AllAll scripture is inspired… scripture is inspired…

(Romans 15:4) (Romans 15:4) For For everythingeverything that that was written in the past was written to was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.might have hope.

Moral Failures & EssentialsMoral Failures & Essentials (Judges 19)(Judges 19)

1.1. The The Disintegration of MarriageDisintegration of Marriage: : GuardGuard the purity and unity of marriage the purity and unity of marriage (Judges 19:1-8).(Judges 19:1-8).

2.2. A A Dangerous AssumptionDangerous Assumption: : UnderstandUnderstand that sexual sin is not just the that sexual sin is not just the world’s problem (Judges 19:9-22).world’s problem (Judges 19:9-22).

3.3. The The Downward SpiralDownward Spiral: : TurnTurn from all from all impurity immediately, because sexual sin impurity immediately, because sexual sin only worsens (Judges 19:23-30).only worsens (Judges 19:23-30).

The Marriage PriorityThe Marriage Priority(1 Corinthians 7:33-34) But a (1 Corinthians 7:33-34) But a

married man is concerned about …married man is concerned about …how he can please his wife-how he can please his wife-- {34}. - {34}. … a married woman is concerned … a married woman is concerned about …about …how she can please her how she can please her husbandhusband..

The “Lesser of Evils”The “Lesser of Evils” – Excusing moral – Excusing moral compromises that make sense to us, but not Godcompromises that make sense to us, but not God

Telling ourselves…“Telling ourselves…“Well, at least I Well, at least I …”…”1. At least I didn’t have an affair2. At least I’m not addicted to pornography3. At least I’m not/he’s not/she’s not homosexual4. At least I plan on marrying him/her5. At least I don’t watch…/read…/do…6. At least I don’t let my children…7. At least I don’t wear what she does8. At least I don’t make a habit of…

Immorality only gets worseImmorality only gets worse (Romans 1:24-29) Therefore (Romans 1:24-29) Therefore God gave them God gave them

overover in the sinful desires of their in the sinful desires of their heartshearts to to sexual impurity for the sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodiesdegrading of their bodies with one another. … with one another. … God gave them overGod gave them over to to shameful lustsshameful lusts. Even their women exchanged . Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. {27} In the natural relations for unnatural ones. {27} In the same way the men also abandoned natural same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. themselves the due penalty for their perversion. {28} …{28} …he gave them overhe gave them over to a depraved mind, to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.to do what ought not to be done.

Where lust and Where lust and immorality takes us …immorality takes us …

(James 1:14-15) … each one is tempted when, (James 1:14-15) … each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. {15} Then, after desire has conceived, it enticed. {15} Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. gives birth to death.

(Proverbs 5:3-5) For the lips of an adulteress (Proverbs 5:3-5) For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; {4} but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a {4} but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. {5} Her feet go down to double-edged sword. {5} Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.death; her steps lead straight to the grave.

The Path to PurityThe Path to Purity1.1. Commitment to Commitment to applying God’s applying God’s

wordword (Psalms 119:9) (Psalms 119:9) How can a How can a young man keep his way pure? By young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.living according to your word.

2.2. Commitment to Commitment to purepure thoughts thoughts (Matthew 5:28-30). (Matthew 5:28-30). …adultery with …adultery with her in his heart.her in his heart.

3.3. Commitment to Commitment to resist temptation resist temptation in dependence on Godin dependence on God (1 (1 Corinthians 10:13; Galatians 5:23)Corinthians 10:13; Galatians 5:23)

God’s power for our weaknessGod’s power for our weakness (1 Corinthians 10:13) No temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) No temptation

has seized you except what is common has seized you except what is common to man. And to man. And God is faithfulGod is faithful; he will not ; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, can bear. But when you are tempted, he he will also provide a way outwill also provide a way out so that you so that you can stand up under it.can stand up under it.

(Galatians 5:22-23) But (Galatians 5:22-23) But the fruit of the the fruit of the SpiritSpirit is … self-control. is … self-control.