We are investigating the issue of moral purity in our lives. We are beginning with the question, “How do I avoid falling into moral compromise!” Although the answer to this question is quite simple, the application of the answer can be a challenge when under the constant lure of this world in our lives.
It would seem plausible that a discussion of avoiding moral failure would begin with a conversation about those steps necessary to avoid it. And in a way, that is where we will start. However, this post is not the list of safeguards you need to build into your life. That discussion will come, but there is a much more practical place to start.
Instead of looking first at what we need to avoid, let’s consider instead, what we need to pursue. One of the most familiar and practical biblical passages that addresses our response to temptation is in James 4:7-8, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Although these verses encourage us to flee from temptation and sin, I want us to focus on how each of them begins. Submit yourselves, then, to God. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.
The secret to avoiding Satan, lies most powerfully in pursuing God. This makes good sense. God and Satan are incompatible. The closer we are to God, the harder it is for Satan to reach us. The more we submit to the control of our Lord in our life, the less room there is for that control to be ceded to the enemy.
The Apostle Paul says it this way in Philippians 3:12, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Here is a man so committed to Christ that he was willing to suffer prison, beatings, shipwrecks, ruined relationships, etc., just so he could be a servant. He had such a good reputation in God’s eyes (who sees all), that he was trusted to write most of the New Testament. Yet he says there is more to gain from pursuing God. He commits to taking hold off all that God has to offer so he can fulfill all that God desires.
After discussing what this pursuit looks like, he summarizes in verse 16 with these words, “Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” This is a critical truth. To live up to what we have already attain means that we simply seek to understand and apply what God has already done in our life.
I want to be clear; this is not a call to gain more of God’s favor or try to impress him with my goodness so he will be motivated to protect me. Instead, this is an opportunity for me to have more awareness of what God has given me through my salvation. It is not me getting more of God, it is God getting more of me. A very practical application is that the more of my life controlled by God’s Spirit, the less room there is for Satan to gain a foothold.
Next week, we will look at some practical and achievable ways of submitting ourselves and coming near to God. This is the safest path to protection against the devastating effects sin will have in our lives.