INTRODUCTION:
Ø This is an issue that has no age barriers.
Ø I could spend a great deal of time mentioning names.
Ø People you and I know who have scoffed at this verse
Ø Peer pressure, TV, Internet, etc. all contribute to the problem.
Ø The statistics, which we’ll look at later, are alarming!
Ø All because of a failure to heed the Word of God
Ø World’s Philosophy: “Everybody’s doing it”
Ø What does the Word of God have to say?
BODY:
I. The CYCLE of Sexual Impurity
A. Impurity originates in the heart.
Matthew 15:18-19 “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
B. Impurity continues with non-physical sin.
Matthew 5:27-28 “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
C. Impurity advances with adultery and fornication.
James 1:15 “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
II. The CAUSE of Sexual Impurity
A. Isolation from God’s Word.
Psalm 119:9-11 “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed [thereto] according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
B. Rebellion against God’s principles.
Proverbs 14:14 “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man [shall be satisfied] from himself.”
C. Admiration for the world.
1 John 2:15-16 “Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
D. Viewing questionable, sinful images.
Psalms 101:3 “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave to me.”
E. Positioning one’s self too near potential sin.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
III. The CURSE of Sexual Impurity
A. Impurity results in broken fellowship with God.
Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear.”
1 John 1:6 “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:”
B. Impurity may result in chastisement from God.
Hebrews 12:6-8 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”
TURN TO 2 SAMUEL 12:1-14
IV. The CURE for Sexual Impurity
A. Confess it
Psalm 32:5 “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.”
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
TURN TO PSALM 51:1-12
B. Forsake and repent of it—Agree with God about it.
Isaiah 55:7 “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”
Acts 8:22 “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”
C. Learn to hate it.
Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
Amos 5:15 “Hate the evil, and love the good…”
D. Remove provisions for defeat.
Romans 13:14 “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].”
E. Depend upon the Armor of God
TURN TO EPHESIANS 6:10-18
F. Make an eye-shielding covenant.
Job 31:1 “ I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?”
Matthew 6:22-23 “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great [is] that darkness!”
G. Fear God.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.”
Psalm 34:9 “O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for [there is] no want to them that fear him.”
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 3:7 “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”
Proverbs 16:6 “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil.”
What does it mean to “Fear God”?
Ø A constant awareness of an Almighty God on board.
Ø A constant awareness that He is keeping an accurate account of all my actions, attitudes and alliances.
Ø A constant awareness that one day I will be judged according to the account.
CONCLUSION:
1. “I didn’t need this message; I’m strong enough to resist!”
1 Corinthians 10:12 “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
Proverbs 16:18 “Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
2. “I’ve already given my body to God.”—Do it again
3. You can’t regain your virginity, but you can regain your purity.
