“A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thorn bushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. So why do you keep calling Me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to Me, listens to My teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.“ Luke 6:45-48 NLT
Why would I start an article about sexual purity with this particular Scripture reference? It is because in our present world, where atheistic humanism is rampant with all manner of alternative standards, we need an unshakable, unwavering, undeniable, and perfect standard. Here it is! Pastor Andrew Murray probably said it best in the title of his book, “Absolute Surrender.” That is our standard—perfect obedience!
We are surrounded by an environment where standards are mixed. The byword in the military culture is “Professional Excellence.” However, if we scrutinize this phrase a little more closely, we shall see that it falls short of perfection. Excellence by its very nature makes allowance for something less than perfection.
Excellence
EX’CELLENCE
EXCELLENCY, n. [L. excellentia.] The state of possessing good qualities in an unusual or eminent degree; the state of excelling in any thing.
A valuable quality; anything highly laudable, meritorious or virtuous, in persons, or valuable and esteemed, in things. Purity of heart, uprightness of mind, sincerity, virtue, piety, are excellencies of character; symmetry of parts, strength and beauty are excellencies of body; an accurate knowledge of an art is an excellence in the artisan; soundness and durability are excellencies in timber; fertility, in land; elegance, in writing. In short, whatever contributes to exalt man, or to render him esteemed and happy, or to bless society, is in him an excellence.
In the commercial world we find businesses seeking after excellence. One could hope that they would also be in search of perfection; however, the reality is that perfection would be too costly and would diminish the bottom line on the financial reports. Business would rather create the perception of perfection for their customers and instead find an acceptable balance between quality and cost (best practices). (“Every Man’s Battle,” Arterburn & Stoeker)
How does this compare with the Bible’s standard for our sexual purity?
“But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28 NLT
Here Christ reveals to us that the commandment did not apply only to an external act, but also to the secrets of our hearts, and even the movements of our eyes. “He declares that they who indulge a wanton desire, that they who look on a woman to increase their lust, have already, in the sight of God, violated the commandment, and committed adultery in the heart. Such was the guilt of David, whose deep and awful crime fully shows the danger of indulging in evil desires, and in the roving of a wanton eye. See 2 Samuel 11; Psalm 51. See also 2 Peter 2:14. So exceeding strict and broad is the law of God! And so heinous in his sight are thoughts and feelings which may be forever concealed from the world!” (Dr. Albert Barnes)
“If voluntary and deliberate looks and desires make adulterers and adulteresses, how many persons are there whose whole life is one continued crime? Whose eyes being full of adultery, they cannot cease from sin, 2 Peter 2:14. Many would abhor to commit one external act before the eyes of men, in a temple of stone; and yet they are not afraid to commit a multitude of such acts in the temple of their hearts, and in the sight of God!” (Dr. Adam Clarke)
A very short sojourn on television, a walk on the beach, or even driving by a billboard in the world of today might, by this standard, leave you defiled and an adulterer.
“For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” Mark 7:21-23 NLT
So how are you doing, shipmate? Is the secret life of your own eyes leaving you the benefactor of the evil that lives within your heart? Be Encouraged! All the power of the universe is available to separate you from your sin! The question Jesus asks is, “Do you want to be healed?” Do you want to live on “the Rock” or under it?
So then, where is the victory for those of us who have a pulse, can fog a mirror, and have the tendency to see the world through earthly eyes? The secret has been revealed, Jesus Christ, the Lord!
The aforementioned quote from Luke 6 is one of the places where we can find the victory. It speaks of our obedience (or lack thereof) and the condition of our heart! Faith and obedience are toes on the same foot!
If we wait for God to change us before we act, we are cowering in the ditch of passivity! If we act apart from the Lord (being yoked together with Him) we are lying in the ditch of arrogance! (Roy Hession, “Calvary Road,” “We Would See Jesus,” paraphrase mine) But if we claim the promise of Romans Chapter 8:1-2, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.“ (NLT), and put it into practice (take the first step with one foot and two toes) we will find the victory assured with each step! Because now we will be walking on “the Rock.”
