3 Principles of Purity

Pray

In his book Eyes of Integrity , Craig Gross contends that our battle with sexual immorality (and other sins) often begins in the mind. Then he shares the following personal story about identifying the battle for our mind:

It was spring break in New Orleans, the streets were packed with college-age partiers, and the debauchery had reached an all-time high. My friend Donald and I ... had no idea we were going to be stepping into a raucous street party. A few minutes of the madness swirling around us, and both of us knew we needed to get out. Quick. The smell of beer infused the air, and high above the street level, lined along the apartment balconies, women danced, exposing themselves to the crowd. Spontaneous applause and cheers erupted in every direction every few seconds.

Waiting for a cab, I was torn as thoughts of these women flooded my mind. I was thinking about who they were. I thought of my own little girl at home and wondered if any dads knew their little girls were here, dancing. But while one side of me wanted to pray for the lost little girls, I felt the other side being drawn in, tempted to stop and stare. I was engulfed in a war of conscience and conviction, between my commitment to guard my mind and a strong call to take mental snapshots.

"Take every thought captive" the apostle Paul declared …. Why? Because he knew the mind is the root issue, the systematic cause of all moral failures. The mind begins the process of every action we take, and I had to ask myself: Am I willing to arrest these thoughts that are producing an insane magnetism towards unhealthy action? When I sat in the taxicab, I had to make a decision …. [Thankfully], God was faithful and really did provide a way out for me.

We hear this story this morning, and many of us can in one way or another relate with Craig Gross. Perhaps the issue isn’t lust, But each of us in one way or another are familiar with temptation. And this idea of sin, which the bible says lives in us.

And the question becomes how do we respond. Is this something that we take action on only when tempted, or is this something we should be proactive on in advance?

If you have your bibles, turn with me to Colossians 3. As we discuss 3 practices of purity.

(3 things the Lord wants to put into place… in our lives…) We Must 1. Put our minds on things above

Must2. Put off the old self. (then with the Old self off….) We can then 3. Put On the new self.

1. Put our mind on things above

Col 3:1-3 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

As we consider the scripture this morning I want to remind us of a few things. First, Paul is addressing the Colossian church, while he’s most likely in a roman prison cell. And as he writes to them to encourage them in their walk. Specifically, against false teachers. And If you’ll recall, there are 2 primary threats to Christian’s in the Colossian church.

One threat is the heresy of Greek philosophy, which denied the deity of Christ. The other school of threat was legalistic thinking, or asceticism. (Which is this idea of earning one’s salvation by self-denial.) Interestingly enough, The false teachers in Colosse actually seemed to be quite concerned with ethical living. After all, the goal of their harsh living was to avoid fleshly indulgence.

But here’s the problem... Not only is salvation by grace alone, through faith alone… but Asceticism doesn’t work. When it comes to temptation… you can try your best on your own, your way… and you’ll fall short every time! You see The fact of the matter is that fallen human beings lack the will power to resist sin. So, no matter how hard we fight to avoid sin, we always lose.

And so, it begs the question, if human efforts don’t work in combating sin??? How do we combat sin this morning???

You see in Colossians 3,we gain insight, as we realize the value of taking our thoughts captive. But also, of putting off the old self and putting on the new self…

1 Since, then, you have beenraised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God

You see, you want to know the key to purity and sanctification… it doesn’t start with the sin, it doesn’t start with the fruit…. You’ve first got to tackle the root. You first have to look at what’s going on inside.

You see Philippians 3:12-16 tells us: 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Church here’s the point, Paul addresses the church. A church full of believers, who have accepted Christ as their Lord and savior… and yet there is a choice (in their mind)that’s here for these believers, to live up to 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. You see church we have already attained our salvation… but it doesn’t stop there, we must take action, on a daily basis.

Church, we have been crucified with Christ… but are we living up to what we have already attained?

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Pro 4:23

Alone these lines I came across an article which explains: When you have teen drivers, one of your worst fears is your kids being hurt or killed in an automobile accident. While accidents can happen for a wide variety of reasons, including bad weather conditions and distracted driving, one of the leading causes is speeding. Almost 10,000 people were killed in speeding-related accidents in 2017, with 40% of the drivers involved being between the ages of 16 and 24, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

With these alarming statistics, it’s no wonder that parents worry about their teen drivers hitting the road. Speeding is completely preventable, but there is no guarantee your teens will follow the law every time they get behind the wheel. However, there is now new technology in the form of a car speed limiter device that allows parents to control how fast their teens can drive. This gives you peace of mind when your kids are behind the wheel and allows you to feel confident every time, they hit the road.

Here’s the point, for our kids… they know they’re not supposed to speed. But there are times, perhaps Friday, Saturday night, when they’re out with their friends that this governor is necessary. Church, as parents this morning, if they speed, you’re not going to love them any less… they’re still your kids, but you realize that speeding can kill them… and you love them… so your job is to protect them from the thing that can kill them,

In the same way, our father loves us, but he hates sin, because sin leads to death… and so he calls us to keep in step with His spirit.

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6

Church, I don’t know what season of life you’re in this morning. Perhaps you’ve been dealing with a specific sin for a long time. This morning, your father loves you, he loves you so much that he doesn’t want you to remain in your sin. And he calls you this morning, to live according to the spirit.

