PURITY

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (NLT)

God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and His ways.

Matthew 5:27-29

You have heard the commandment that says, “You must not commit adultery.” But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, 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.

2 Timothy 2:22

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

1 Thessalonians 4:4-5

Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and His ways.

“Radical respect leads to sexual integrity.” – Jim Burns

“Holiness unto the Lord and honor due to our brothers and sisters in Christ.” (adapted from Lightfoot)

Purity Code (Jim Burns):

In honor of God, my family, and my future/current spouse, I commit my life to sexual purity. This involves:

1. Honor God with Your Body

1 Thessalonians 4:4; 7

Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor…God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.

1 Corinthians 6:19b-20 (NIV)

You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.

Romans 12:1 (NLT)

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.

“In return for the love shown us, we present our bodies to Him as acts of worship.” – Jim Burns

2. Renew Your Mind

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing and perfect will.

A. Tune out the bad and tune in the good

B. Daily time with God

C. Find positive friends

3. Turn Your Eyes from Worthless Things

1 Thessalonians 4:5-6a (NLT)

Not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and His ways. Never harm or cheat a fellow believer in this matter by violating his wife.

Song of Solomon 8:4

Promise me, O women of Jerusalem, not to awaken love until the time is right.

4. Guard Your Heart

1 Thessalonians 4:3

God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.

Proverbs 4:23

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

“Our sexuality does not own us or define us. Jesus does.” – Rachel Gilson

“Many days, many nights, our sexual desires will feel like only a source of weakness. Yet when dependence is the goal, weakness is an asset.” – Rachel Gilson

“If you don’t believe escape is possible, you won’t look for it. But God has promised that He will provide it every time.” – Rachel Gilson

Mathew 5:8 (NIV)

Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.

Discussion Questions/Reflections (partially adapted from The Purity Code):

1. Brainstorm and list positive results of following the Purity Code.

2. What are some of the negative consequences of not committing to and following the code?

3. Which of the four ways to follow the code do you find most challenging?

4. What are personal boundaries you feel you need to help yourself stay away from sexual immorality?

5. Has there ever been shame in your life associated with sexual sin? Do you believe the blood of Jesus is actually enough to fully cleanse us when we repent?

6. For singles: Have you ever thought about making choices now, in light of possibly being married one day? (Does that seem like a really weird idea?) Take time to talk about the code and this question with a married couple to get a different perspective than your own.