Sanctification and Sexual Purity: God's Will for Your Life

by Bryan Schneider

I did an experiment today. I googled "What is God's will for my life." There were all sorts of great webpages. But I had to dig to find a website that quoted God's words on the subject. Actually, God is very specific about this:

For this is the will of God, your sanctification - 1 Thessalonians 4:3

There's a hard part with that passage though. That's only the first half. The full verse is far more unpopular:

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality - 1 Thessalonians 4:3

There is a direct link between our holiness and our sexual purity. There's a direct link between your body which is united to Christ and what you do with your body. And that my friends is not popular.

The whole idea of "sexual immorality" is from the word πορνεια porneia. It's where we get our term "porn" from but it's a broad category. Within the scope of sexual immorality are: premarital sexual relationships, incest, pedophilia, lust, beastiality, homosexuality, prostitution, adultery, & ect...

If that's the scope and extent of this desire God has for our lives then it sure puts Christians in a hard place. Why?

Because we live in a toxic environment. The air you breathe is noxious. Sexual temptations bombard the average American. It seems it does not matter where you turn: TV, Social Media, Magazines, Blogs. You name it and there's someone peddling sex or their do-hicky thing-a-ma-bob with sexually laced advertisements.

The pursuit of purity can seem like a daunting journey. Yet, it's a path that leads us closer to fulfilling our ultimate purpose: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Indeed we can't fully enjoy God when swimming in the polluted streams of sexual immorality. Indulging in sexual immorality short circuits of our enjoyment of God.

But how? How in the world can our sexual desires and expression of our sexual desires disrupt our enjoyment of God?

The Barrier of Sexual Sin

Sexual sins do create a significant barrier between us and God. They hinder our ability to glorify Him and diminishing our joy in His presence. Sexual sins not only affect our actions but also infiltrate our hearts and minds. They pull us away from the holiness to which we are called.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

Our bodies are sacred, redeemed by Jesus Christ. When we engage in sexual immorality, we defile the very temple where the Holy Spirit dwells, obstructing our fellowship with God.

God loves you, body and soul, Christian. The precious blood of Jesus was poured out for your body. Our bodies are for Him. He made us and has redeemed us. And, at that great last day he will also raise up our bodies from the grave. 1 Corinthians 6:13b-14 says:

Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.  And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.

See, our whole person matters so greatly to God that he sent Jesus to die for us. He then united us to Christ by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. So we are in Jesus and Jesus is in us. But again, that picture of union with Jesus is short circuited by sexual immorality:

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not!  Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. - 1 Corinthians 6:15-17

The world around us doesn't see it this way. They will think you are prudish or puritanical. The western culture we live in loves its idol of sexual freedom. But we are not our own. As Christians who follow our Lord we are not free. No what does God say:

Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.  Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. - 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Christians make such a big deal out of sexual morality because it is God's will for us to be sanctified. And, what is one of the most clear example of our sanctification? Abstaining from sexual immorality.

Taking Every Thought Captive

Sexual purity isn't solely about our external actions though. Abstaining from sexual immorality it's deeply rooted in our thoughts and intentions. 2 Corinthians 10:5 urges us:

"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."

In an age where explicit and implicit sexual content is readily accessible, guarding our minds becomes increasingly challenging. The digital era has ushered in unprecedented exposure to materials that can corrupt our thoughts and lead us astray. Be diligent in guarding your thoughts. Don't linger. Flee. Sin takes us further than we ever anticipated and keeps us captive longer than we ever wanted. Sexual immorality is a cruel seductress who snares and enslaves with an ultimate goal of destruction. Don't go near her door.

You indeed do have it harder than in some generations. There were once obscene laws that gave some breathings space. Not today. But, on top this the pursuit of purity today is compounded by several cultural shifts:

Reaction Against Past Legalism:

The rise and fall of the apostate Joshua Harris has ushered in a vitriol against anything purity. The pendulum has swung to the other side. Harris and ilk approached purity with legalism rather than grace and that should be pointed out. Rigid models and methods laid on top of Scripture is the definition of legalism. Abstaining from sexual immorality wasn't the issue, legalism was the issue.