5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.2 Cor 10:5

2. Put off the old self.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

As we continue with the scripture, we see Paul calls us to put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature. And from here there are 2 lists: which are not exhaustive, of all sins. But 2 lists which are discussed. The first list states: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Each of these lists in one way or another have to do with inward feelings that a person has.

The second listmentioned includes: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips and each of these sins are related primarily to things that we do towardsother people. (so, we slander someone else, or use filthy language when talking with someone else.)

And the bible says 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. So, each of us, from one sin to another, from one degree to another all used to walk in these ways…

The bible says: “23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

But here’s the key, we 9 Do not lie to each other, (we don’t continue to walk in these ways… why?) since you have taken off your old self with its practices.

What do we do? 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature… (Sin loves to grow back)

You see there becomes the point, in living out our faith, where we do away with the old way of life. Where we put to death the old self.

You see Romans 7:15-20 explains: 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

You see friends here’s the point vs 21 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. But then it goes on to say this: 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

You see friends, on our own… we’re not good enough… we desire to do good, but evil is right there… and so we come to this point… this realization that we despite our best efforts aren’t “quote” “good enough.” We need Christ to Come in and do a work in our lives. (Sanctification.)

There’s the old, and there’s the new… we all know them very well… but this morning we’re being called to 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature. Friend, are you doing that this morning?

Throughout the coasts of the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and even in south Florida, there can be found a pleasant-looking beachy sort of tree, often laden with small greenish-yellow fruits that look like apples.

You might be tempted to eat the fruit. Do not eat the fruit. You might want to rest your hand on the trunk, or touch a branch. Do not touch the tree trunk or any branches. Do not stand under or even near the tree for any length of time whatsoever. Do not touch your eyes while near the tree. Do not pick up any of the ominously shiny, tropic-green leaves.

The aboriginal peoples of the Caribbean were familiar with the tree and the sap was used to tip arrows. It is believed that the Calusa people of Florida used it in that manner to kill Juan Ponce de Leon on his second trip to Florida in 1521.This is the manchineel, known in Spanish-speaking countries as “la manzanilla de la muerte,” which translates to “the little apple of death,” or as “arbol de la muerte,” “tree of death.” The fruit, though described as sweet and tasty, is extraordinarily toxic.

Nicola Strickland, who unwisely chomped down on a manchineel fruit on the Caribbean Island of Tobago, describes what it was like:

I rashly took a bite from this fruit and found it pleasantly sweet. My friend also partook (at my suggestion). Moments later we noticed a strange peppery feeling in our mouths, which gradually progressed to a burning, tearing sensation and tightness of the throat. The symptoms worsened over a couple of hours until we could barely swallow solid food because of the excruciating pain.

Over the next eight hours our oral symptoms slowly began to subside. Recounting our experience to the locals elicited great horror and disbelief, such was the fruit’s poisonous reputation.

Genesis 4:7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it. (It doesn’t just want you…)

Friends, sin desires to have us this morning… but we must rule over it. Church, in addition to taking our thoughts captive. And focusing our minds on things above… we must also take action to put sin to death. To not entertain it this morning, TO set up safeguards in our lives, and to watch and pray… Are we committed to that this morning?

3. Put on the new self

9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

As we consider this scripture, we realize with the old self put off… we now have the new self put on. And just as you would walk down the street and pass by people, you’ll quickly recognize them by what they’re wearing the same is true for us this morning. For instance, a police officer will be wearing police officer clothes, a firefighter will either be in their (turn out gear) as it’s called or perhaps their other attire. You would probably recognize a dentist or a doctor by their clothes…

You see, how you clothe yourself associates you with your profession.

And in the same way, not only are we to put to death things of the flesh… but now, just as we would take one outfit off… we can now put another outfit on…

We’re told: 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

So, we put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentles, and patience with each other, we bear with each other and forgive. And over all these virtues, we put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

You see here’s the point… is whether you realize it or not, just like the clothes you have on… You are going to go through life bearing the resemblance of something.

There is a very famous story by the American author Mark Twain called "The Prince and the Pauper." In the story, a prince invites a poor beggar into his castle, and for fun, the two exchange clothes. Unfortunately for the prince, he is then mistaken for the beggar, and is thrown out of the castle. The beggar, on the other hand, being mistaken for the prince, is kept in the castle and lives the life of a prince.

Now, in this story, both the prince and the pauper were surprised when people mistook their identities. And had the prince known that he would be thrown out of the castle, he never would have agreed to change clothes with the beggar. Dabbling in such simple fun as trading clothes could never be worth losing so much power and privilege.

Friends, your identity as a Christian does not change… just because you fail to act like a Christian… but you may compromise your witness.

You see as thanksgiving approaches in just a few days, there may be some at the thanksgiving table that are far from the Lord. Either they’ve never accepted Christ as their savior, or perhaps they’re saved, but they need encouragement. They need love…. Friend, are we meeting them where they are this morning?

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”John 13:35

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Call the worship teamback up as we prepare to close this morning.

1. Battle of your mind.

2. Walking in sin. The Old Self.

3. Clothed in righteousness. Love.

Pray