Something cool I just remembered about, something they had mentioned about at the gathering just today/yesterday. Very timely I thought, and useful for many people. It's something they mentioned for people to get involved with (practicing) it may sound hard at first glance, but it's very wise- considering how people can get into trouble... and it messes so much up..:
"THECALL –LOU ENGLE ANDMIKE BICKLE
TheCall.com
Making a Purity Covenant: Seven Practical Commitments:
I. JESUS REQUIRES THAT THE CHURCH NOT TOLERATE IMMORALITY
A. Jesus called the church in Thyatira to refuse to allow all forms of immorality in their midst. 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.
A. Jesus called the church in Thyatira to refuse to allow all forms of immorality in their midst. 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.
19 I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience (endurance)…20 I have a fewthings against you, because you allow (tolerate, NIV) that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess…to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality… (Rev. 2:19-20)
B. Immorality in the Church grieves Jesus’ heart, injures our heart and family (natural and spiritual) and grants Satan “legal doors of access” into our lives. Immorality causes Jesus to lose part of His inheritance and investment in His people as well as part of their inheritance in Him.
C. The church in Pergamos failed to confront immorality. For the story of Balaam see Num. 22-25.
The option to reverse God’s judgment is offered to all who repent (Rev. 2:16, 23). Repentancedramatically changes things as it positions us to receive God’s mercy and our full inheritance.
13I know…you dwell where Satan's throne is. You hold fast to My name…14 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…Israel to…commit sexual immorality…16 Repent, or I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. (Rev. 2:13-16)
D. 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 of trouble.
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God… (1 Pet. 4:17)
29 He who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 When we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. (1 Cor. 11:29-32)
E. Jesus promised to make a way of escape for us. The devil lies to convince many that they “cannot take it” any longer so that they give up and give in to sin.
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. 10:13)
F. The “Purity Covenant” is a commitment to tenderly, consistently and comprehensively resist all forms of immorality together as a spiritual family. We ask Jesus to open a door of glory with deliverance or to send His sword of judgment. We do not have to choose between zeal for high standards and tender mercy. We can have both. Our commitment to purity is strengthened as we
have solidarity as a spiritual family in our unified stand to this “Purity Covenant”.
Mercy triumphs over judgment. (Jas 2:13)
Mercy triumphs over judgment. (Jas 2:13)
TheCall –Lou Engle and Mike Bickle
II. SEVEN PERSONAL COMMITMENTS BEFORE THE LORD (6 MONTH COMMITMENT)
16
Confess your trespasses to one another…that you may be healed. (Jas 5:16)
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: For men and women: I commit to wear modest clothing that in no way promotes sensuality. I will “occasionally” ask a godly believer who does not dress the same way I do, if my clothing is too revealing (too tight, too short, etc.). See TheCall.com for more details.
C. Commitment #3: I commit to confess each time I view pornography or have any sexual contact with someone (not my spouse) to the same trusted friend (who embraces this covenant). I commit to register with the technology of choice that promotes the wisdom and safety of accountability whether or not I struggle with pornography.
Accountability Software: These
programs track your internet activity and send an email to the accountability partner that you choose. If you uninstall the software it triggers a report to your partner. www.covenanteyes.com
(free). Web Filtering Software: Programs that block sexual content
(39.95). See TheCall.com for more details and a complete list of services.
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. The one who breaks confidence should confess also to the one to whom he broke the confidence.
E. Commitment #5: If I “repeatedly” stumble in immorality, I will show the fruit of repentance by going with my friend to confess to the leadership and then accept the boundaries they give me.
F. Commitment #6: I commit to share with the leadership if my friend “repeatedly” stumbles in immorality. I will first tell my friend before sharing with a leader to convince him to go with me.
I refuse to yield to “unsanctified mercy” that allows sin to increase in my friend’s life.
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)
G. Commitment #7: For leaders: I commit to follow through on the process of bringing those who ‘continue’ in immorality to the appropriate discipline without offering “unsanctified mercy”.
20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all… (1 Tim 5:20, NAS)
H. We will not bring public shame to anyone who repents. We hope to never expose one’s sin publicly. There are many levels of discipline that do not require personal exposure.
8 Above all things have fervent love…for love will cover a multitude of sins. (1 Pet. 4:8)"
