Sexual Purity You must be holy because I, the LORD, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own. Leviticus 20:26 NLT Elvis Presley September 9, 1956 The battle is for our hearts as well as our minds. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. Matthew 15:19 ESV The Sexual Revolution • 43% of US children live without their father. • 75% of adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes. • 90% of homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes. The Sexual Revolution • 71% of pregnant teenagers lack a father. • 71% of high school dropouts come from fatherless homes. • 85% of youths in prisons grew up in a fatherless home. The Sexual Revolution • Of Christian men 50% admit that they Struggle with “Pornography “ • 33%Christian Pastors • 80% of men and women admit to routinely flirting with the opposite sex • 60% of men will have at least one affair during a marriage in their lifetime. Sexual Immorality • If we fight a spiritual battle with human means we will fail. • We cannot overcome the temptations of the flesh by will power alone. • Our weapons are not Physical but Spiritual Sexual Immorality • “Natural result” of our sin working in us. Sin can be defined as any thought or action which attempts to gratify the flesh and rob God of His intended Glory. Sexual Immorality • Any sexual sin is a legitimate need being met in an illegitimate way. • God has created us for a purpose, the ultimate purpose is to bring glory and honor to God. Sexual Immorality • • • • • • • • Divorce Abortion Homosexuality Rape Incest Drug Abuse Alcoholism Mental & Emotional Disorders “Gods Design” • • • • • • • Healthy Relationships Confidence (Mental edge) Peace Reputation (our witness) Physical Health God’s blessing Reward Sexual Purity Marriage is more than just a piece of paper; it is an institution which has been created by God. Sexual Purity God has provided the institution of marriage to protect us from temptation and harm. Sexual Purity God created sex to be a beautiful experience between a man and a woman in the protection and confines of a healthy marriage. Sexual Purity Through this union we experience intimacy rather than lust and joy free from guilt and the temptation of sin. Sexual Purity If you are married God has entrusted you with someone who is very precious to Him. Sexual Purity Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Hebrews 13:4 ESV Conviction A fixed or firm belief; the act of moving a person by argument or evidence to belief, agreement, consent, or course of action. Sexual Purity • If you desire to come to God you must first give up sinning and clean yourself up. True or False? Practical Tools for Purity • Meditate • Abide • Pray • Study Practical Tools for Purity “Meditate” I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. Psalms 119:15 ESV Practical Tools for Purity “Abide” Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. John 15:4 ESV Practical Tools for Purity “Pray” Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 ESV Practical Tools for Purity “Study” Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 ESV Sexual Purity Practical Tools for Purity How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalms 119:9 – 11 ESV Practical Tools for Purity Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Romans 6:12 NLT