I don’t know what the deal is. All week my web mail and various other sites I frequent have hosted ads from Victoria’s Secret. I’m a woman, am I checking out their sales? No. I’m too busy being offended by the images. It doesn’t take a whole lot of brain effort to realize that we are surrounded by and constantly bombarded with all that is impure, specifically in media and fashion. You can’t really go anywhere in this world where you will not see provocative images whether it’s signs on the freeway, a magazines in line at Vons or the next door neighbors–having a pure heart is obviously not what is on people’s minds. If you don’t believe me, walk through your mall or just turn on the TV guide channel.

To our culture sex appeal is everything. The troubling reality is that many Christians are embracing this mindset too. Our favorite movies, TV shows, music and the clothes we wear really are not that different from non-Christians around us.  Not only are Christians looking and acting like the world but they have a casual attitude about it. In Ephesians 5:3 Paul gives us a rather jarring wake-up call for our hearts regarding impurity.

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.

Too often the question is, “What’s wrong with it?” This is an immature question for the believer because as God’s people holiness is what should be on our minds. Why would we want to do anything that might hinder us in our pursuit of Christ? What if we lived in such a way that there wasn’t any trace of impurity in our lives? What if wouldn’t allow even a hint of impurity in our thoughts? What if we were content with what we have, not jealous and trying to get more attention, more money, more of what we want? That sounds like a pretty dynamic lifestyle.

Our youth group has started reading through the book of Proverbs (Please read along with us by click on the Proverb-of-the-Day icon in my sidebar!). I’m noticing a recurring theme of warning about impurity in the seductress or adulteress (Especially Proverbs 6:24-29 and chapter 7). I started wondering why it’s so easy for us to accept impurity in our lives. Maybe we just think to ourselves–I’m not offended by this, and no one I know is either so it’s not a big deal. Then this morning, Bobby read Proverbs 8:13.

To fear the LORD is to hate evil.

It was like a light when on in my head. The impurity that we allow in our lives is directly proportionate to how seriously we think God takes our sin. Bobby’s sermon was about fearing the Lord and several quotes from him really cut to the heart on this topic.

“God is holy, I am not.”

“God hates sin and will do anything to keep it away from Him.”

“If you tremble about who God is you will hate your sin.”

We aren’t offended by impurity, it doesn’t bother us–what’s the big deal? The big deal is that God is offended by it and He will judge it. The cure for our casual attitude about the impurity that we are surrounded by, our own lustful thoughts and actions is to fear of God.

We cannot avoid living in the world, but we can do what it takes to keep our lives free of any hint of impurity. This would mean using discernment with entertainment.  This might mean that you can’t watch the shows you’ve gotten hooked on. This might mean looking twice in the mirror and changing if what you are wearing isn’t appropriate. It means a battle in our minds. The battle is between getting comfortable with our sin and the reality that God is to be feared. Do you take God seriously?