Embracing Uncommon Purity in Marriage and Life

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning with God's Design

Pursuing uncommon purity involves aligning one's life with God's design, rejecting the world's standards, and embracing a purity that honors the sanctity of marriage. This purity is not about achieving perfection but about obedience and transformation through Christ. The world often normalizes behaviors and attitudes that are contrary to God's intentions, such as viewing pornography, engaging in premarital sex, and objectifying others. These actions create a false sense of purity that is damaging to our souls and relationships. Instead, we are called to pursue a purity that is rooted in God's truth, one that honors the sanctity of marriage and the sacredness of the marriage bed. [02:56]

"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you conformed to the world's standards of purity, and how can you begin to align your life more closely with God's design today?

Day 2: Heart Transformation through Surrender

True purity begins with surrendering our hearts to Jesus, allowing Him to transform our desires and align them with His will. This transformation requires a heart change, not just behavior modification. It is about allowing Jesus to reshape our innermost desires and intentions, leading to a life that reflects His holiness. Surrendering to Christ means letting go of our own agendas and trusting Him to guide us in the path of righteousness. This process is ongoing and requires daily commitment and reliance on His strength. [07:45]

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 3: Accountability and Vulnerability

Being accountable and vulnerable with trusted individuals is crucial in maintaining purity. Tools like Covenant Eyes can help monitor online activity and foster transparency with our spouses, creating a safe environment for growth. Accountability involves being open about our struggles and seeking support from others who can help us stay on the path of purity. It requires humility and a willingness to be honest about our weaknesses, knowing that we are not alone in this journey. Vulnerability allows us to build deeper connections with others and experience the healing power of community. [14:29]

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone you can trust to hold you accountable in your journey toward purity, and how can you begin to build that relationship today?

Day 4: Forgiveness and Healing

Forgiveness is essential in restoring purity and healing past wounds. It involves letting go of past hurts and allowing God to heal and restore our relationships, paving the way for renewed trust and love. Forgiveness is a choice to release the burden of resentment and bitterness, making room for God's grace to work in our hearts. It is not about condoning the wrongs done to us but about freeing ourselves from the chains of unforgiveness. Through forgiveness, we open the door to healing and reconciliation, allowing God's love to transform our relationships. [19:48]

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?

Day 5: Equality and Mutual Respect in Marriage

Recognizing the equality in marriage means honoring and fulfilling marital duties to one another, creating a balanced and harmonious relationship where both partners feel valued and loved. This mutual respect and understanding foster a safe and loving environment in marriages, where both partners are committed to supporting and uplifting each other. Equality in marriage is about recognizing the unique strengths and contributions of each partner and working together as a team. It involves open communication, shared responsibilities, and a commitment to nurturing the relationship. [23:21]

"However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." (Ephesians 5:33, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate respect and love to your spouse today, and what steps can you take to ensure that your marriage reflects the equality and mutual respect that God desires?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the concept of "uncommon purity," a purity that transcends the standards set by the world and aligns with God's design for our lives and marriages. The world often normalizes behaviors and attitudes that are contrary to God's intentions, such as viewing pornography, engaging in premarital sex, and objectifying others. These actions create a false sense of purity that is damaging to our souls and relationships. Instead, we are called to pursue a purity that is rooted in God's truth, one that honors the sanctity of marriage and the sacredness of the marriage bed.

Uncommon purity begins with surrendering our hearts to Jesus Christ, allowing Him to transform our desires and align them with His will. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about obedience to God's word. It requires us to reject the world's standards and embrace a godly standard of purity, which fosters a safe and loving environment in our marriages.

Accountability is crucial in this journey. We must be willing to be vulnerable and open about our struggles, seeking support from trusted individuals who can help us stay on the path of purity. Tools like Covenant Eyes can aid in maintaining accountability by monitoring online activity and fostering transparency with our spouses.

Forgiveness is another essential component of uncommon purity. We must learn to forgive past hurts and betrayals, understanding that forgiveness is a choice to let go of the past and allow God to heal and restore. This forgiveness paves the way for a renewed relationship built on trust and mutual respect.

Finally, we must recognize the equality in marriage, where both partners honor and fulfill their marital duties to one another. This mutual respect and understanding create a balanced and harmonious relationship, where both partners feel valued and loved.

Key Takeaways

1. Uncommon Purity: Pursuing uncommon purity means aligning our lives with God's design, rejecting the world's standards, and embracing a purity that honors the sanctity of marriage. This purity is not about perfection but about obedience and transformation through Christ. [02:56]
2. Surrender and Transformation: True purity begins with surrendering our hearts to Jesus, allowing Him to transform our desires and align them with His will. This transformation requires a heart change, not just behavior modification. [07:45]
3. Accountability and Vulnerability: Being accountable and vulnerable with trusted individuals is crucial in maintaining purity. Tools like Covenant Eyes can help monitor online activity and foster transparency with our spouses, creating a safe environment for growth. [14:29]
4. Forgiveness and Healing: Forgiveness is essential in restoring purity and healing past wounds. It involves letting go of past hurts and allowing God to heal and restore our relationships, paving the way for renewed trust and love. [19:48]
5. Equality in Marriage: Recognizing the equality in marriage means honoring and fulfilling marital duties to one another, creating a balanced and harmonious relationship where both partners feel valued and loved. [23:21]
** [23:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:56] - The World's Standards vs. God's Purity
[05:29] - Restoring Uncommon Purity
[07:45] - Surrendering to Christ
[11:21] - Heart Change and Transformation
[14:29] - Accountability and Guardrails
[17:34] - Tools for Maintaining Purity
[19:48] - The Power of Forgiveness
[23:21] - Equality in Marriage
[26:43] - The Role of Prayer and Restoration
[29:13] - A Call to Repentance and Freedom

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Uncommon Purity

Bible Reading:

Hebrews 13:4 - "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral."
Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Ephesians 5:3 - "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people."

