Making a Purity Covenant: Seven Practical Commitments
I. JESUS REQUIRES THAT THE CHURCH NOT TOLERATE IMMORALITY
A. The church of Thyatira was affirmed for growing in love and faith and enduring persecution. Yet, they lacked zeal to
take a stand against all allowance of immorality in their spiritual family.
19 I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience (endurance in persecution)…20 I have a few things against
you, because you allow (tolerate, NAS/NIV) that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess…to teach and seduce
My servants to commit sexual immorality…22 I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into
great tribulation, unless they repent…23 I will kill her children with death… (Rev. 2:19-23)
B. Immorality is “all sexual activity” that is outside the marriage covenant whether heterosexual or homosexual in all
areas of life including physical, verbal or technological (internet), etc.
C. The church of Pergamos was affirmed for holding fast to Jesus’ name in a city so wicked that it was described as
the place of Satan’s throne. Yet, they lacked zeal to confront immorality in the ministries and lives of those who held to
the doctrine of Balaam.
13 I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name…14 But I have a few
things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling
block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality…16 Repent, or else
I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. (Rev. 2:13-16)
D. The option to reverse God’s judgment is offered to all who repent (Rev. 2:16, 23). Repentance dramatically changes
things as it positions us to receive God’s mercy and our full inheritance.
E. As a movement, the Lord is offering to open a door for His glory in our midst.
7 To…the church in Philadelphia write…8 I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you…have kept
My word…11 Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in
the temple of God… (Rev. 3:7-12)
F. The Lord said from this day (March 24, 2008) forward I will release the “grace of immunity”. This includes “amnesty”
of past failures in our context to our spiritual family. The Lord wants our spiritual family to have confidence as we proceed
forward in our war against immorality.
G. This confidence is essential to our spiritual vitality. He wants us to enjoy immunity from the “accumulated power”
of shame (for past failure), fear of rejection (in being exposed), hopelessness (of experiencing a breakthrough), and all
drawing back from our highest calling. This confidence is essential in encountering the Lord so as to stand resistant
against the pervasive defilement in our culture. Immunity is the state of being immune to a disease or the condition that
permits resistance to disease. Amnesty is a pardon for offenses granted before the trial because of an act of forgiveness
for past offenses. There is exemption from any liability.
H. We are at a crossroads as the Lord offers to open a door of His glory or to release His judgment. We covenant
ourselves before the Lord to not allow immorality in our spiritual family. We commit to consistently, comprehensively and
tenderly resist all forms of immorality in our midst. In this covenant, we invite the visitation of God’s open door of glory or
of His sword.
10 It is in my heart (Hezekiah) to make a covenant with the LORD…11 My sons, do not be negligent now, for the LORD has
chosen you to stand before Him…15 And they gathered their brethren, sanctified themselves…to cleanse the house of
the LORD. (2 Chr. 29:10-15)
I. Phinehas stood against Balaam’s immorality. The zeal of Phinehas resulted in eternal blessing.
1 Israel…began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. 2 They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods…
3 The anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel…6 One of the children of Israel came and presented to his brethren
a Midianite woman…7 When Phinehas …the priest, saw it, he rose…and took a javelin in his hand; 8 and he went after
the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through…so the plague was stopped…9 Those who died in the
plague were 24,000. 10 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 11 "Phinehas…has turned back My wrath from…Israel,
because he was zealous with My zeal…12 Therefore say, I give to him My covenant of peace; 13 and it shall be to him
and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God…"
(Num. 25:1-13)
J. Eli was a devout leader who was judged because of tolerating immorality in the leadership.
22 Now Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who
assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. 23 So he said to them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear
of your evil dealings from all the people. 24 No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the LORD's
people transgress. 25…Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father…27 Then a man of God came to Eli
and said to him, "Thus says the LORD:…'28 Did I not choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest…?
29 Why do you kick at My sacrifice…and honor your sons more than Me…? 30 I said indeed that…the house of your
father would walk before Me forever.
But now…far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.
31 Behold, the days are coming that I will cut off…the arm of your father's house, so that there will not be an old man in
your house.” (1 Sam. 2:22-31)
K. We cannot allow the status quo to go unchallenged as long as immorality and witchcraft abound.
22 Joram (Jezebel’s son) saw Jehu…he said, "Is it peace Jehu?" He answered, "What peace, as long as the harlotries
of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?" (2 Kgs. 9:22)
L. Many are conceding that internet pornography is simply too strong to overcome.
M. Jesus promised to make a way of escape for us both as a movement and as individuals.
8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day 23,000 fell…13 No temptation has overtaken
you except such as is common to man; God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,
but with the temptation will make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Cor. 10:8-13)
II. THE PROGRESSION OF IMMORALITY
A. There are 4 primary strongholds of sin in the nations in the End-Times. Immorality tops almost every list of sins
in the NT and it is emphasized in Revelation as one of Satan’s primary weapons against the Church in the End-Times
(Rev. 9:21; 14:8; 17:1-4; 18:2-4, 9-10; 19:2; 21:8).
