WALKING IN MORAL PURITY
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Key Verse: “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” — 1 Corinthians 6:18 (KJV)
Supporting Texts: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:22; Matthew 5:8; Psalm 119:9-11; Proverbs 4:23; Job 31:1; Romans 13:14
Description: Moral purity is the commitment to honour God with our bodies, thoughts, desires, relationships, and conduct by fleeing sexual immorality and pursuing holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit.
INTRODUCTION
Moral purity is God's desire for every believer. In a world where sexual immorality is increasingly normalised and promoted, Christians are called to live according to a higher standard. Purity is not merely about avoiding certain actions; it involves maintaining a heart, mind, body, and lifestyle that are devoted to God.
Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 is particularly direct: “Flee fornication.” He does not tell believers to negotiate with sexual temptation, entertain it, or see how close they can come to it without falling. He commands them to flee because sexual sin uniquely affects the body, which belongs to God and is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
The foundation of moral purity is our identity in Christ. We have been bought with a price, and therefore our bodies are not ours to use however we please. The believer who understands redemption will desire to glorify God not only in church but also in private thoughts, relationships, choices, and conduct.
1. UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF MORAL PURITY
Purity becomes easier to pursue when we understand why God values it.
a) Purity Reflects God's Holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16)
God is holy, and His children are called to reflect His holiness in every area of life.
b) Purity Protects Your Spiritual Life (Matthew 5:8)
Jesus taught that the pure in heart are blessed. A pure heart enables us to enjoy unhindered fellowship with God.
c) Purity Honours Your Body (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. They should therefore be treated with dignity and holiness.
d) Purity Preserves Your Testimony (Titus 2:7-8)
A morally pure life protects the credibility of our Christian witness and ministry.
Biblical Example: Joseph understood that sexual purity was ultimately a matter of loyalty to God. When tempted by Potiphar's wife, he refused her advances (Genesis 39:7-12).
2. FLEE SEXUAL IMMORALITY
Paul's instruction is not to fight sexual temptation by remaining close to it. He says to flee.
a) Flee Rather Than Negotiate (1 Corinthians 6:18)
Sexual temptation should be treated seriously. Deliberately remaining near temptation increases the risk of falling.
b) Avoid Sinful Situations (Proverbs 4:14-15)
Wisdom teaches us to avoid the path of wickedness rather than constantly testing our ability to resist it.
c) Escape Dangerous Relationships (2 Timothy 2:22)
Paul tells Timothy to flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
d) Do Not Trust Your Own Strength (1 Corinthians 10:12)
Confidence without vigilance can lead to spiritual failure. We should remain humble and dependent upon God.
Biblical Example: Joseph literally fled when Potiphar's wife attempted to seduce him. His willingness to leave the situation protected his purity (Genesis 39:11-12).
3. GUARD YOUR HEART AND MIND
Moral purity begins internally before it becomes visible externally.
a) Guard Your Heart (Proverbs 4:23)
Our actions flow from what is happening within us. Therefore, we must carefully guard our hearts.
b) Control Your Thoughts (Philippians 4:8)
We should deliberately fill our minds with things that are true, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise.
c) Reject Lustful Imagination (Matthew 5:28)
Jesus taught that sexual sin can begin within the heart before it becomes an outward action.
d) Fill Your Mind With God's Word (Psalm 119:11)
The Word of God strengthens our inner life and helps us resist sinful desires.
Biblical Example: Job said, “I made a covenant with mine eyes” (Job 31:1), demonstrating the importance of intentionally guarding what we allow ourselves to look upon.
4. HONOUR GOD IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
Purity must influence how we relate to the opposite sex, family members, friends, colleagues, and fellow believers.
a) Establish Godly Boundaries (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4)
Believers should know how to possess their bodies in holiness and honour.
b) Treat Others With Respect (1 Timothy 5:1-2)
Paul instructed Timothy to treat younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
c) Avoid Emotional And Physical Compromise (Proverbs 6:27-28)
Wisdom teaches us not to play with situations that can lead to destruction.
d) Honour Marriage (Hebrews 13:4)
Marriage should be held in honour, and sexual purity should be maintained within God's design.
