Living Pure in an Impure World: A Book for Men ... and Women

By Jim Langlois

For many of us, today’s society seems more evil than it has ever been. With the advent of television, satellites, and the internet, the openness of sexual immorality has decayed godly morals in an unprecedented way. The decay of morals brings the tragic results of teen pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, pedophilia, bestiality, adultery, fornication, pornography, divorce, fatherless children, single mothers, abortion, homosexuality, lesbianism, same-sex marriage, and so on. However, when we study the history of society we find that these issues have existed for thousands of years. Technology has just allowed these issues easier access.

The Bible has much to say about sexual immorality, purity, temptation, and the Will of God. It addresses every one of the issues mentioned and if we are willing to listen, it gives us the direction and wisdom for success, and how to live “free” from the impurities that destroy our lives, our families, our children, and our future.

Living pure in an impure world is not difficult with the Word of God as our guide and the Holy Spirit as our inner strength. Satan’s goal is to kill, steal, and destroy, but Christ has come that we might have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10). This abundant life has been made available to us. It is a gift from God. With a repentant heart, a simple hunger for Him, and mustard seed faith, we can overcome the “world” (1 John 4:4, 5:4-5).

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9780989651875

Book preview

Words.

CHAPTER 1

THE WILL OF GOD

Below are three versions of 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8. We begin by first establishing the foundation of God’s Word on the subject of purity and impurity. In order to be set free from anything that may be controlling us, we must first clear up any subtle deceptions we have on what’s right, what’s wrong, what’s acceptable, what’s unacceptable, what’s true, and what’s untrue. The world (man) has been deceived in so many ways, because he has defined the answers in his own mind by the precept, if it feels good, do it. Man is so pleasure seeking for the moment, that he can’t see beyond today and think about what consequences may occur from his actions. Then when things blow up – and they will – and he’s standing in the middle of failure and destruction, what does he do? Either he tries to justify his actions, blame someone else, or is so deceived and blind to reality he continues down the same destructive path, wreaking havoc, not only in his own life, but for everyone around him.

Man has redefined sin. He has done it through his own wisdom. The problem is that his wisdom is not enough. His wisdom is tainted by selfishness and pride; hence, the results never turn out as he hoped. Unless he admits his mistake and adopts the wisdom of God, he will continually fail and never reap the results desired.

We must agree that God knows best and we are willing to listen to what He has to say. Unless we first humble ourselves and accept Christ as the Lord of our lives, we will always come up short of perfection, never reaching the goals and successful life we desire.

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.

7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, NKJV).

3 For this is the will of God, that you should be consecrated (separated and set apart for pure and holy living): that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice,

4 That each one of you should know how to possess (control, manage) his own body in consecration (purity, separated from things profane) and honor,

5 Not [to be used] in the passion of lust like the heathen, who are ignorant of the true God and have no knowledge of His will,

6 That no man transgress and overreach his brother and defraud him in this matter or defraud his brother in business. For the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we have already warned you solemnly and told you plainly.

7 For God has not called us to impurity but to consecration [to dedicate ourselves to the most thorough purity].

8 Therefore whoever disregards (sets aside and rejects this) disregards not man but God, Whose [very] Spirit [Whom] He gives to you is holy (chaste, pure) (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, AMP). (The Amplified Bible, containing the amplified Old Testament and the amplified New Testament).

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

4 Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—

5 not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.

6 Never harm or cheat a Christian brother in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before.

7 God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives.

8 Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, NLT). (Holy Bible: New Living Translation, 3rd ed.)

Notice how the last version says if we refuse to live by these rules we are not disobeying human teaching. Why? Because human teaching says that sexual impurity is acceptable. Human teaching says that adultery, fornication, lesbianism, homosexuality, pornography, sex outside of marriage, and even sex with animals is acceptable. It has justified these actions by saying, it is not hurting anyone. However, we must realize this human wisdom is not the wisdom of God.

Is God trying to hurt us? Is He trying to take away our fun? Or, does He know what’s best? Does He know something we don’t know? Can He see further into the future to know what is best for our health, wealth, and welfare? Are we willing to accept His definition of sexual purity on the mere point of faith and trust in His wisdom and goodness?

What’s my point? Unless you are willing to admit your failure and humbly accept the truth of God’s Word, there is no reason to read any further. Unless you are ready to submit to His wisdom and admit He is right, you will not be able to make the changes in your life – you will not be able to live pure in an impure world.

However! If you are ready to listen to Him, confess your failure, and are hungry for the truth of the Word of God, through faith you will be able to conquer any (and all) control these things may have in your life – guaranteed!

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith (1 John 5:4).

CHAPTER 2

BY FAITH

You can conquer ANYTHING through faith, but you must understand this is the only way – there is no other way. There is no victory over the world outside of faith.

So Jesus said to them, Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:20).

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes (Mark 9:23).

But He said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God (Luke 18:27).

The Bible tells us we can overcome the WORLD through faith!

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith (1 John 5:4).

So, what exactly is the WORLD? The original Greek word for world is kosmos.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible:

Kosmos means the universe, the earth, the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human race, the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ, world affairs, the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments, riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ. (Strong)

The Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words:

Kosmos: The earth, in contrast with Heaven, the human race, the "present condition of human affairs," in alienation from and opposition to God, the sum of temporal possessions, an age – period of time, the cares of the world – its sons, its rulers, its wisdom, its fashion, its character, its god. (Vine, W.E.; Unger, M.F.; White, W.;)

What does this mean to us? It means we can gain victory over any temptation through faith! This brings us to the next question: How do we get faith? The answer is simple, and it works every time...

