LEADERSHIPU Purity WHAT IS PURITY Many times when

LEADERSHIP-U Purity

WHAT IS PURITY? Many times when someone hears the word purity, their mind immediately goes to the concept of sexual purity. While that is certainly an important aspect of a Christian’s life, the concept of purity goes far beyond physical purity. Purity is not perfection or following a list of rules, it is the determination to be careful about what you allow into your life.

WHAT IS PURITY? Philippians 4: 8 says, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ” To be an example of purity, you must guard your heart. Proverbs 4: 23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. ”

LOT Genesis 13 - Lot, who faces challenges in setting priority on preserving his purity. Lot and Abraham have been traveling together, and both had become very wealthy with livestock, silver, and gold. When they travelled together, the land struggled to support all the animals. Quarrels were starting among the herdsman. In order to make peace, Abraham tells Lot to choose any land that he would like, and that he, Abraham, will turn and go in the opposite direction.

LOT Lot looks out over the plain of Jordan and sees that it is good land, well watered, and would produce him much. However, there was something else about this land that Lot does not recognize. Perhaps he was blinded by greed, or perhaps he recognized the potential trouble, yet thought that it would not affect him.

GOD EXAMINES MOTIVES Proverbs 16: 2 - People may be pure in their own eyes, but the lord examines their motives. We all have the tendency to convince ourselves that we are right. We can convince ourselves that the type of music or things we view with our eyes will have no effect on our spiritual life.

BACK TO LOT In Genesis 12: 13, the problem with Lot’s choice is revealed. It says that Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom was renowned in the land for its pervasive wickedness. Lot saw how beautiful and plentiful the land was. He loved the profit he could gain more he hated the wickedness in Sodom. Lot had pride, that told him that the sin of these people would not have an effect on him.

WE’RE LIKE LOT We are guilty of the same pride when we knowingly expose ourselves to things that are contrary to our faith, and think that they will not affect us in some way. When Abraham rescued him and retrieved his belongings, this was a perfect opportunity to set out and start somewhere new, but Lot stayed.

BUT WE SHOULD BE LIKEABRAHAM The King of Sodom offered Abraham all the goods that he retrieved in the raid. Abraham answered him by saying that he promised God that he would accept nothing belonging to the king, so that the king could never take credit for his wealth. Unlike Lot, Abraham cared more about staying focused on God than what he could profit.

THE EFFECT OF OUR ENVIRONMENT The land Lot lived in was so pervasively wicked that God planned to destroy the city he lived in. Lot was ultimately rescued due to the intercession of Abraham. However, there were lasting effects of his life in Sodom. Lot’s wife died as they fled Sodom because she looked back when instructed not to. Her actions showed a lack of obedience and a lack of respect for the power of God. You can also look in following chapters at the behavior of Lot’s daughters that indicate how the unrighteous people they lived among affected their behavior, faith, and reverence for God’s commands.

THE EFFECT OF OUR ENVIRONMENT We can convince ourselves that we are stronger than the temptation. We can convince ourselves that it will have no effect on our walk with God. We want to surround ourselves with things that make us more sensitive to the Holy Spirit, not things that make us desensitized to sin. You should notice sin.

FLEEING TEMPTATION 1 Corinthians 10: 13 says, “Your temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. ” If God gives you a way out of a tempting situation, TAKE IT! Don’t wonder, don’t make a “pro-con list, ” take the exit. God will honor your obedience and help you work out the details.

FLEEING TEMPTATION 2 Timothy 2: 22 -24 tells us to flee temptation. Scripture tells us many times to be bold and courageous, but when talking of temptation, it tells us to flee. Let us not fool ourselves into thinking we can “handle it. ” We are told to get away and get away fast! God makes a way for us to escape our temptations and we need to take it.

LOVE GOD OVER EVERYTHING Love God and obedience to his Word more than you love anything else. Love Him more than the music you choose, more than the friend group you are in, more than money you can make, more than human acceptance. Love pleasing God more than anything else, and your faith will find purity.

OUT OF SECULSION We are not called to live secluded lives. But we need a support system of committed believers. If you find yourself being conformed to this world, examine your use of support from other believers. God is God enough to bring your friends to a saving knowledge of him without you putting yourself in compromising situations. Matthew 16: 26 says, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? ”

BE ALERT The call to purity is a call to be alert. Be alert to the messages that are coming into your life through the things you see, the things you hear, and the company you keep. Are these things bringing you in closer relationship with Jesus? If not, it is time to make some changes.

IT’S NOT WHAT YOU DO Purity is not something we do. It is something we become by submitting our choices to God’s Word. Psalm 119: 9 - How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. Purity goes beyond your outward actions. Are you heart and motives pure? is your heart in obedience? Matthew 5: 8