Purity

Chapter 185.
Purity

1. WHAT did Christ say of the pure in heart?

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Matt. 5:8.

2. What did He declare to be a violation of the seventh commandment?

"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever: looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Verses 27,28.

3. What exhortations did the apostle Paul give Timothy?

"Flee also youthful lusts." 2 Tim. 2:22. "Keep thyself pure." 1 Tim. 5:22.

4. To whom are all things pure?

"Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled." Titus 1:15.

5. When tempted to sin, what noble example did Joseph set?

"How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" Gen. 39:9.

6. Against what are the people of God warned?

"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks." Eph. 5:3,4.

7. What are mentioned as works of the flesh?

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviouness." Gal. 5:19.

8. What is said of those who do such things?

"They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Verse 21.

9. Against keeping company with whom are we warned?

"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator." 1 Cor. 5:11.

10. Why are evil associations to be avoided?

"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." 1 Cor. 15:33.

11. What inexorable law is laid down in the Scriptures?

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Gal. 6:7,8.

"Keep virtue's simple path before your eyes,
Nor think from evil good can ever rise."- Thomson.

12. Instead of sanctioning evil, what should we do?

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret." Eph. 5:11,12.

13. How should we guard our conversation?

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Eph. 4:29.

14. What scripture shows that social impurity was one of the chief sins which brought on the deluge?

"And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. . . . And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. . . . And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth. . . . The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence" Gen. 6:1-11.

15. What was the character of the inhabitants of Sodom?

"But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly." Gen. 13:13. "And they were haughty, and committed abomination before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw good," Eze, 16:50, See also verse 49.

NOTE.-Gen. 19:1-9 and 2 Peter 2:6-8 show that they were exceedingly corrupt in morals.

16. What did Christ say would be the condition of the world at His second advent?

"As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. . . . Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; . . . even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed." Luke 17:26-30.

17. What does the Lord call upon the wicked man to do?

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Isa. 55:7.

18. What are the proper things to engage one's mind?

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil. 4:8.

NOTE.-The greatest foes to social purity are immoral associates, impure literature, improper dress, idleness, intemperance, and theatergoing, including questionable picture shows, all of which are confined almost exclusively to city life. For this reason parents should look well to their children's home life; their companions; the books, papers, and magazines they read; how their time is occupied; what they eat, drink, and wear; where they spend their nights; and the character of their amusements. "Pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness" were contributing causes to the gross immorality of Sodom, and its consequent downfall. Eze. 16:49,50.

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