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).

So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself) (Romans 10:17, AMP).

The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to (Romans 10:17, The Message). (Peterson).

Why does the New King James Version say hearing and hearing? Because it may come from hearing, but the only way to keep it and grow it (faith) is by continual hearing. You know how easy it is for us to forget what we heard just a day or so ago! Faith in God is a daily process of hearing His Word over and over and over again. If you think you can just read the scriptures in this book just one time and you will always have the victory, you are mistaken. It took many years of training (through impure habits) to get you to this point. So, it’s going to take a daily renewing of your mind with the Word of God to overcome temptation and enable you to live pure in an impure world.

Faith is much like food. It’s not a natural food but a spiritual food. Just as natural food does not last forever, neither does spiritual food. In order to keep your faith strong you will need to feed it spiritual food (the Word of God) on a daily basis. You can’t eat a hamburger today and expect to be full tomorrow. Just as your physical body needs food every day, your spirit will also need nourishment on a daily basis. This can best be accomplished by developing a Spiritual Health Plan. It would include a Daily Bible Reading Plan (BRP), a Daily Prayer Plan (DPP), and a Church Attendance Plan (CAP).

CHAPTER 3

SPIRITUAL HEALTH

Here are some tips on developing your Spiritual Health Plan. These are just a few options. You will have to develop one that works best for you and your daily schedule.

How to Develop a Bible Reading Plan (BRP):

He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded (Proverbs 13:13).

1. Decide WHEN you are going to read.

a. Morning is best! (Early).

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me (Proverbs 8:17, KJV). (The Holy Bible: King James Version).

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water (Psalms 63:1).

b. You need to be spiritually fed in the morning to have spiritual energy (faith) for the day.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).

2. Decide what DAYS you are going to read.

a. The best recommendation is every day, Sunday through Saturday!

Blessed is the man that heareth me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors (Proverbs 8:34, KJV).

Give us this day our daily bread... (Matthew 6:11, KJV).

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me (Luke 9:23, KJV).

3. Decide how many CHAPTERS you will read each day.

a. Children should read at least one chapter.

b. Youth and adults should read three or more.

c. But remember – even one a day is better than none!

4. Decide WHAT you are going to read.

a. All New Testament chapters (Matthew through Revelation).

b. Old and New Testament. Here’s one example:

One Old Testament chapter (Genesis through Malachi).

One chapter of Psalms.

One chapter of Proverbs.

Two New Testament chapters (or more).

Five chapters total!

5. Decide what VERSION you are going to read.

a. Recommended for adults: the King James Version (KJV),English Standard Version (ESV) or the New King James Version (NKJV).

b. Recommended for children: the New King James Version (NKJV).

c. There are other good versions, but these are my best recommendations.

6. Good HINTS on daily Bible reading:

a. Buy a good quality Bible that you will cherish. (Good size print, words of Christ in red, nice cover, etc.)

b. Get additional ribbon markers to mark your places. (In the Old and New reading example given you will need a total of four.)

c. Do it first! Don’t even take a shower (unless it’s necessary to wake up). Don’t check the news, the phone, social websites,or personal messages!

d. Put on your robe, get a cup of coffee, juice, or water, and get your Bible!

e. Find a quiet place, with good lighting and a comfortable chair – somewhere you won’t be interrupted.

f. Read it like a book rather than trying to study everything you read.

g. If you don’t understand what you read, just keep reading!

h. When you finish a section (like the book of Proverbs, or the New Testament), start it again!

i. Do your Bible reading plan forever! Never stop for the rest of your life!

j.When you have finished your daily reading, close the book and go about your day!

7. REMEMBER...

a. It’s faith that overcomes the world!

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith (1 John 5:4).

b. Faith comes by hearing and hearing.

That means continual. Over and over and over and over!

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).

c. This is how we live!

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17).

d. This is how we walk!

For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

e. So Christ may dwell in our hearts!

That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17).

f. That we might not sin against God!

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You (Psalms 119:11).

The simplest Bible Reading Plan I can recommend is one chapter of the New Testament five days a week. This plan may seem too easy, but it does have some advantages. It’s easy, does not take much time, and if you missed what you read it’s easy to read it two or three times! This is one way to concentrate on smaller sections, rather than getting too much information at one time. Another interesting fact is that there are exactly two hundred and sixty weekdays (Monday thru Friday) in a year and exactly two hundred and sixty chapters in the New Testament. If you follow this plan you will read the New Testament in exactly one year!

How to Develop a Daily Prayer Plan (DPP):

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:42).

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit... (Ephesians 6:18).

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanks-giving (Colossians 4:2).

...continuing steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:12).

Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

If we are to pray without ceasing, and we can only pray in our understanding, then we are in trouble! What does without ceasing mean?

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words:

not of what is not interrupted, but of that which is constantly recurring.

That’s helpful, but even so, I still have difficulty knowing what to pray! Thank God we have two ways to pray – in the Spirit (other tongues) and with the understanding (in our own language).

What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15).

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-27).

Groanings which cannot be uttered can be translated as words which cannot be articulated in a known language. This brings us to the theology of praying in the Spirit, in other tongues – or new tongues.

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues (Mark 16:17).

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20).

It is not my intent to get into this teaching in this book, however, if you are interested in this subject and how it can assist you in your prayer life, I suggest you get my book, Is it Okay to Pray in Tongues in Church? (Langlois). In this book I go into detail on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. I share