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Observation Questions:

According to Hebrews 13:4, what is the significance of keeping the marriage bed pure, and how does this relate to the concept of "uncommon purity"? [05:29]
In Romans 12:2, what does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, and how does this transformation relate to pursuing purity? [11:21]
How does the sermon describe the world's standards of purity, and what are some examples given of these standards? [02:56]
What role does accountability play in maintaining purity, according to the sermon? [14:29]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of "uncommon purity" challenge the common standards of purity set by the world? What might be some practical implications of this challenge in daily life? [02:56]
What does it mean to surrender one's heart to Jesus in the context of purity, and how does this surrender lead to transformation? [07:45]
How can forgiveness contribute to healing and restoring relationships, especially in the context of marriage? [19:48]
In what ways does recognizing equality in marriage contribute to a balanced and harmonious relationship? [23:21]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your current understanding of purity. How does it align with the concept of "uncommon purity" as described in the sermon? What changes might you need to make? [02:56]
Consider an area of your life where you need to surrender to Jesus. What steps can you take this week to begin that process of surrender and transformation? [07:45]
Identify a trusted individual or group with whom you can be accountable in your journey toward purity. How can you initiate or strengthen this accountability relationship? [14:29]
Think of a past hurt or betrayal that you need to forgive. What practical steps can you take to begin the process of forgiveness and allow God to heal that area of your life? [19:48]
In your marriage or relationships, how can you work towards recognizing and honoring equality? What specific actions can you take to ensure both partners feel valued and loved? [23:21]
What are some practical guardrails you can set up in your life to protect your purity, such as using tools like Covenant Eyes? How can these guardrails help you maintain a safe environment for growth? [17:34]
Reflect on the role of prayer in restoring purity and relationships. How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine to support your journey toward uncommon purity? [26:43]

Sermon Clips

And we need to understand that sex is a whole lot more than just physical. The scriptures actually talk about there being soul ties that happens when we're having sex, even when we're having sex outside of marriage. The world says it's common to wear whatever you want and reveal whatever you want. Come on, ladies. Maybe some men. I don't know. [00:00:35] (28 seconds)

And I think what the world calls common continues to go deeper and deeper. There's no... What's the line? If the world is setting it, I'm not sure there is a line. How many... I don't know that I was actually old enough. I do remember seeing episodes of Leave It to Beaver. Come on. How many OG folks we got in the house, Leave It to Beaver, you watched. Okay. Leave It to Beaver, I'm pretty positive, that they weren't even allowed for the husband and wife to share the same bed. They had to sleep in a single bed. And some of you are like, let's go back to that. I know. I know. [00:01:47] (38 seconds)

When it comes to purity, it's common for the world to continue to go deeper and deeper. Why? Because I believe purity is just like any other drug where we have to have more and more and more and more when it's not pure. [00:03:02] (18 seconds)

Marriage needs to be honored. What does that mean? That means that we honor God's way and design of marriage and the only place that sex should be happening in your life and in my life is inside the marriage bed. [00:05:59] (16 seconds)

How do we fight to have uncommon purity that is the foundation for a safe place for you and your spouse in the bedroom? The first thing we do is we surrender. We surrender. [00:06:52] (16 seconds)

And if God says I need to surrender my idea of purity to him, then that's what I do. And he's not asking me to do it with perfection. Come on, folks. But he is asking me to be obedient to what his word has to say about purity. [00:07:34] (18 seconds)

For many of us in the room today, the bedroom is not a safe place because it's been built on common purity, not uncommon purity. It's been built on a worldly standard of purity, not a godly standard of purity. The world says, what I watch on the computer screen, I can get my spouse to do in the bedroom. [00:07:52] (32 seconds)

You do that by continually showing up to the Father and to his throne where you're not going to get a baseball bat and a smack upside the head saying, hey, you ever going to figure this thing out? But you're going to get a heavenly father, a king, that you can approach his throne and find grace and mercy. [00:10:45] (20 seconds)

When I stopped looking at porn every day of my life and I started trying to get uncommon purity into my life, it was amazing to me how my desires, how my affection, how my attraction to my wife started to shift. [00:11:21] (17 seconds)

And I want you to be able to come in here knowing that you can be the real you but here's the only thing for you and me. We've got to keep surrendering and let the Holy Spirit change us from the inside out. And we've got to keep putting up guardrails. [00:14:36] (13 seconds)

And forgiving, let me ask you something. Do you really feel like, you don't have to answer this, but in your heart, do you really think that all of the stuff that I'm honest with you about that happened in Britt and I's relationship, do you think she just forgot it? Really? Do you think she just somehow wiped her mind clean of all of the damage that had happened to her before we got married? The betrayal that happened? Do you think she just wiped her? No, no, no. But she learned to forgive. Major difference. [00:21:02] (31 seconds)

And if your eye causes you to stumble, what do we do? Gouge it out. And throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. Is Jesus literally meaning for us to cut our eyes out? No. [00:19:48] (24 seconds)