In the Gospel of Matthew chapter 5, we find very intriguing definition of sexual purity Jesus made:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28 NASB.
The ball of purity drops and touches the ground when one’s heart being enticed by the thought of having sex with someone they are not married to. So, purity or immorality is not all about a physical action but a condition of one’s heart.
Jesus reckons His people above and beyond the written law that says “You shall not commit adultery” Exodus 20:14 NASB – but He goes on ahead of the game by addressing the issue of the heart. If one sets his/her mind to do something, it is just a matter of time for that thought to turn into actions.
That is why the Bible says:
“Be careful what you think,
because your thoughts run your life.” Proverbs 4:23 NCV
because your thoughts run your life.” Proverbs 4:23 NCV
Once a mind of a person allows a thought to linger, body won’t have any strength, authority or power to refuse to express that lingering thought in actions. It is not the body that needs instruction but the heart, the mind of a person.
Paul says this:
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NASB
If one does not allow a thought to linger, the body can’t act it out by its own. The body needs the approval of a mind for it to accomplish the action whether it be good or bad thing. What a body tends to do it in a continuous pattern, called habit, identifies accurately what a person really believes and embraces in her/his heart. Either way, a thought that captivates the mind of the person wins the full participation of the body to express itself in action, in a continuous pattern.
The Bible says,
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 NASB
Is there anything else in this world that is honorable, pure and lovely and at the same time excellent and praiseworthy to think about than the word of God?
Let me think?
No, there is none except the word of God!
So, praying to God according to the word of God, reading and meditating the word of God, taking part in the corporate worship is the only way to captivate and motivate the heart so sexual integrity or purity marks one’s life. ///