God is not slack in His promise; each day is by His “command.” The question then, warrior, is can you take an order issued by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Do you want to be healed?
What then is the cause of our failure? Is this not the “lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh and the boastful pride of life” that John warned us about—the following of our “evil, lustful desires” as we “despise authority”? (1 John 2:15-16, 2 Peter 2:10) God’s forgiveness is not license to make light of our sin! Christ’s death on the Cross exclaims for all time how seriously God takes our sin! God’s mercy is not an excuse for us to grow lax and live careless lives so that His Grace will super abound. (Romans 6)
Sexual immorality is one of the chief causes of divorce! That is why I continue to bring up the necessity for living the lives of purity to which we are called. It is time for the men of this country to take the hint from Job and make a covenant with our eyes! (Job 31:1)
Then we will be following God’s plan for our eyes to be focused on our wives, “forsaking all others, according to God’s holy ordinance I do pledge thee my troth” (fidelity, faith, belief, truth, verity, veracity).
My heart sinks with every e-mail, every phone call that tells me yet another marriage is in crisis. And as we work together to seek the causes and peel back the layers of a lifetime, the god of this age emerges, (pornea).
Fornication: The incontinence or lewdness of unmarried persons, male or female; also, the criminal conversation of a married man with an unmarried woman. (Noah Webster)
Incontinence: Want of restraint of the passions or appetites; free or uncontrolled indulgence of the passions or appetites, as of anger. Want of restraint of the sexual appetite; free or illegal indulgence of lust; lewdness; used of either sex, but appropriately of the male sex. Incontinence in men is the same as unchastity in women.
“What are the distinguishing qualifications of those that are in favor with God, and entitled to His eternal rewards? Or, which come to the same thing, What is the nature of true religion? And wherein do lie the distinguishing notes of that virtue and holiness that is acceptable in the sight of God? But though it be of such importance, and though we have clear and abundant light in the word of God to direct us in this matter, yet there is no one point wherein professing Christians do more differ one from another. It would be endless to reckon up the variety of opinions on this point, that divide the Christian world; making manifest the truth of that declaration of our Savior, “Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it.” Dr. Jonathan Edwards, “The Religious Affections”
“Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.” Psalm 127:1 NLT
Sexual Purity: On the Rock or Under It?
“A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thorn bushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. So why do you keep calling Me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to Me, listens to My teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.“ Luke 6:45-48 NLT
Why would I start an article about sexual purity with this particular Scripture reference? It is because in our present world, where atheistic humanism is rampant with all manner of alternative standards, we need an unshakable, unwavering, undeniable, and perfect standard. Here it is! Pastor Andrew Murray probably said it best in the title of his book, “Absolute Surrender.” That is our standard—perfect obedience!
We are surrounded by an environment where standards are mixed. The byword in the military culture is “Professional Excellence.” However, if we scrutinize this phrase a little more closely, we shall see that it falls short of perfection. Excellence by its very nature makes allowance for something less than perfection.
Excellence
EX’CELLENCE
EXCELLENCY, n. [L. excellentia.] The state of possessing good qualities in an unusual or eminent degree; the state of excelling in any thing.
In the commercial world we find businesses seeking after excellence. One could hope that they would also be in search of perfection; however, the reality is that perfection would be too costly and would diminish the bottom line on the financial reports. Business would rather create the perception of perfection for their customers and instead find an acceptable balance between quality and cost (best practices). (“Every Man’s Battle,” Arterburn & Stoeker)
How does this compare with the Bible’s standard for our sexual purity?