21 They did not repent of their murders or sorceries or sexual immorality or thefts. (Rev. 9:21)
B. There is a progression in Satan’s End-Time strategy. First, he uses immorality to dull the spirit and harden the
conscience (1 Tim. 4:1-2) to open the way for sorcery which emboldens murder and theft as will be seen in persecution
of the Church and Israel. Immorality dulls the spirit which causes the Church to stop reaching to operate in the power of
God. It causes guilt which produces hopelessness so people quit pursuing the deep things of God. The spirit of immorality
is meant to stop people from worshipping Jesus and partnering with Him in the prophetic (power). Immorality shuts down
the prophetic spirit.
III. PROCEEDING WITH BOLD ZEAL YET TENDERNESS IN PURITY WITH HUMILITY
A. The Lord wants to release zeal adorned with the tender mercy of the Bridal paradigm. We do not have to choose
between zeal with high standards and tender mercy.
13 Mercy triumphs over judgment. (Jas 2:13)
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart-- these, O God, You will not despise.
(Ps. 51:17)
B. Judgment begins in God’s house with God’s sword. If we voluntarily judge ourselves with the sword of God’s
Word then He need not judge us in a more severe way with His sword. There are many levels of God’s sword against
Balaam in the Church
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God… (1 Pet. 4:17)
IV. SEVEN PERSONAL COMMITMENTS BEFORE THE LORD (6 MONTHS)
16 Confess your trespasses to one another…that you may be healed. (Jas 5:16)
A. Commitment #1: I commit to refuse to participate in conversations that promote or joke about immorality. If I do speak
in this way, I will confess to those I was conversing with that I sinned.
B. Commitment #2: I commit to confess to the same trusted friend (who embraces this covenant) each time I view
pornography or have any sexual contact with someone (not my spouse).
C. Commitment #3: If I “repeatedly” stumble in immorality, I will show forth the fruits of my repentance by going with
my friend to confess to one in the leadership and then accept the boundaries they give me.
D. Commitment #4: I commit to hold any confession of my friend’s failure in strict confidentiality. If I do speak it to
another then I commit to tell it to the one who confessed their sin to me. I also commit to share with the leadership if
my friend “repeatedly” stumbles in immorality. However, I will first tell my friend before I share with a leader (to convince
my friend to go with me).
15 If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have
gained your brother. 16 If he will not hear, take with you one or two more…17 If he refuses to hear them, tell it to the
church. (Mt. 18:15-17)
E. Commitment #5: For leaders: I commit to follow the process of bringing those who ‘continue’ in immorality to the
appropriate level of “discipline”.
20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also may be fearful of sinning.
(1 Tim 5:20, NAS)
F. We hope to never expose one’s sin publicly. We believe we should be able to bring discipline that does not
require personal exposure. We will not bring public shame to anyone who repents.
9 He who covers a transgression seeks love… (Prov. 17:9)
8 Above all things have fervent love…for love will cover a multitude of sins. (1 Pet. 4:8)
G. Commitment #6: I commit to register with the technology of choice whether or not I struggle with pornography
that promotes the wisdom and safety of accountability.
H. Commitment #7: I commit to sit before Jesus in the Word on a regular basis to grow in intimacy.
39 Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. (Lk. 10:39)
V. INTERNET FILTERS AND ACCOUNTABILITY SOFTWARE
A. Accountability Software: These programs are easily installed on your computer. They track internet activity and all
questionable sites are recorded and an email is sent to your accountability partner who receives a report either once or
twice a month. You choose the accountability partner. If you turn the software off, that triggers a report to your partner.
If you uninstall the software, the same thing happens. You choose how often the report is sent and to whom.
See www.covenanteyes.com ($2.50 per month); www.x3watch.com (Free); www.integrity.com (free);
www.accountable2you.com (free).
B. Web Filtering Software: Programs are installed on your computer that block objectionable content including:
pornography, gambling, violence, etc. See www.integrity.com($49.95); www.bsafehome.com ($49.95);
www.intego.com (For Mac’s); www.cyberpatrol.com (39.95).
C. ISP (Internet Service Provider) Filtering Software: This online web filter software eliminates access to
pornography on your existing broadband Internet connection. See www.afo.net ($4.95 per month);
www.integrity.com/ ($49.95 per year).