present, but it was also a call to responsibility for the ladies. Short
skirts and low necklines are messengers of irresponsibility or blatant
rebellion. A godly woman loves her neighbor, as she should, and that means
without tempting exposures.
In our message
today, we shall be speaking about some of the ways in which the marriage bed
can be defiled. The marriage relationship is a sacred trust given to us. The
sexual relationship within marriage is holy ground. It was designed and
ordained by God. Within the marriage relationship, God has determined that the
ability to maintain moral purity is to be strengthened. For this reason, the
apostle writes, “it is better to marry than to burn.” Lust has a place. Outside
of the marriage bond, sensual desire is sin. Within the marriage bond, it is
through God’s plan and provision, sinless pleasure.
Paul begins the
seventh chapter of I Corinthians with an exhortation for both individuals
within the marriage relationship to maintain their God-given responsibility to
strengthen their partner by supplying his or her physical needs. A man who is
satisfied with the wife of his youth is strong on the street. A woman who
respects and admires her husband is given strength to live in a world where
temptations are high. A woman who needs to keep pulling her clothes up or down
to keep herself modest needs to take out a loan and buy some new clothes.
If marriage is to
remain holy, then moral purity is a must. In
Moral Purity
Hebrews
13:4
Seven ways the Marriage bed is defiled
Enveloping
Escaping
Expressions
Elevation
Expanding
Elimination
Eliminating