“But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28 NLT
Here Christ reveals to us that the commandment did not apply only to an external act, but also to the secrets of our hearts, and even the movements of our eyes. “He declares that they who indulge a wanton desire, that they who look on a woman to increase their lust, have already, in the sight of God, violated the commandment, and committed adultery in the heart. Such was the guilt of David, whose deep and awful crime fully shows the danger of indulging in evil desires, and in the roving of a wanton eye. See 2 Samuel 11; Psalm 51. See also 2 Peter 2:14. So exceeding strict and broad is the law of God! And so heinous in his sight are thoughts and feelings which may be forever concealed from the world!” (Dr. Albert Barnes)
“If voluntary and deliberate looks and desires make adulterers and adulteresses, how many persons are there whose whole life is one continued crime? Whose eyes being full of adultery, they cannot cease from sin, 2 Peter 2:14. Many would abhor to commit one external act before the eyes of men, in a temple of stone; and yet they are not afraid to commit a multitude of such acts in the temple of their hearts, and in the sight of God!” (Dr. Adam Clarke)
A very short sojourn on television, a walk on the beach, or even driving by a billboard in the world of today might, by this standard, leave you defiled and an adulterer.
“For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” Mark 7:21-23 NLT
So how are you doing, shipmate? Is the secret life of your own eyes leaving you the benefactor of the evil that lives within your heart? Be Encouraged! All the power of the universe is available to separate you from your sin! The question Jesus asks is, “Do you want to be healed?” Do you want to live on “the Rock” or under it?
So then, where is the victory for those of us who have a pulse, can fog a mirror, and have the tendency to see the world through earthly eyes? The secret has been revealed, Jesus Christ, the Lord!
The aforementioned quote from Luke 6 is one of the places where we can find the victory. It speaks of our obedience (or lack thereof) and the condition of our heart! Faith and obedience are toes on the same foot!
If we wait for God to change us before we act, we are cowering in the ditch of passivity! If we act apart from the Lord (being yoked together with Him) we are lying in the ditch of arrogance! (Roy Hession, “Calvary Road,” “We Would See Jesus,” paraphrase mine) But if we claim the promise of Romans Chapter 8:1-2, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.“ (NLT), and put it into practice (take the first step with one foot and two toes) we will find the victory assured with each step! Because now we will be walking on “the Rock.”
God is not slack in His promise; each day is by His “command.” The question then, warrior, is can you take an order issued by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Do you want to be healed?
What then is the cause of our failure? Is this not the “lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh and the boastful pride of life” that John warned us about—the following of our “evil, lustful desires” as we “despise authority”? (1 John 2:15-16, 2 Peter 2:10) God’s forgiveness is not license to make light of our sin! Christ’s death on the Cross exclaims for all time how seriously God takes our sin! God’s mercy is not an excuse for us to grow lax and live careless lives so that His Grace will super abound. (Romans 6)
Sexual immorality is one of the chief causes of divorce! That is why I continue to bring up the necessity for living the lives of purity to which we are called. It is time for the men of this country to take the hint from Job and make a covenant with our eyes! (Job 31:1)
Then we will be following God’s plan for our eyes to be focused on our wives, “forsaking all others, according to God’s holy ordinance I do pledge thee my troth” (fidelity, faith, belief, truth, verity, veracity).
My heart sinks with every e-mail, every phone call that tells me yet another marriage is in crisis. And as we work together to seek the causes and peel back the layers of a lifetime, the god of this age emerges, (pornea).
Fornication: The incontinence or lewdness of unmarried persons, male or female; also, the criminal conversation of a married man with an unmarried woman. (Noah Webster)
Incontinence: Want of restraint of the passions or appetites; free or uncontrolled indulgence of the passions or appetites, as of anger. Want of restraint of the sexual appetite; free or illegal indulgence of lust; lewdness; used of either sex, but appropriately of the male sex. Incontinence in men is the same as unchastity in women.
“What are the distinguishing qualifications of those that are in favor with God, and entitled to His eternal rewards? Or, which come to the same thing, What is the nature of true religion? And wherein do lie the distinguishing notes of that virtue and holiness that is acceptable in the sight of God? But though it be of such importance, and though we have clear and abundant light in the word of God to direct us in this matter, yet there is no one point wherein professing Christians do more differ one from another. It would be endless to reckon up the variety of opinions on this point, that divide the Christian world; making manifest the truth of that declaration of our Savior, “Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it.” Dr. Jonathan Edwards, “The Religious Affections”
“Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.” Psalm 127:1 NLT