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Impurity (Ephesians 5:3-5 & Revelation 21:27) “Impurity” means “uncleanness” everywhere in the Bible except Revelation where it means “to defile.” Impurities come from contact with other people whose spirit is not that of the Holy Spirit. In the O.T. the Israelites were commanded not to touch any dead animal or person or they would be unclean until sundown and they would have to stay outside the camp. This represents those today who have been a part of the body of Christ but have turned away from the truth of the Word and are living their own lives from a natural aspect defiled by refusing the ways of Jesus Christ. [I am not talking about those who are not saved yet.] Impurities are subtle – they operate through uttered words – it is like an airborne virus – once it is released no one knows where it will be inhaled. [In these last days there are many signs of governments’ harboring bacteria and viruses that could be released – called germ warfare. Millions could be wiped out in hours.] But as believers we should not fret over such things. We must be diligent to be watchful of the things people say to us that will defile us (we may not even know it at the time), but later something may start to irritate us – it came from being defiled! The nature of impurities leaves false impressions of other people, which lead to the deadliest snare of DECEPTION. Consider for a moment how deception begins — by what comes out of the mouth. (Psm.141:3) “Set a guard over your mouth.” (Jam.1:26) “If any man among you seem to be religious and bridles not his tongue, he deceives his own heart, and that man’s religion is in vain.” The testimony of Christ is destroyed when we speak whatever we feel or want anytime or anyplace. If what we say defiles, then what we listen to also defiles, bringing us further into deception. Then we become confused about what is truth. Once truth is in our mind, we have to battle, knowing all that is not truth which leads to impurity. Confusion brings us to contamination. If what we hear gets down into our hearts, it will come out; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Speaking without thinking what it is we are going to say can leave us the fool. Now, impurity is not necessarily what you think: yes it is immorality. But in O.T. & N.T. it is separated as “wickedness.” Ezekiel & Romans say “immorality and impurity” (wickedness). So it is the root that manifest in immorality. Here is how it begins: Hitler – Zech.13:2 tells us it is a “spirit of impurity” that has been loosed on the land. Hitler released a spirit of impurity that is still operating. He mesmerized people into believing he had a plan, which would better their life: getting rid of Jews, elderly, homosexual, etc. His ability to speak and convince kept the world ignorant and in confusion until contamination set in and the people became deceived. At that point people did not know what to believe – for the truth could cost them their lives. The impure, unclean spirit had polluted their lives to the point of controlling their perspective on what was truly valuable. This perspective causes us to ignore those who are not as confident, not as smart, not as charismatic. And a dissenting voice is viewed as a weakling. We begin to question what we truly believe. {Such questioning is not bad if we are strong enough to pursue truth and honesty to strengthen our belief system.} Impurity can drive us closer to God, if we want to seek out truth and clarity, or it can bring confusion and devastation. When impurity touches us, a quick decision must be made to avoid defilement and deception. To embrace impure thoughts always brings confusion to the spirit filled life. Once the virus has entered the body it doesn’t take long before the effects are found UNLESS your immune system is intact. There is a story found in 2 Samuel. Saul is dead and his entire household except Mephibosheth. A man named Ziba is placed in charge of Saul’s estate, including Mephibosheth and his family. Absalom, David’s own son, rises up against him – sits in the gates of the city and sets the whole city against David so he has to flee for his life. While David is out of the city now, hurt because of what his son has done, in comes Ziba. He rides in with bread and raisins and fruit and wine to feed David and his men who had fled. David asks him what has happened to Mephibosheth? And Ziba gives an evil report – He went back to Jerusalem thinking his father’s kingdom will be restored. The result – David gives all that pertained to Mephibosheth to Ziba. On the same day David goes a little further and is confronted by a man named Shimei – who was a part of Saul’s royal kingdom. What does Shimei do? Shimei has already been contaminated with all the bad things spoken by Saul’s friends. So he begins to throw stones at King David and curse at him, saying this is vengeance for what David did to Saul. Shimei calls the king “worthless.” What kind of idiot would do that to the king? Only one who was impure and in whom the spirit of impurity was operating. Abishai asks David: “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over, and cut his head off.” David replies, “Let him alone.” Has not my own son done the same thing? It may be that the Lord will look on my affliction and the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing this day.” David could have received the same spirit of impurity and he could have done harm, and even brought death to those who did not know any better. Impurity came by what was spoken, but David’s attitude and spirit did not receive it. He did not become deceived. CHARACTERISTICS OF IMPURITY: Trusting evil reports to be true. (Proverbs 17:4). Run from evil reports or be opened to defilement. Forming an opinion based on a bad report. Our thoughts become distorted toward others and we begin to think negatively toward them. Viewing – we no longer see that person as a valuable possession of the Lord’s. WE ignore and won’t receive from them. Failure to discern – a key test to whether impurity has overtaken us: Does what we listen to support our previous impressions and are we willing to weigh what we hear in the light of the Holy Spirit’s leading? (Proverbs 16:2) Let God deal with the person – don’t form an opinion based on hearsay. Withdrawal – impurity will distance us from others. We will not want to be with groups of people without taking offense at what is done or said. The only way to overcome impurity is with repentance and cleansing from the Holy Spirit: we need a spirit of repentance. Repeating – becoming a false witness. Don’t allow evil reports to defile you. Once you do you become a magnet for all other evil reports. It does not take long before all the tattlers, gossips, backbiters are knocking at your door (not the phone, but the door.) Those who were once so excited about God can become like dead men in a moment of time if they become impure. When God purifies us, we become targets of Satan. That is why the Lord is telling us to wear the armour – to be able to walk in faith and purity against all that is wickedness – the spirit of impurity is lurking all around us. -Pr. Steve April Newsletter 2003 | Impurity | Get It Together part 1 | Progress of Maturity part 1 of 2 Pastor's Journal April 2002 | Present Day Fathers part 1 | Pillars and Posts part 1 of 3 |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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