Cultural Philosophies:

Modern philosophies interpret calls for sexual purity, especially concerning issues like homosexuality, as personal or ontological attacks. When Christians say that we must abstain from sexual immorality it is interpreted as an attack on their person. Why? Because what they feel is who they are. Who they love is who they are. This makes standing firm in biblical truths socially challenging. Yet, please Christian consider the pronoun "they." Paul says Christians are not to engage in "passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God..." (1 Thess 4:5).

I am using "they" purposefully as those who are not of the household of faith. They do not hold to Christ. They do not know God. And, we should not be surprised when they gentiles are doing what gentiles do, engaging in sexual immorality. This whole article isn't talking about judging those outside the church. God is their judge. But we, who are in the church, if we are in Christ, we out to judge ourselves and encourage one another to abstain from sexual immorality.

For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? - 1 Co 5:12.

Digital Temptations:

The proliferation of sexual content online means that temptation is just a click away. This constant exposure normalizes impurity and desensitizes us to sin. And while I think things like Covenant eyes is helpful, remember Joshua Duggar also had it on his computer. Your heart Christian is the issue. Who do you love most? What do you love most? Are you controlling your own vessel? Are you pleading with God to not lead you into temptation but deliver you from evil? Do you seek out Jesus Christ, desire to be so united to him, so that you would bear the good fruit of self control? Look to Jesus not to porn.

The Path to Freedom in Christ

Despite these challenges, there is hope. In Christ, we have the freedom and power to pursue purity—not through our strength but through His Spirit working within us. You are not a slave to sin Christian. The Holy Spirit can give you victory.

1. Sanctification of Desires and Actions

As we grow into the likeness of Jesus, both our desires and actions undergo transformation. Philippians 2:13 encourages us:

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

God doesn't just change our behaviors. God renews our hearts. He aligns our desires with His will. So, enjoy God in His word. Have sweet times of mediating on the glories of the Lord. And pray. Pray honestly. Pray fervently. Pray with joy that your High Priest knows you, has made the perfect sacrifice for you, and lives interceding for you. Have your mind renewed as you put off the old man and delight in Jesus. Present your body unto the Lord as a living sacrifice.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1–2.

2. Embracing Grace Over Legalism

Understanding that purity is a response to God's love rather than a checklist of rules frees us from the burden of legalism. Grace empowers us to pursue holiness out of love and gratitude. Take a deep breath. Do you feel the freedom Jesus has purchased for you? You can, by His Spirit, do this. You can delight in God more and more as you see the poison of your own sin and the depths of His love to save you from you.

3. Building a Guarded Mindset

We must actively filter what we allow into our minds and hearts. Don't be the fool blindly walking into temptation. This involves practical steps like setting boundaries with media consumption and engaging in wholesome community. But, be careful Christian, your heart is laced with the pride of man. Be careful you who think you stand lest you fall. Our adversary the Devil has been at this a long time. He's out there wanting and waiting to devour. Plead as Jesus commanded that God would not lead us into temptation but deliver us from evil. We desperately need the protection of our Heavenly Father. Rest in Him, do your part, rest in Him.

Living Out Our Chief End

When we strive for purity, we position ourselves to glorify God. As we seek purity we are able to enjoy deeper fellowship with Him. Our lives become a testament to His transforming power. As we reflect the light of Christ in us we become salt and light. We become beacons of hope in a world yearning for truth.

Philippians 4:8 provides a roadmap:

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure...think about such things."

Focus your mind on these virtues. We get to align ourselves with God's will and experience the fullness of joy that comes from His presence.

With that being said. The world loves the darkness. So don't be surprised if the world hates you. You are united to Christ, body and soul, and they hated Jesus also.

Conclusion

The journey toward purity is undeniably challenging, especially in today's cultural landscape. Yet, we are not alone. God equips us with His Word, His Spirit, and the support of the Christian community to walk this path.

Let us commit to pursuing purity. Avoid legalistic duty. Rather, joyfully embrace the life God intends for you. In doing so, we fulfill our chief end: glorifying God enjoying Him forever.