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Impure Lust
John Flavel faithfully and powerfully applies the warnings of Scripture against sexual immorality. He exposes both its truly horrid nature and frightening consequences, before giving sound advice on how to avoid the snares of sexual sin, and how to escape if ensnared.
- GenresTheologyChristianity
80 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2008
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About the author
John Flavel
333 books89 followers"John Flavel (c.1627–1691) was an English Presbyterian clergyman, puritan, and author.
Flavel, the eldest son of the Rev. Richard Flavel, described as 'a painful and eminent minister,' who was incumbent successively of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, Hasler and Willersey, Gloucestershire (from which last living he was ejected in 1662), was born in or about 1627 at Bromsgrove.
Having received his early education at the schools of the neighbourhood, he entered University College, Oxford, at an early age, and gained a good reputation for talent and diligence.
On 27 April 1650, he was sent by 'the standing committee of Devon' to Diptford, a parish on the Avon, five miles from Totnes, where the minister, Mr. Walplate, had become infirm. On 17 October 1650, after examination and the preaching of a 'trial sermon,' he was ordained Mr. Walplate's assistant by the classis at Salisbury. He continued to minister at Diptford for about six years, succeeding the senior minister when he died, and endearing himself greatly to the people, not only by his earnestness, but by his easy dealings with them in the matter of tithes.
In 1656 he removed to Dartmouth, though the Diptford emoluments were much greater. On the passing of the Act of Uniformity (1662) he was ejected, but continued to preach in private until the Five Mile Act drove him from Dartmouth. He kept as near it, however, as possible, removing to Slapton, five miles off, and there preached twice each Sunday to all who came, among whom were many of his old parishioners. On the granting of the indulgence of 1671 he returned to Dartmouth, and continued to officiate there even after the liberty to do so was withdrawn. In the end he found himself obliged to remove to London, travelling by sea and narrowly escaping shipwreck in a storm, which is said to have ceased in answer to his prayers. Finding that he would be safer at Dartmouth he returned there, and met with his people nightly in his own house, until in 1687, on the relaxation of the penal laws, they built a meeting-house for him. Just before his death he acted as moderator at a meeting of dissenting ministers held at Topsham. He died suddenly of paralysis at Exeter on 26 June 1691, and was buried in Dartmouth churchyard. Wood bitterly comments on the violence of his dissent."
-- Wikipedia
Flavel, the eldest son of the Rev. Richard Flavel, described as 'a painful and eminent minister,' who was incumbent successively of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, Hasler and Willersey, Gloucestershire (from which last living he was ejected in 1662), was born in or about 1627 at Bromsgrove.
Having received his early education at the schools of the neighbourhood, he entered University College, Oxford, at an early age, and gained a good reputation for talent and diligence.
On 27 April 1650, he was sent by 'the standing committee of Devon' to Diptford, a parish on the Avon, five miles from Totnes, where the minister, Mr. Walplate, had become infirm. On 17 October 1650, after examination and the preaching of a 'trial sermon,' he was ordained Mr. Walplate's assistant by the classis at Salisbury. He continued to minister at Diptford for about six years, succeeding the senior minister when he died, and endearing himself greatly to the people, not only by his earnestness, but by his easy dealings with them in the matter of tithes.
In 1656 he removed to Dartmouth, though the Diptford emoluments were much greater. On the passing of the Act of Uniformity (1662) he was ejected, but continued to preach in private until the Five Mile Act drove him from Dartmouth. He kept as near it, however, as possible, removing to Slapton, five miles off, and there preached twice each Sunday to all who came, among whom were many of his old parishioners. On the granting of the indulgence of 1671 he returned to Dartmouth, and continued to officiate there even after the liberty to do so was withdrawn. In the end he found himself obliged to remove to London, travelling by sea and narrowly escaping shipwreck in a storm, which is said to have ceased in answer to his prayers. Finding that he would be safer at Dartmouth he returned there, and met with his people nightly in his own house, until in 1687, on the relaxation of the penal laws, they built a meeting-house for him. Just before his death he acted as moderator at a meeting of dissenting ministers held at Topsham. He died suddenly of paralysis at Exeter on 26 June 1691, and was buried in Dartmouth churchyard. Wood bitterly comments on the violence of his dissent."
-- Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 30, 2023
Very good. Flavel gets to the heart of the matter and provides Biblical directions to overcome lust, fornication, and adultery.
Something that caught my attention was how he treated sin and sinners. He showed no toleration towards both. Yet, following the example of the prophets and apostles, he never ceased to preach repentance. As stinging as the preaching towards the sin was, it was delightful to see the calls of repentance.
A good example worth following, even in an age where the preaching of repentance is seen as “judgmental”.
Something that caught my attention was how he treated sin and sinners. He showed no toleration towards both. Yet, following the example of the prophets and apostles, he never ceased to preach repentance. As stinging as the preaching towards the sin was, it was delightful to see the calls of repentance.
A good example worth following, even in an age where the preaching of repentance is seen as “judgmental”.
August 29, 2012
Fantastic little theological nugget on the dangers of impure lust and its remedies. No one can peel back the layers of your heart quite like a puritan.
December 28, 2019
Must read for any man or woman struggling with lust.
December 30, 2013
Flavel skillfully navigates Scripture, demonstrating the perils of lust and the dire consequences of becoming ensnared by its wiles. Although lust can appear harmless, the results of embracing it are catastrophic. A person who gives into lust soon becomes caught by its pull, slowly losing any ability to break free, and may never escape its grip or the judgment that accompanies it. Flavel concludes this very short book with helpful direction in avoiding and overcoming lust.
March 26, 2013
John Flavel does an excellent job, cutting marrow through. He exposes sin and brings to the forefront the gravity and repugnancy our Lord has for this grievous sin. There is freedom in Christ!!
January 17, 2023
The book centers around whoredom, adultery, and fornication. It describes the horrible ways God calls these sins and what the consequences are. One of the consequences that most stood out to me was the fact that God allows people to fall into adultery who are already unloved and abhorred by God so he gives them up. On the other hand it was moving to read calls to repentance and the verse “such were some of you but you were washed.” Something else that stood out was the gravity of consequences on such sins in this life. It leaves hurt and scars forever. Even David, though God blessed him to repent, was remembered by his sin and that was a stain on his life. He was a man after God’s own heart and faithful, except with what happened with Bathsheba and Uriah the Hittite.
Very clear book with word pictures that help Flavel make his points easy to understand. There are quite a lot of Scripture references sometimes, which is good but can be overwhelming though beneficial. It is also easy to read bc sometimes one or two verses are written out so you can still get the main idea.
It was also cool to read Flavel’s life story and his impact of history. One takeaway that would have been good to read about is if they could have pasted an except of Flavel discussing lust in the mind and the implications/consequences of that. Jesus said that looking with lust is the same as adultery…
Very clear book with word pictures that help Flavel make his points easy to understand. There are quite a lot of Scripture references sometimes, which is good but can be overwhelming though beneficial. It is also easy to read bc sometimes one or two verses are written out so you can still get the main idea.
It was also cool to read Flavel’s life story and his impact of history. One takeaway that would have been good to read about is if they could have pasted an except of Flavel discussing lust in the mind and the implications/consequences of that. Jesus said that looking with lust is the same as adultery…
July 4, 2024
This is a short, biblically grounded resource for those battling lust. It’s divided in 3 sections: warnings about the danger of this particular sin, followed by a series of instructions and then concludes with a short biography of his life, writings, and impact.
Reading the first section left me with a heaviness as he considers and lists out the severity of the warnings against lust. The puritans were so incredibly well at drawing out collective teaching from the Scriptures on a particular topic and this is no different and there are so many warnings about this dangerous sin.
