Sexual impurity abounds! It’s everywhere. Promiscuity has become the norm in our society. While waiting in grocery store checkout lines, we see it plastered over all the magazine headlines.
When turning on the television, it’s hard to find a show free of sexual innuendos. Today, couples are expected to live together before marriage. If someone wants to remain a virgin until their wedding night, they are judged as uptight and frigid. The world does not value sexual purity but God does. In fact, He expects it! We are told to abstain from sexual immorality and practice self-control.
“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” 1 John 2:16 (NKJV)
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (NKJV)
We are certainly living in the days of Noah! Evil is exploding everywhere. Just as in Noah’s time, the world is filled with violence. We need to be on guard lest the ways of this world taint our vision of eternity and God’s holy Word.
“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
Genesis 6:5 (NKJV)
Billy Graham wrote, In God’s eyes, impurity is one of the most revolting sins because it twists and distorts one of God’s most precious gifts: human love.
Satan has done his best to pervert and twist God’s love. Where the love of God is pure, empty of self and abounding in sacrifice, worldly love is all about self-pleasure and temporary highs. True love is patient. It is honorable. Lust isn’t. Lust wants immediate pleasure and satisfaction without the commitment of a relationship.
“As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance.” 1 Peter 1:14 (NKJV)
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:16 (NKJV)
How can we remain pure during this present age? Our times are so blatantly evil! Take heart friends. If Noah managed to maintain his godly character among an evil generation we can too. It is possible to maintain our purity but it requires faith and a strong relationship with God. A mediocre spiritual walk will not be enough to side-step evil and avoid the consequences of compromise.
“This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.” Genesis 6:9 (NKJV)
From this verse, we learn that Noah was a just (righteous, lawful) and perfect (upright, without a spot, wholesome, has integrity, innocent, entirely in accord with truth) man. Additionally, he walked with God in a conversant manner. This means Noah kept an ongoing dialogue with God. There was no lack of commitment. They had a personal relationship.
Walking in sexual purity will certainly catch the attention of others. Expect the world to mock and tease. Non-believers won’t understand such actions because it is spiritual. Teach your children that sexual purity pleases God. Tell them that sex is a beautiful gift but is meant only for their helpmate and partner in life. There is no shame in being a virgin, only honor. Chastity requires self-control and self-control is a gift of the spirit. Encourage them to pray for the fruit of the Spirit and grasp the gift of sexual purity.
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Hebrews 13:4 (NIV)
“And said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:5-6 (NKJV)