Warning against sexual immorality, impurity, and greed

Ephesians 5:3 (NIV)

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.

To be holy is to be free of sexual immorality, be free of any kind of impurity, and to be free from any kind of greed.  These are three clearly identified areas of impropriety according to God’s Word.  They also are in line with what I John 2:16 writes: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh (sexual immorality), the lust of the eyes (impurity), and the boastful pride of life (greed) is not from the Father, but is from the world”.  Let’s take a deeper look:

Not a hint of sexual immorality

Sexual immorality includes not only adultery, one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:14), but also includes fornication (unmarried sex, read Hebrews 13:4), various perversions such as sex with a relative (Leviticus 18:6), homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26-27), sex with animals (Leviticus 18:23), and immorality of the mind (Matthew 5:28).  Immorality of the mind is the most difficult aspect of immorality to overcome because this involves complete control of your mind and your eyes (see Job 31:1, Matthew 6:22).  Such control is often usurped because of supersaturated and rampant emphasis on sex in all media—movies, television, magazines, even newspapers—and the overwhelming availability, now to epidemic levels, of pornography on the internet. 

The Bible is clear…….if you wish to be holy (to be separated from evil), there must not be a hint of sexual immorality in your life.  This is where you must claim the promise God that nothing is impossible with Him (Luke 1:37) and giving over your problems to Him will help you overcome the problem of sexual immorality in your daily life (I Corinthians 10:13).        

Not any kind of impurity

Impurity means contamination or uncleanness.  In the pharmaceutical business, drug impurity can lead to injury and death.  Impurity of the mind and heart also can lead to spiritual injury and death.  Impurity is strongly connected with sexual sin(s), but in this passage and in Galatians 5:19 and Colossians 3:5. Immorality and impurity are separate words either describing different sinful natures or reinforcing how much God hates immorality and impurity.  Conversely, purity (and not morality) is a description of a godly man as Paul writes in I Timothy 4:12 and 5:2.  While impurity is closely connected to sexual immorality, it also can refer to sins of envy, covetousness, jealousy, lying, and, well, practically any kind of sin.  Your life must be free of any kind of impurity and that’s why it is so important everyday to confess your sins for the Lord is faithful to forgive you and to cleanse (purify) you of all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).

Not any kind of greed

The problem of greed is very relevant in American society.  Rampant greed now defines our culture.  Read the business, sports, and entertainment pages and you are definitely reminded  of how greedy our society has become although inherently humans have always been greedy.  Greed is idolatry and any kind of study of the Old Testament becomes very convincing how much God hates idolatry.  The world has always been filled with people who are greedy; you can read about some of this in I Corinthians 5:10-13.  The famous “greed is good” quote by Michael Douglas in “Wall Street” shows the emphasis that the world has about money and covetousness.  Greed is associated with wickedness (Proverbs 21:26) and contrasted with righteousness that is associated with giving away.  Jesus warned us against the sin of greed in Luke 12:13-15.  Greed is powerful enough to keep you from entering heaven according to Mark 8:36-37.  The greatest guard against greed is to learn to be content (Philippians 4:11, Hebrews 13:5) with what you have that will prevent you from having an unhealthy and spiritually dangerous love of money (I Timothy 6:10).

If you claim to love God, you must not have in your life a hint of sexual immorality, any kind of impurity nor any kind of greed.   You must do whatever it takes to guard your heart and mind and soul against these very serious and very dangerous sins.  Why are they dangerous?  Because Paul then writes in Ephesians 5:5-7: “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.”