Leviticus 18:24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you. (For personal reading: See verses 1-23 for the context of this verse.)

Deuteronomy 7:26 Neither shalt bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.

Proverbs 20:7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

I Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Titus 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world…

MEMORY VERSE: I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes… —Psalm 101:2-3a

CENTRAL THOUGHT: For those who have consecrated their home unto the Lord, the purity of the home is of utmost importance—the sanctity of the marriage relationship; purity among family members; and making sure literature and all other media within the home are wholesome and clean.

WORD DEFINITIONS

Leviticus 18:24 “Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things”: sins of incest, adultery, infant/child sacrifice, homosexuality and bestiality; and improper sexual desires and behavior. These sins were the primary reasons for the destruction of the world before the flood and of Sodom and Gomorrah; and the overthrow of the Canaanite nations.

Deuteronomy 7:26 “Abomination”: detestable; of physical repugnance; properly, something disgusting (morally); an abhorrence; especially idolatry or an idol. “A cursed thing”: a thing hostile to theocracy, and therefore (in the strictest application) to be either banned or destroyed, or, in the case of certain objects (e.g. silver and gold, vessels of brass and iron—Joshua 6:19, 24), set apart to sacred uses. Referring especially to individuals—one having a relic of a Canaanite god in his house should become cursed, or banned, and the relic cursed, banned and exterminated.

Proverbs 20:7 “integrity”: blameless; integrity of mind. “The entire, unimpaired state of anything, particularly of the mind; moral soundness or purity; incorruptness; uprightness; honesty.” —Webster

Proverbs 31:11 “So that he hath no need of spoil”: Some scholars interpret it thus of the husband: he shall not lack profit or gain. The Septuagint understands it of the woman: such a one shall not lack spoils, or food, or even spiritual provisions.

Titus 2:1 “Which become sound doctrine”: which are fitting, suitable, proper or consistent with healthy, wholesome instruction.

5 “Chaste”: holy; sacred; free from defilement, inside and out. 7 “Uncorruptness”: soundness; purity

LESSON BACKGROUND

The eighteenth chapter of Leviticus deals with purity within the home, between close family members. A closer examination of these commandments in personal Bible study will reveal the holy standard God requires in the home; of the honor and sanctity of the marriage bed, respect of personal privacy, and careful modesty between brothers and sisters. Someone has rightly said, “When this is broken in the home, all kinds of evil are let loose.” These were the kinds of evil that were rampant in the lives of the pagan Canaanites; in their homes and in their worship rituals. God wanted all traces of the lewd worship practices destroyed, nor could they be brought into their homes: the drawings, sculpted images, relics, dances and gyrations, music, and temple prostitution (Deuteronomy 7:6).

God also condemns unlawful behavior between those of the same gender and between people and animals. God revealed that He is a God of order, holiness, honor and purity. The pagan gods, in contrast, were evil and lewd characters. God wanted His people to be separate from these things.

In Proverbs we can see the characteristics of a man of integrity, a child whose doings are pure, and a chaste and virtuous woman who can safely be trusted. In order for a spouse to have the kind of trust that is described here, it is important that all thoughts, words and actions be chaste and entirely and consistently pure.

Paul wrote to both Timothy and Titus of the importance of purity, both in young men and women and in the older ones who were to teach them. All were required to be examples of the believers, so there would never be cause for the Word of God to be blasphemed by the world.

–Sis. Angela Gellenbeck

DISCUSSION:

1. Prevention: Incest has been an age-old plague in homes; sadly, in many “Christian” homes as well. How can a wise father and mother prevent compromising situations or deal with existing problems?
2. What is Proper: Describe how a balanced standard of modesty will help maintain privacy and respect between family members.
3. Worldly Defilement: What kinds of things bring worldly influences into the home, and what can a family do to keep them out?

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

Reading heart-rending statistics on child abuse within the home, listening to real-life stories from people of all ages, realizing the terrible scourge—yes, even within homes of professing Christians—knowing that even more is hidden than ever revealed has prompted me to include this in these teachings. It is awkward, difficult, and rarely addressed. But it is necessary to clearly teach what God has NOT avoided mentioning in His Word. Improper sexual relations between non-married family members is a crime, is an abomination, and is a leading factor of drug and alcohol addiction, mental illness, suicide, teenage and adult prostitution, criminal activity, and eating disorders.

God has issued safeguards in His Word. Modesty is one of them. A mother who “looks well to the ways of her household” is another. Daily Bible reading and prayer keeps the devil at bay in this area, as well.

We also need to pray for wisdom and discernment into the hearts of our family members. We ought to keep daily vigilance and communication with each of our children. Answer their questions about their body functions in a frank, honest, non-belittling, non-shaming, scientific fashion. Keep ahead of Satan’s tactics by training your children how to deal with encountering pornography, advances from predators, and uncomfortable feelings about family members. A prepared child will be a child better able to ward off abuse.

Finally, let us purge our homes of all ungodly media that de-sensitize the mind toward evil, emphasize the sensual, and open the doors wide to Satan’s control of the home.

In a positive way, teach the joy and blessing of purity. Contrast stories of people who went astray in this area, and the reaping that followed, with stories of people who have been true in their relationships and have had peace and happiness in their lives.

—Sis. Angela Gellenbeck

REFLECTIONS

Years ago, a health administrator visited a rural school system to warn the students of the danger of drinking water from nearby creeks and streams. There could be contaminants present that would make you very sick or even cause death. A student raised her hand in protest and declared, “I’ve drunk from the crick all my life and I ain’t seen a germ yet!” While this may cause us to chuckle at the ignorance of this student and maybe the locale in general, there is a truth in the matter. Many contaminants are not visible. We can become very sick from food poisoning and never see the salmonella. The air we breathe may have deadly gases, but they are invisible to the eye. Indeed, we may even drink the water and never see that it is contaminated.

So it is spiritually. The enemy is very intent on slipping anything into our homes and lives that may seem harmless, but in actuality is very deadly. We may be totally unaware of the invisible poisons. The end result will make us weak and can cause instant or eventual spiritual death. We do not have the ability to discern the dangers without the Holy Spirit. We must have the Holy Spirit living within us to give insight and warnings against the seen and unseen evils of this world.

“Watch and pray, the tempter may be near us Keep thy heart with jealous care
Lest the door a moment left unguarded

Evil thoughts may enter there.”

–Sis. LaDawna Adams