The instructions focus heavily on practical application and instruction. My only feedback is only the first really focuses on the gospel and needing to be converted but there’s much more that can be said I on how the gospel transforms and empowers the instruction that followed.
The last section concludes with my favorite story from Flavel’s ministry, the conversion of Luke Short which moves my heart in affectionate love considering the providence of God.
“Though ministers die, yet their words live; their words take hold of men when they are in the dust.” - Flavel
Reading the first section left me with a heaviness as he considers and lists out the severity of the warnings against lust. The puritans were so incredibly well at drawing out collective teaching from the Scriptures on a particular topic and this is no different and there are so many warnings about this dangerous sin.
The instructions focus heavily on practical application and instruction. My only feedback is only the first really focuses on the gospel and needing to be converted but there’s much more that can be said I on how the gospel transforms and empowers the instruction that followed.
The last section concludes with my favorite story from Flavel’s ministry, the conversion of Luke Short which moves my heart in affectionate love considering the providence of God.
“Though ministers die, yet their words live; their words take hold of men when they are in the dust.” - Flavel
March 20, 2023
The only reason I can give for not finishing this sooner is either my laziness in reading or that every few pages I'm struck by the conviction Flavel gives. This pamphlet is a clarion call for those either tempted by or indulged in this sin of the dangers that await you. Yet even in this fiery tract, there is the offer of the Gospel which Flavel diligently delivers with fatherly warmth. Only downside I have is that the Introduction of Flavel and his work at the end (which makes up half the book)is unnecessarily added and takes a bit of the punch off of the booklet.
October 3, 2025
Strong. Direct. Blunt. Forthright. Unequivocal. Wow.
After reading this short charge by Flavel on the subject of lust (of which he addresses adultery and fornication), I am struck by how forceful God is in His holy word regarding this topic. Flavel pulls no punches and this (IMO) should be read and thoughtfully meditated upon by every Christian man and woman. Perhaps the warnings given by a man 300+ years ago on this deadly topic would keep some person from destroying their life (and the life of those around them, especially with adultery).
After reading this short charge by Flavel on the subject of lust (of which he addresses adultery and fornication), I am struck by how forceful God is in His holy word regarding this topic. Flavel pulls no punches and this (IMO) should be read and thoughtfully meditated upon by every Christian man and woman. Perhaps the warnings given by a man 300+ years ago on this deadly topic would keep some person from destroying their life (and the life of those around them, especially with adultery).
November 17, 2021
I love Flavel. This little book have two sections : one on the dangers of impure lust and some directions to guard ourself against it. The other is a article originally published by Banner in 1968, which marked the re-publication of the six-volume set of Flavel’s Works. The article is an introduction to Flavel.
July 10, 2023
The Truth in Scripture is so wonderfully weaved throughout the words of this book. As is often the case with truth, this book will separate the sheep from the goats. One will either read this book and weep over his sin or the state of those in it; or he will harden his heart in obstinacy and continue in his sin.
September 20, 2022
Flavel’s way of explaining things is absolutely amazing. Simple words, deep meaning. He goes straightforward to the main points and the applications of the Gospel regarding this particular (and very destructive) sin.
In my opinion, way more helpful than John Owen’s Mortification of Sin.
In my opinion, way more helpful than John Owen’s Mortification of Sin.
December 16, 2023
This book is quite strong on painting the sin of lust as the ugly thing it is and giving practical ways to fight it. However, it is weak on bringing the good news to bear on discouraged sinners enslaved by this sin. Good to read alongside Chalmer’s “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection”.
October 21, 2023
Um livro simples para estimular à uma luta intensa e drástica contra o pecado sexual.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2025
Decent. Worth your time. Probably better to find in the open domain than to spend $3 for a sermon.
June 9, 2025
Sobering.
August 4, 2025
The updated language makes this book as smooth as silk. What a wonderful modern version addressing an old and very prevalent sin!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews