Measure of a Man: Moral Purity

Chapter 3 is based on the phrase, "the husband of one wife," which has been interpreted several ways, most prominently as 1) faithful in marriage, or 2) as never having been divorced. Probably in its simplest form, literally translated "one woman man," it was against polygamy.

Getz focuses on the first definition and defines the Christian attribute that godly men must exhibit as moral purity.

There are several points worth discussing in Getz approach to moral purity. For me, one point deals with the high calling of the Christian faith. Those of us who claim faith in Christ must realize that he has called us to more than just religion. "Christian morality extends its boundaries beyond the physical act of illegitimate sexual relationships, according to Jesus: . . . 'I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart' (Matthew 5:27-28)." (p.35-36)

Getz goes on to highlight the difference between temptation and lust, but I wish he would have pursued it a little further. In our sexually charged culture, everyone, men and women, are forced to deal with their own limitations and also invited to envy those who have better physical gifts and tools. We thus seek to master our own inadequacies by finding fulfillment, often secretly, by using our eyes and minds.

I do not think this means that every glance is sin. God has still made nature very good, even in its sinful state. Thus, there are many wonderful things, including the opposite sex, that are pleasing to look at. So, I think of it in these terms: The first look is on God--the second look is on me. In truth, it is the second, third, fourth look that get us into trouble. What if Eve (and Adam) would have taken one look at the fruit and kept going. In fact, they did it everyday in the garden. Until one day Satan talked them into a longer, deeper look that turned into longing, desire, and lust. They went from happy in life to wanting something they could not have. And you know the rest of the story. . . .

Thus, our weaknesses provide temptation, but it is not willful sin if we are tempted, just a sign of our weakness. Sin occurs when we give temptation the opportunity to grow into a desire, which leads to actions that go toward spiritual death.

James 1:14-15: "Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

I John 2:16 "For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world."

The desires of the mind, the lust of the eyes, the boasting of the tongue--anyone guilty of these things?

And the Man of God keeps his mind, eyes, and tongue in check.