THEME:PERSONAL PURITY
TEXT: MATTHEW 5:8, 1 TIMOTHY 5:22
TOPIC:ASSUME YOUR LIBERTY
TEXT:JOHN
8:36
INTRODUCTION
I have tried to look at us as humans. It is not only
that we want to be pure, we enjoy being associated with purity and even the
vilest of sinners does not want his name associated with his deeds.
“And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and
men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil”. John 3:19
We have taken various teachings on purity. It has been
defined severally to us. In simplest form, it is without stain, undefiled, not
contaminated, a state of innocence.
Personal; connotes that my pastor will not fetch it
for me. It cannot be inherited from parents. It is an individual race. Ezekiel 18: 4-18.
WHY WE STAIN
OURSELVES.
Nobody wants to be identified with stain or impurity
but self-centredness puts sufficient pressure to make us compromise.
Let us discuss stains and see which of them is not selfishness induced?
SOURCES OF
IMPURITY
All sensory organs are sources of impurity. God has
given us His Spirit to help us guard our hearts with all diligence. Prov.4:23
Unless this is accomplished we may attract
contamination from:
1.
Eyes. Job 31:1,
I have
made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman.
2.
Mouth/Tongue. Psalm 39:1, Isaiah 50:4-5, Psalm 49:3, 1
Cor.15:53
I will
not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue. My mouth will speak words of
wisdom. Evil communication corrupts good manners.
3.
Feel or touch. Lev.11:18, Numbers 16:26, 1 Cor.7:1.
Their
flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch. They are
unclean to you.
Depart
from the tent of these wicked men and touch nothing of theirs lest you be
consumed in their sins.
4.
Ear. Job 12:11, Prov. 15:31, Prov. 28:9, Isaiah 50:5.
Does not
the ear test words as the mouth tastes food?
He who
turns his ears away from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
5.
Association. 2 Cor.6:17, Prov.13:20
Come out
from among them and be separate says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean and
I will receive you.
Companion of
fools will be destroyed.
ATTRACTING
PURITY
1.
The Word: Daily refocus, refill and realign your
thoughts and activities with the word of
God. Heb.12:2, John 4:13-14, 2 Tim.3:16, 1 Peter 2:2, Psalm 119:9-11.
2.
Prayer: Romans 12:1, Matthew 26:41, James 4:3, John
14:13-14
3.
Conversation: Interact and listen to men of God who are impacting the world. Prov.
27:2, 2 Tim 2:22, Heb. 10:24.
4.
Trigger Sensitive: Identify the things that trigger impurity in your own life and abstain
from the environment that will trigger it. 2
Tim.2:22. Matthew 5:27-30.
5.
Companion: Mix with fellow believers. 1
Cor.10:13, Gen.39:12
PRICE OF PURITY
There is a price to pay for everything. We know that
it is good to be pure and unstained but we cave in when the price is revealed.
Joseph went to prison for his purity, Daniel went to
the lion’s den for purity, Shederack, Meshack and Abednego went into fire for
purity. Many in contemporary times lost their jobs or never got the job at all
because of purity. Psalm 73.
GAINS OF PURITY
1.
They see God. Matthew 5:8
2.
Defended.
Righteousness is a defence Eccl.7:12,
Psalm 7:10; 59:9; 62:2
3.
They earn
trust. Integrity is capital.
4.
Promotion
5.
Respect of
others.
6.
Joy and
gladness. Ps 32:11; 97:11
7.
Divine
provision. Prov. 14:14
8.
Boldness. The
righteous is as bold as lion. Prov.28:1,
John 4:18, 2 Tim.1:7.
CONCLUSION
We can attain personal purity if we want to and if we
feel it is important enough.
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