For my Scripture reading this last week I’ve been in Deuteronomy. The phrase, “So you shall purge the evil from your midst” is in there many times. God was and still is serious about holiness. For the Israelites, people were killed to purge the evil from their midst. People were stoned to death for a number of different sins. God’s people were to be set apart, and different from the nations around them. And God still desires holiness for His people today. He still desires that we purge evil. It looks a little different today. Thankfully God doesn’t command us to stone the thief, the adulterer, or the stubborn and rebellious son.
In Matthew 5, Jesus does use some pretty intense language by figuratively saying we should cut off our hand or gouge out our eye if it causes us to sin. God wants us to wage war against our sin, and he wants us to go to great lengths to do it. Romans 8:13 says, “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” God wants us to put to death our evil deeds. This is pretty extreme language that helps us see the gravity of God’s desire for holiness.
For me, my greatest temptation is lust. With the Holy Spirit’s strength, I work to purge this evil from my heart. I use accountability. I use pluggedin.com to screen movies before I consider watching them. I never use my phone for social media. I avoid situations that might bring temptation. I memorize Scripture. Scripture talks about resisting the devil, or standing firm in temptation, but with sexual sin, Paul tells us to flee! Turn around and run! Don’t attempt to defend yourself from it, just run away from it! I know myself well enough that I need to flee. I have met with lots of different men who are working to flee from sexual sin. If you are reading this and want some support, or need someone who understands, it would be my privilege to encourage you and walk with you through this struggle.
Let’s strive for holiness. Let’s put to death the deeds of the flesh. Let’s purge the evil from our lives. God is holy, and He desires holiness for His church!
Pastor Kyle