Sexual Integrity

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1

I have come with a very heavy heart concerning this topic.

This is by no means an easy topic to discuss.

We must learn to deal with lust, covetousness, and immorality.

Don't let yourself become deceived, proud or arrogant.

I just want to encourage those of you who are out there who are married, and those who are still pure.

I know that there is a lot of pressure from the opposite sex.

If you have fallen, get back up, ask God's forgiveness and sin no more.

There are those out there that say it will never happen to me.

I would never be unfaithful to my spouse.

Watch out.

Especially if you think that this subject does not concern you.

We must hang onto those firm solid foundations that will help steer our lives in a meaningful manner.

Face it the world is not the same as it was a few decades ago.

It is impossible to come to terms with moral purity without dealing with some practical facts related to the body.

Our bodies can lead us off course if we don't learn to control it.

In today's society it is hard to drive past a billboard, or even turn on the television without encountering sexual signals.

You must guard yourself against sexual impurity.

I can't emphasize enough, if you don't think this can happen to you and you think that you are immune, watch out.

You must particularly guard yourself.

Do you know your body?

Do you know what weakens the control of your body?

Do you know how to stay clear of the danger zones?

"God wants you to be holy, so don't be immoral in matters of sex. Respect and honor your wife. [a] Don't be a slave of your desires or live like people who don't know God. You must not cheat any of the Lord's followers in matters of sex. [b] Remember, we warned you that he punishes everyone who does such things. God didn't choose you to be filthy, but to be pure." 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 - Contemporary English Version

Do not have after hours appointments alone with members of the opposite sex, unless it is your wife.

Do not hesitate to request counseling if there are serious problems in your marriage.

Do not hesitate to ask a friend of the same gender to help you be accountable for your actions.

Do not hesitate to bring your actions to God to be washed under His blood and be set free.

Start and maintain a personal habit of discipline that includes prayer, worship, and Bible study.

Start each day by asking for God's strength to get you through.

Start disciplining your mind through scripture memorization.

Develop a way to stay busy, that way your body will have to behave.

The battle can be very difficult, but the commitment to sexual purity pays rich dividends.

"The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body." 1 Corinthians 6:13b - English Standard Version

We need to be careful how we deal with members of the opposite sex.

If you are married, intentionally take time to nurture your marriage by consistently setting time aside with your spouse.

My whole point in bringing this to you is to let you know that personal purity is attainable.

In today's society, they tell you otherwise by their actions.

Most think that it is an outdated standard from the past, it is not.

Moral purity is not some unachievable goal.

It is not an outdated standard.

It is counsel out of God's word.

"God didn't choose you to be filthy, but to be pure. So if you don't obey these rules, you are not really disobeying us. You are disobeying God, who gives you his Holy Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 Contemporary English Version

Here are some other scriptures to think on...

"Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lusts and evil passions. Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members [and [a]faculties] to sin as instruments (tools) of wickedness. But offer and yield yourselves to God as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and [b]faculties] to God, presenting them as implements of righteousness." Romans 6:12-13 Amplified Bible

"God honored the Master's body by raising it from the grave. He'll treat yours with the same resurrection power. Until that time, remember that your bodies are created with the same dignity as the Master's body. You wouldn't take the Master's body off to a whorehouse, would you? I should hope not." 1 Corinthians 6:15 - The Message Bible

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;" 1 Corinthians 6:19 - New International Version

"For ye are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's" 1 Corinthians 6:20 - 21st Century King James Version

Are you a Christian who has started to slip morally?

Will you be man or woman enough to deal with it and seek help?

Perhaps you currently hold a high position in leadership, while living an impure life;will you be honest enough to turn and run from your sin?

Maybe you know of a brother or sister in God's family who is compromising his or her testimony, would you pray for them?

Would you pray that God would confront that person in a spirit of humility?

Don't be judgmental of them, but pray for them.

"Judge not, that ye be not judged" Matthew 7:1