Excerpt from “The Purity War: A Biblical Guide to Living in an Immoral World” by Dr. James M. Cecy —
During the Vietnam War, I served on board the USS Kitty Hawk, an aircraft carrier. Even though our ship was highly recognized for its effectiveness in the war effort, I still remember the feelings of frustration I and many of my fellow crew members felt. We were being asked to participate in a war many believe was “half-fought” and lost.
We are at war with immorality every day of our lives. It is an unrelenting enemy with deadly missiles aimed and ready to strike. Though the conflict rages over a lifetime, these are battles we can win daily, if we fight them God’s way. Half measures will never work. His “rules of engagement” are clearly defined.
History reveals some strange battle tactics men have used in their personal war with sinful lust. The third-century theologian, Origen, took the text of Matthew 19:12 literally and allowed himself to be castrated. I suspect the struggle continued in his mind. In the middle-ages, monks and clerics, in the spirit of 1 Corinthians 9:27, tried to win the fight by inflicting cruel acts of penance on themselves. I have no doubt that the battle still raged in their minds and bodies. I cannot even begin to enumerate all the bizarre tactics being used in our own day.
We have not been left alone to fight against this life-long enemy. We can be assured this truly is a winnable war, if we follow the clearly defined battle methods given by the One who enlisted us and called us to active service. Consider them our marching orders:
- You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf. . . . Do not fear or be dismayed . . . for the Lord is with you (2 Chronicles 20:17).
- No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
- Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:10).
- Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm (Ephesians 6:13). Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier(2 Timothy 2:3-4).
- Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world (1 Peter 5:8-9).
We are fully equipped with the power of God and fully-reinforced by the presence of God. Now we need to be fully equipped with the Word of God. And that’s why I wrote, “The Purity War: A Biblical Guide to Living in an Immoral World.”
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