Purity of Heart

Getting the Right heart

What did Christ say of the pure in heart?

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8.

What did He declare to be a violation of the seventh commandment?

“You have heard it said, ‘Do not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone that looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Verses 27, 28. 

Ancient Lustful Inclinations

What sins brought on the Deluge?

“When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal, his days will be a hundred and twenty years. The Nephillim were on the earth in those days – and also afterward – when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were heroes of old, men of renown. The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the Lord said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth – men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and the birds of the air – for I am grieved that I have made them. “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth. Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. Genesis 6:1-11.  

What was the character of the inhabitants of Sodom?

“Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.” Genesis 13:13. “They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Ezekiel 16:50.

(See also verse 49.)

Note Genesis 19:1-9 and 2 Peter 2:6-8 show that they were exceedingly corrupt in morals.

When tempted to sin, what noble example did Joseph set?

“No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” Genesis 39:9.

Paul and Christ Speak

Against what are the people of God warned?

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or course joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” Ephesians 5:3,4.

What are mentioned as works of the flesh?

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery: idolatry and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, dissentions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” Galatians 5:19. 

What is said of those who do such things?

I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Verse 21.

What did Christ say would be the condition of the world at His second advent?

“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating; drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be lust like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed.”

Luke 17:26-30. 

Association and Conversation

We are warned against keeping company with whom?

“But now I am writing you that you must nor associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.” 1 Corinthians 5:11.  

What are evil associations to be avoided?

“Don’t be mislead: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33.

What inexorable law is laid down in the Scriptures?

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from the nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit. From the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7,8. 

Instead of sanctioning evil, what should we do?

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness. But rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:11. 

What exhortations did the Apostle Paul give Timothy?

“Flee the evil desires of the youth, and pursue righteousness.” 2 Timothy 2:22. “Keep yourself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:22.

How should we guard our conversation?

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Ephesians 4:29.

The High Call to Holiness

To whom are all things pure?

“To be pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.” Titus 1:15. 

What does the Lord call upon the wicked man to do?

“Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” Isaiah 55:7.

What are the proper things to engage one’s mind?

“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8.

Note – The greatest foes to social purity are immoral associates, impure literature, improper dress, idleness, intemperance, theatergoing, and viewing questionable TV shows. For this reason, parents should look well to their children’s home life; their companions; the books, papers, and magazines they read, how their time is occupied; what they eat, drink and wear; where they spend their nights; and the character of their amusements.   

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