It was a problem back then and it’s still a problem today. It is the product of a depraved nature. Even the Apostle Paul recognized the dark force within himself. He said: “In my flesh dwells no good thing – not one thing positive or good can be said about my flesh.” Romans 7:18. If there is nothing to counteract its force in my being, it will always pull and push me towards the wrong end of the spectrum – to the darker side of my life. The flesh never improves or becomes less wicked. You can’t make the ‘flesh’ better.
But you are a believer. So am I. Yes, within me is the propensity to sin – that energy is called ‘the flesh.’ But residing within me since the moment I trusted Christ is the Holy Spirit and I can never lose Him. (Don’t call Him an ‘it’!) I have within me all the power required to squash those urges; to switch on the light to replace the darkness of my thoughts; to rush and run away from temptation. If we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Galatians 5:16. So the power to overcome our impure desires and unclean lusts and dirty thoughts is definitely there – we just need to draw upon that power.
What’s the tolerance level for smut, dirt, and filth in our lives? Zero tolerance!
Paul sent these words to the believers in Ephesus:
let it not be once named among you as becometh saints;”
Ephesians 5:3 KJV
What does the word ‘fornication’ mean in this context? It refers to any form of sexual immorality. Today’s term ‘pornography’ is closely related to the Greek word here for fornication – porneia.
What about uncleanness? Any moral uncleanness or dirtiness acted out alone or with another – impurity of any kind whether in our thoughts, words or in our actions.
What about covetousness? This usually refers to the burning desire to acquire money or material possessions but it is not limited to that. In this context it could be the greediness and burning desire to satisfy your sexual appetite.
The next verse says:
which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
Ephesians 5:4 ESV
William MacDonald and others explain this category of sin as: dirty stories, suggestive jokes with sexual coloring and all forms of obscenity and indecency; empty conversation that’s worthy of a moron including gutter slang and barnyard words and phrases, crude language and coarse jesting. It’s not spiritually ‘cool’ to use words with your friends that you wouldn’t use with older Christians.
How much of all or any of the above can be tolerated in my life? “Let it not even be once named among you as becometh saints.” A few verses down we get another insight in to how wrong these things are in the sight of God: “It is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” Ephesians 5:12. Don’t even mention it!
If you are struggling with the internet temptations, consider subscribing to Christian internet providers that block harmful sites: www.hedgebuilders.com or www.afo.net or www.bsafehome.com or www.characterlink.net If those service providers are not options for you, then consider joining an accountability site like www.covenanteyes.com. Yes, there’s a small monthly price tag to it – but have you considered the price of falling into moral sin and bringing dishonor upon the Name of Christ, ruining your Christian reputation and destroying the trust others have in you?
Moral failure is serious and it is rampant. It starts in secret but eventually it becomes public knowledge.
The secret to overcoming temptation is to walk daily with the Lord – to really get down to business about our relationship and enjoyment of Christ.
What are you doing to deepen your relationship with Christ?
How much effort are you putting into it?
How much time did you spend today in a “one on one” session with the Lord?