Sexual Purity

1. Sexual Purity The old men used to say that the temptation to lust is like a hook.  If it is suggested to us and we do not let ourselves be overcome by it, it is easily cut off; but if, once it is presented, we take pleasure in it and let ourselves be overcome, it transforms itself and becomes like iron and is difficult to cut off.  Thus discernment is needed about these thoughts, because for those who allow themselves to be seduced there is no hope of salvation, whereas crowns are prepared for the others.

2. The Reality of this Spiritual War! • Sexual purity is a problem today, because it is so looked down upon. Purity has become the sin, and free sex has become the high standard. This seems to be the fulfillment of Saint Antony’s saying, when he said, “A time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him saying, ‘You are mad, you are not like us.’” • “If your goal is purity of heart, be prepared to be thought very odd.” ~Eizabeth Elliot

3. More quotes Elisabeth Elliot Quotes: “In forfeiting the sanctity of sex by casual, nondiscriminatory “making out” and “sleeping around,” we forfeit something we cannot well do without. There is dullness, monotony, sheer boredom in all of life when virginity and purity are no longer protected and prized. By trying to grab fulfillment everywhere, we find it nowhere.” “I saw very clearly that, of all things difficult to rule, none were more so than my will and affections.” “Until the will and affections are brought under the authority of Christ, we have not begun to understand, let alone to accept, His lordship.” “When the will of God crosses the will of man,” Addison Leitch said, “somebody has to die.” Life requires countless “Little’ deaths--occasions when we are given the chance to say no to self and yes to God.”

4. Why is this even a concern? • Do I turn away form pictures and advertisements that are meant to stir up lusts or do I continue to stare and fantasize? • Do I listen to destructive talk (gossip), acting concerned when I know I’m only intrigued by the details of someone’s mistakes? • What messages come from the music on my radio, whether it’s at home or in my car? • Am I silently buying into false notions about relationships, society, God and other topics frequently talked about in songs or on T.V or Movies?? • Don’t stop now—Reflect and think of other evaluative questions for your own personal renewal in the area of purity!

5. Abercrombie Victoria Secret Even tooth paste! Sex Sells We know this so well, we don’t need an example!

6. The Knowledge of Evil This is our Current State after the Fall of Adam and Eve • The knowledge of Evil became man’s 1st obstacle towards purity • Do we not know things we wish we would have not known ? • Stay away from the knowledge of evil • Break all ties that lead you to this destructive knowledge • Replace what you have already known with the knowledge of good.

7. The importance of working towards sexual purity It’s EVERYTHING!! • ---The struggle is real, the enemy of good uses sex as a tool to make it our idol and to defile our hearts, minds and bodies. •  Purity is considered a great virtue. We know this because of the reward for those who are pure in heart. Our goal is to develop a personal relationship with God. Blessed are the pure in heart: for “they shall see God.”

8. The importance of working towards sexual purity It’s EVERYTHING!! • We also see that God honored this virtue, for he chose for himself a pure mother, Saint Mary. • All of us, regardless who we are; man or woman, if we are single, married, monks or celibate consecrated servants etc, strive toward a life of purity (and we must remember that it is a life and not restricted to certain times and certain seasons). We have to deal with issues regarding sexual purity and materialism on a regular basis.

9. Scripture is clear about the sin of Sexual immorality • 1Corinthians 6:1313 Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. • 1 Corinthians 6:1818 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. • 1 Corinthians 9:2727 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

10. Our Lines of Defense: Let us guard them. The Senses • Our Eyes, Our Minds, Our Hearts. • "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. Matthew 6:22 • Proverbs 6:25 Do not lust after her beauty in your heart,       Nor let her allure you with her eyelids • Luke 11:34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. • Lustful thoughts are like birds flying over head, we can’t help that they fly over our heads but we can help if they make a nest in our heads! • Whatever we see, touch, hear and speak sinks into our hearts • Deuteronomy 11:18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

11. This is a war of the flesh against the spirit • This war is unconscious, we are enticed but once we realize it, we should react in anger to crush them, cut them off. • I hate and abhor lying,But I love Your law. (Ps119:163) •  I hate them with perfect hatred;         I count them my enemies Psalm 139:22and then turn to God for help. Psalm 70:1 1Make haste, O God, to deliver me!         Make haste to help me, O LORD! 

12. DANGER! FIRE!Flee! Be alert and vigilant, be proactive! We are not wiser than the serpent! • Genesis 3:6:  “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” • Genesis 39:9  “There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” • Proverbs 14:16 A wise man fears and departs from evil,       But a fool rages and is self-confident. • What are the causes that give birth to the temptation (what is the root)—“all of us absolutely must pay attention o those kinds of conditions which stir the coals of desire and fan the flames of lust..”

13. Don’t assume you’re above or beyond this sin…it will sneak up on you! Internal and External Temptations • Ease and comfort of the body, boredom and idleness of the mind--- can be conditions for temptation: • tire your body with work and refresh your mind with prayer and spiritual readings. • Romans 8:13: For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. • 1 Corinthians 6:13, 18; 9:27

14. What’s the big deal? • American Pie • Wedding Crashers

15. It is a big deal! We are becoming desensitized—until we become victims!

16. How does purity affect our relationship with God and others? • This sin can develop into a serious issue –a Sexual addictions which can cause isolation from others. • We need to make the purity of others a priority

17. Sexual Desire - Moderation and Deviation • Deviation to one extreme: • Results in depression caused by shame and self disgrace • Alienation from others. • Exposure to disease. (STD, Sexual Addiction) • Deviation to the other extreme • Results from fear of deviation to the other extreme • People revolt and consider the instinct evil • Results in fear and avoidance of the opposite sex

18. Sexual Desire - Moderation and Deviation • Moderation: • The life of purity. • The proper direction of the instinct towards the goal for which it was created. • It is not suppression of the natural instinct, but rather protection. • Suppression vs. Self Control

19. An example of how this small fox can turn into a beast!

20. The effect of the Sexual Addictions on current or future marriages • May develop unrealistic expectations of women’s appearance and behavior including sexual behavior • Have difficulty forming and sustaining relationships • Have trouble feeling sexually satisfied • Pornography usually leads to chronic masturbation habit that eventually conditions a person to not be satisfied with sexual intercourse • Pornography teaches that there is always something new and exciting-which leads to boredom and increasing the behavior. • Lonely, angry, and rebellious people get stuck on the internet

21. You are not a lone, there is a way out! • James 4:7-9 Humility Cures Worldliness • 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.

22. Maintaining Sexual Purity: • The Passive (Defensive) Approach ------Keeping Away from Darkness • Guarding Your Senses (Heb 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.) • Guarding Your Thoughts (Philippians 4:8 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) • Avoiding Excessive Laziness (Idle Time) (Proverbs 21:25 The sluggard's craving will be the death of him,        because his hands refuse to work.) • Avoiding corrupt Friends • 1Cor 15:33 “Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." • Proverbs 13:2 From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things,  but the unfaithful have a craving for violence) - • (Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man        who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked        or stand in the way of sinners        or sit in the seat of mockers.)

23. Maintaining Sexual Purity: • The Active (Positive) Approach- Drawing Closer to the Light • Establishing a relationship with Christ through the "Means of Grace" • Prayer • The Holy Bible • Confessions • Holy Communion • Self Control - Self Discipline begets will power through the means of grace.

24. Some illuminating words to leave with • Psalm 24:3-5 3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?         Or who may stand in His holy place?4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,         Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,          Nor sworn deceitfully.5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD,         And righteousness from the God of his salvation. • “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity” 1 Tim 4:12 • “To the Pure all things are pure” Titus 1:15