Sexual Purity

There is a lot spoken of about sexual purity in Proverbs. This is a particular issue with young men, but has application with anyone.

Prov 5:1‑5
1          My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight,
2          that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.
3          For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;
4          but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double‑edged sword.
5          Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. (NIV)

It is fascinating to see how many ways Solomon says to listen to him. He knows that this issue is difficult to get a hearing. Sin looks good on the surface or in the short term, but its real nature is bitter.

How can we keep a long term perspective of sin?

Proverbs 7 is a powerful passage about sexual purity!

Prov 7:1‑27
1          My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.
2          Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
3          Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4          Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinsman;

How do you store up God’s commands?

What would be some contemporary words for "guard my teachings as the apple of your eye"

or "You are my sister"?

5          they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words.
6          At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice.
7          I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment.
8          He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house
9          at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.
10        Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11        (She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home;
12        now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)
13        She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said:
14        "I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows.
15        So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!
16        I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt.
17        I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18        Come, let's drink deep of love till morning; let's enjoy ourselves with love!
19        My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey.
20        He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon."

Notice how the young man got into the situation. He set himself up for it. He probably knew she would be on that corner. He was deceiving himself. What would have saved him?

This could easily have been a woman walking down the street. How would story be different?

Wisdom claims she would keep a person from these problems. What would save the young man in this situation?

What is the seductor, or sedructress' motivation for such behavior?

21        With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.
22        All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose
23        till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.
24        Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say.
25        Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths.
26        Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng.
27        Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death. (NIV)

How many ways can you say, "You are a dead man!" ?

In what ways does the adulteress lead to death?

Prov 6:20‑29
20        My son, keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
21        Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.
22        When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.
23        For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,
24        keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife.
25        Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes,
26        for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.
27        Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?
28        Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?
29        So is he who sleeps with another man's wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished. (NIV)

What are the active words used in talking about wisdom?

What are the vehicles that provide wisdom?

What does it mean to be reduced to a loaf of bread?

What does this say about the adulteress and her motivations?

Lets make a list of practical things which can protect us today from believing and following the lies of Satan:

Prov 5:7‑12
7          Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say.
8          Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house,
9          lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel,
10        lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man's house.
11        At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent.
12        You will say, "How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!
(NIV)

Prov 5:15‑17
15        Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well.
16        Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares?
17        Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. (NIV)

What is the difference in results when we are faithful to our spouse or future spouse?

New Testament Application

Jesus took purity to a new level when he talked about how we should be careful about our thought life.

Adultery in the heart
Matt 5:27‑30
27        "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'
28        But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29        If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
30        And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. (NIV)

What does this passage say about our DVD watching practices?

Things to think about

The following passage powerfully shows us to keep a pure mind.

Phil 4:8‑9
8 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.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me‑‑ put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (NIV)

When tempted Fleeeee!!!!!!!

2 Tim 2:20‑22
20        In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.
21        If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22        Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.(NIV)