Biblical Example: Ruth conducted herself with honour and integrity in her relationship with Boaz, and her character was recognised by others (Ruth 3:10-11).
5. WALK IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Moral purity cannot be sustained by human determination alone. We need the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.
a) Walk In The Spirit (Galatians 5:16)
Walking in the Spirit gives us power to resist the desires of the flesh.
b) Yield Your Body To God (Romans 6:13)
Our bodies should be presented as instruments of righteousness rather than instruments of sin.
c) Renew Your Mind (Romans 12:2)
Transformation begins as our minds are continually renewed by God's truth.
d) Depend On God's Grace (Titus 2:11-12)
God's grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live self-controlled, righteous lives.
Biblical Example: Daniel and his companions maintained their commitment to God despite living in a morally and spiritually foreign environment (Daniel 1:8).
6. PURSUE PURITY AS A LIFESTYLE
Purity should not be limited to moments when temptation is strong. It must become a consistent way of life.
a) Pursue Righteousness (2 Timothy 2:22)
Paul instructs believers not only to flee youthful lusts but also to actively pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
b) Practise Self-Control (Galatians 5:22-23)
Self-control is part of the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit in a believer's life.
c) Confess And Forsake Sin Quickly (Proverbs 28:13)
When a believer falls, hiding the sin deepens the problem. Honest confession and repentance open the way for restoration.
d) Keep Growing In Holiness (2 Corinthians 7:1)
Purity is a continuing journey of cleansing, consecration, and spiritual growth.
Biblical Example: Timothy was encouraged to remain a model of purity and godliness despite the pressures surrounding him (1 Timothy 4:12).
CONCLUSION
Walking in moral purity requires intentional choices. We must guard our hearts, control our thoughts, establish healthy boundaries, flee sexual immorality, and depend upon the Holy Spirit. Purity is not simply about avoiding scandal; it is about honouring the God who lives within us.
Remember that you were bought with a price. Your body belongs to God, your life belongs to Christ, and the Holy Spirit dwells within you. Therefore, do not allow the culture around you to determine your moral standard. Let God's Word determine how you live, and let your life continually glorify Him.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, give me grace to walk in moral purity and holiness every day, in Jesus name.
2. Lord, cleanse my heart and mind from every impure thought, desire, and imagination, in Jesus name.
3. Father, give me strength to flee every form of sexual temptation and immoral influence, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, help me to guard my eyes, ears, thoughts, conversations, and relationships from every source of impurity, in Jesus name.
5. Father, give me wisdom to establish and maintain godly boundaries in all my relationships, in Jesus name.
6. Lord, let the power of the Holy Spirit strengthen me to overcome every temptation of the flesh, in Jesus name.
7. Father, deliver me from every relationship, habit, environment, or practice that threatens my purity and consecration, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, renew my mind continually through Your Word and fill my heart with things that are pure and pleasing to You, in Jesus name.
9. Father, let my body, character, relationships, and private life honour You and bring glory to Your name, in Jesus name.
10. Lord, make me a consistent example of moral purity and holiness, and preserve me blameless until the coming of Christ, in Jesus name.
PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS
1. You shall walk in moral purity, and the grace of God shall strengthen you to resist every form of sexual temptation.
2. Every impure thought, imagination, desire, and influence seeking to corrupt your mind shall lose its power over you.
3. The Lord shall give you wisdom to recognise dangerous situations early and grace to flee every pathway leading towards moral compromise.
4. Your eyes, ears, thoughts, conversations, and relationships shall be guarded by the power of the Holy Spirit.
5. Every ungodly relationship or influence that threatens your consecration shall be exposed, broken, and removed from your path.
6. You shall receive supernatural self-control, and the desires of the flesh shall not rule over your life.
7. Your body shall remain a temple of the Holy Spirit, and your conduct shall continually honour the God who dwells within you.
8. The Word of God shall strengthen your heart, renew your mind, and preserve you from moral failure.
9. Your private life shall agree with your public testimony, and you shall walk with integrity before God and people.
10. You shall finish your Christian journey with your faith, character, and moral testimony intact, and your life shall bring glory to Jesus Christ.
