Have you seen the the Sister Carol Style clip (search youtube “Sister Carol Style Josh Laster) that was shown at the Valley Fellowship Christmas 2011 Banquet? Josh, Brock, and Jorge’s parody still makes me smile. At Kimberlyn’s sixteen birthday party, Mom joined in in the Wii room – but I don’t think she thought about all the phones with cameras. Mom is a “holy lady” whose lifestyle was certainly inspired by God’s Word.
God’s Word helped my mom and will help you, too. God’s promises offer you powerful tools to withstand temptation. Read the fourth chapter of Matthew and see how Jesus quoted Scripture – God’s promises – to win over satan’s temptation. In the wilderness, Jesus wasn’t carrying a scroll of the Book of Deuteronomy. How did He know the verses – the promises – that were needed for each challenge?
I bet He spent time memorizing God’s Word. His memorization and meditation before the battle equipped Jesus for victory. Notice that Jesus spoke the promise aloud. There is something significant about speaking God’s Word. We are strengthened by our confession and agreement with God’s promises.
Do you have enough Scripture stored within your heart and mind to be successful in the face of temptation, or fear, or rejection, or persecution, or hardship, or sickness, or what-ever-is-attacking-you? Do you have Scriptures hidden in your heart that bolster your faith to flee from sexual sin? Have you meditated God’s promises of His presence, His protection, and His provision to the point that when you are tested – you ace the test?
The apostle Paul reminds the readers of his letter to Corinth of several promises.
For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 6:16b-7:1 NIV)
God’s wonderful promises should motivate our forward pursuit. As we hold on to His promises, His Word pushes us toward Christlike holiness and purity.
More than three hundred fifty years ago, Puritan pastor Thomas Watson expounded upon 2 Corinthians 7:1 in an afternoon sermon (August 17, 1662), wisely advising believers:
Trade much in the promises. The promises are great supports to faith. Faith lives in a promise, as the fish lives in the water. The promises are both comforting and quickening …. The promises of God are bladders [flotation devices/lifesavers!] to keep us from sinking when we come to the waters of affliction. The promises are sweet clusters of grapes that grow upon Christ the true vine. O! trade much in the promises; there is no condition that you can be in, but you have a promise. (Farewell Sermons, p. 200)
Let God’s promises propel your purity.
