Immorality defiles the Church

Apostle Steve Lyston, Contributor

Every generation must have a Samuel, otherwise the Church will be set back immeasurably. If there is not a strong spiritual leader, the people will perish. The fact that the Philistines are not afraid to attack or march against the Church is a clear indication of the sin that exists within. I Samuel 7:3-4 says: "Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, 'If you return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.' So the children of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only."

It must be duly noted that the Philistine was a domestic and not a foreign enemy. The 'Philistine' illustrates the power of the enemy inside the professing Christian Church, and is more to be dreaded than any enemy who stands outside.

Immorality is now dominating the world. Many are celebrating worldwide while others are asking the question, 'Where is God in all this?'

But before the Church leaders can deal with the varying issues successfully, and win the battle against immorality, they will need to admit their shortcomings, fall on their faces and repent before the Lord. They cannot try to use the ark as a magic symbol, thinking it will atone for their evil doings and guarantee the presence and blessing of God.

Immorality In The Church

Paul, the Apostle, made clear the seriousness of the level of immorality in the Church. Immorality was considered so serious that Paul said we must withdraw ourselves from and not even eat from them. He was referring to immoral people in the Church who claimed to be Christians. The Church has been compromising for years with immoral Christians and now we are reaping the rewards of that.

If the Church wants to see change in the world with regard to immorality, then the time has come to administer strict discipline when Christians openly persist in sin and do not heed corrective counsel.

Leave the world to God, and let God judge the world. Very shortly, many of them will be crying - weeping - for what they have done.

We need to stop transferring the compromising pastors, priests, musicians, singers and officers of the Church, who are involved in immorality, and are still serving therein, and put them out if they fail to be restored!

Immorality is not only a sin against the body, but also against the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:9-10 and II Corinthians 5:9-13)!

In order to deal with immorality in the Church, then it will need to engage in the very things that it has been fighting against - the ministry of deliverance - (Mark 1 & 5). Perversion is an unclean spirit, which, perverts the course of justice, destroys families, brings people into error, and twists, coils and corrupts the biblical doctrine. Anyone who professes to be a Christian, who also supports or justifies immorality within or outside the Church, is walking in error and is being influenced by the spirit of perversion.

Immorality cannot be defeated through the flesh or the legal system. It is defeated by the spirit of grace and supplication (Ephesians 4:18). The issues of abortion, gambling, child abuse, pornography, atheism, filthy minds and doctrinal error all work in conjunction with immorality. Additionally, the love of money and whoremongering are all connected to immorality.

It attacks and defiles spiritual leaders, judges, lawyers, lawmakers, high-ranking officials, and people poised for greatness.

Sex is a gift of God and from that perspective it allows one to imitate God's image, thus all improper sexual activity is seen as an affront to God and the lowering of human dignity.

The Church is now in a great era to re-establish the deliverance ministry and the spiritual gifts, begin administering serious discipline for those within the house, feed and help those who are on the streets and are caught up in immorality; show them the love of Jesus and thus bring them back to the fold.

We need to teach members of the Church about how to conduct themselves in the various environments, the importance of waiting and seeking the Lord on whom He has chose for them. The Church has to win the battle within before they can deal with the battle on the outside, or else they will fall before the Philistines. (I Samuel 4:10)

Steve Lyston is a biblical economics consultant and author of several books, including 'End Times Finance' and 'he New Millionaire'.