Sexual Purity
Why is maintaining sexual purity so
vital to the life of a Christian?
Moral purity is not a devious plan to eliminate enjoyment
from a Christian’s life, though Satan deceptively threatens
such a loss. Instead, purity is God’s infinitely wise
foundation for true happiness and long-lasting family relationships.
I believe that the biblical standards of morality are universal
and timeless. They are applicable to all generations, to all
societies, and to all subcultures. They apply to New York,
Los Angeles, Singapore, and your community just as much as
they applied to biblical Corinth and Rome.
Today’s society is obsessed with sex. The question Christians
must ask: How should we as followers of Christ, living in
an increasingly secular and amoral society, behave concerning
sexual activity? Certainly not as atheists and agnostics
behave! One way to recognize a Christian today should be
by his or her sexual purity. Yet it is difficult to maintain
purity in a culture obsessed with sex and permissiveness
toward all forms of sexual expression. That difficulty makes
sexual purity a good test of who really is a follower of
Christ. It takes more than the best effort of natural humanity
to maintain sexual purity. It takes the redeeming and sanctifying
work of God in our lives.
Some of the words Paul addressed to the Corinthians could
well be spoken to today’s "Corinthian" society.
"It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality
among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans"
(1 Cor. 5:1). "The sexually immoral . . . will [not]
inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9). "The body
is not meant for sexual immorality" (1 Cor. 6:13).
"Flee from sexual immorality" (1 Cor. 6:18).
"Since there is so much immorality, each man should
have his own wife, and each woman her own husband" (1
Cor. 7:2). "We should not commit sexual immorality"
(1 Cor. 10:8). And after the admonitions in his first letter
were not heeded, Paul said in his second Corinthian letter,
"I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble
me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned
earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin
and debauchery in which they have indulged." (2
Cor. 12:21).
Paul knew the power of sexual drive in all individuals. He
knew that provocative dress, public gossip about sexual orgies,
and sexually charged humor were strong incitements to lust
and sin. And he knew that sexual temptations came no matter
what a person’s situation might be. So to the married
he said, "Do not deprive each other [of intimate
sexual relations] except by mutual consent and for a time,
so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together
again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack
of self-control" (1 Cor. 7:5). Paul knew that withheld
sexual relations could lead a spouse into temptation and sin.
Single persons are also called to sexual purity. "To
the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to
stay unmarried . . . But if they cannot control themselves,
they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn
with passion [engage in immoral behavior]" (1 Cor.
7:8,9). It is clear from these accumulated passages that having
sexual relations outside of marriage is forbidden, and for
good reason: sexual immorality destroys personal relationships
and a secure society.
What constitutes sexual immorality? According to the Bible
it includes adultery, fornication, homosexuality, incest,
prostitution, rape, and lust. The popular culture around
us is suggesting with a loud voice that anything short of
sexual intercourse is not sex and therefore not sinning.
But that definition of sex does not line up with the Bible.
Jesus said, "Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully
has already committed adultery with her in his heart"
(Matt. 5:28).
The biblical word to younger singles is "Flee the
evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love
and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a
pure heart." (2 Tim. 2:22). Sexually stimulating
touch and physical intimacy between a man and a woman are
part of the natural progression that in marriage leads to
intercourse. Engaging in such activity before entering into
a lifetime commitment of marriage is lust rather than love.
It is selfish gratification of one’s own pleasure rather
than a proper concern for the welfare of the partner. God
is able to help young couples desiring a committed Christian
marriage to preserve themselves for a beautiful marriage of
trust and faithfulness.
Control of the mind and its wandering thoughts is the key
to sexual purity in dating and courtship. If the mind dwells
on immediate physical gratification, the chances for a loving,
committed marriage are greatly reduced. But if dating is seen
as a time of getting to know the person who lives inside the
body, rather than exploring the body, the possibility of a
permanent Christian marriage can become a reality that God
can bless.
The apostle Paul was fully aware of the temptations that
can lead one into sexual impurity and sin. He warned Timothy,
a young man, at least three times. "Don't let anyone
look down on you because you are young, but set an example
for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and
in purity." (1 Tim. 4:12). Timothy was admonished
to relate to women in a pure manner, "older women
as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity"
(1 Tim. 5:2). And again, "Do not share in the sins
of others. Keep yourself pure" (1 Tim. 5:22). God
has promised great reward to those who behave with purity
because their hearts are pure—"Blessed are the
pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matt. 5:8).
All Scripture quotations are from the
New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise specified.
To find some clothing and other gifts designed
to encourage Purity in todays world visit:
Gethsemene
Rose Christian Gifts
|
