Is Purity

JAPHETH NTHIWA

Scripture quotations taken from various version of the bible.

Is Purity Possible?
ISBN: 9966-7275-2-3 2008 by Japheth Nthiwa P. O. Box 42254 - 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Mobile: 254- 722 992 111, 254- 735 454 666 E-mail: pastajeff2002@gmail.com Web site: www.pasinthiwa.com All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author.

Published by Aura Creations auratoday@yahoo.com P. O. Box 3875 00506 Nairobi Tel: 254 20 2134 678

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Contents
Dedication Acknowledgments Foreword Introduction 1. God Demands Absolute Purity 2. Purity Of Mind 3. Focus on the Pure 4. Modesty 5. Is It Love or Lust? 6. Developing A Passion for Purity 7. Practicing Self Control 8. Virgin Marys Testimony 9. Purity Testimonies by Young People 10. Purity in Dating Relationships 11. An Aids Generation 12. Make a Priceless Commitment The Pledge of Purity
iv v vii 11 17 29 37 45 53 59 69 81 91 101 121 127 140

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Dedication
This book is dedicated to the new generation of young people who have a genuine desire to write a legacy of living for God and confounding the exaggerations of modern living.

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Acknowledgments
Firstly, I thank God my Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit for putting a witness in my heart about the possibility of living a pure life brings honour to Him . Special thanks; To Sandy, for your kind words of encouragement; you made my writing a reality at a time when I would have easily given up. To my senior pastor, Rev. John Wesley Nguuh of Nairobi Pentecostal Church, Woodley; you believed in me and showed, approval for the work Ive done in the youth ministry. You have no idea how much confidence you have given me. To my family; Thank you for giving me hope while I was a teenager. Your love and prayers have enabled me to unleash my God given potential in serving as a youth pastor as well as writing this book. You are forever precious to me. To the youths of NPC Woodley; you guys are my heroes. You mean everything to me. Through our numerous struggles , our travails and pains, we have together shared moments of victory when we truimphed over the evil one. Many are the times when we prevailed with God and obtained favour. Many are the opportunities we enjoyed in doing the
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Acknowledgments
work of God together. Of course weve had our challenges but you guys made it possible for the youth church in Woodley to lean on God in corporate effort. I cherish your fellowship, I admire your zeal and I envy your sincere passion for God.

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Thought
Just because you feel and I feel, doesnt mean that God wills.

- Henry Mwaniki Author: Relationship Gumzo Aura Publishing 2008

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Is Purity Possible? Foreword

We are living in perilous times. Man seems to have come of age and discarded the values of God. People have become lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and pride of life are greatly promoted all around. All this seeming apostasy has come at a great cost. The more people try to satisfy their earthly nature, the more empty they seem to become. Why? The author graciously gives an answer. Man was created to be pure. Without purity, there is no true fulfillment in life. Impurity is a counterfeit. It is a lie from hell to destroy the lives of young and old in our generation. From his great experience as a youth minister, Pastor Nthiwa has in an excellent way brought out the realities of our generation and how the scriptures address them. He has particularly been able to show in a very practical way how one can keep oneself pure in this evil and adulterous generation. The testimonies are powerful. He has the language and the passion to get his message across. He also lives out this message in his life and ministry. I am very blessed to have him in our pastoral team at NPC Woodley (The Tabernacle of Pacesetters in Growth and Transformation), a ministry of Christ is the Answer Ministries
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Foreword
Is Purity Possible is a must-read, not only for the young person but for the old as well as any one who truly wants to walk the narrow path and enjoy the privilege of true life to the fullest! As I read it, my own life was greatly impacted. I highly recommend this book as one who has worked with the youth especially through Kenya Students Christian Fellowship (KSCF) where I served for 8 years as staff and currently the National Chairman.

Rev. John Wesley Nguuh Senior Pastor Nairobi Pentecostal Church, Woodley.

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I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
1John 2:12-14

Introduction
Let No Man Despise Thy Youth It is fun to be young. Ask John the apostle. In 1John 2:12-14, John tells us that young men are energetic they are strong. He indicates that these young men are strong and in their strength, they have overcome the evil one. By virtue of their characteristic energy and strength, young men often do the work and fight the battles. They make the difference because they posses life and vitality. But why does John put young men third in the order? If you were talking about stages of growth, the order should be children, young men, and fathers. But Johns order is children, fathers, and young men. Johns purpose was not to give us a logical presentation but to make a point about the process of growth and maturity in godliness. I believe that the reason he addressed young men last was to share the most important principle of growth. John wanted to share with us the means or instrument of growth.
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Is Purity Possible?
What was is the key to the strength of young men? What is the key to young men overcoming the evil one? We find in these young men the key to all spiritual growth. The key to spiritual growth is the Word of God. These young men were strong because of the Word of God. John says that the word of God lives in the young. If we are to grow in spiritual maturity, the Word of God must live in us. John knew it all: the solution was in following the example of the young people who were totally devoted to the word of God. However what John did not anticipate was that there would arise a generation of young people who would not love the Word of God the likes of you and me who blush before the world as we give our testimony. We must fight for our generation young people; we must never be ashamed of the things that give us power. We shouldnt be ashamed of what gives us life. We must learn to fight. The phrase Born of God, has deep meaning. Those born of God are children of God. Those who are not born of God are children of the devil. As a believer in Christ, you must know that you are born of God. You belong to him, you posses His DNA. What he hates you must hate, and what he loves you must love. You are born of the Spirit in the family of God. How we conduct ourselves as young people who have been washed by the blood of Jesus matters
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Introduction
a lot. Are we setting an example of pure behavior, clean lives and moral conduct. The Scriptures tell us that our influence, either good or bad, is like light which seen by others. Matthew 5:14-16 says, You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. The heartbeat of purity is in understanding what Titus says: Titus 2:12 denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. This verse is a good start to understanding how God wants us to live. Righteously means the right way whereas godly means to be like God in character. Wow! Thats a high calling. Jesus said, I have overcome the world. In order to become the atoning sacrifice on the cross through the shedding of his blood, Jesus had to go through much suffering and the crucifixion. But Jesus encouraged his disciples, saying, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 says, I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
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Is Purity Possible?
Paul the Apostle poured out his life as a drink offering. Paul said in 2Timothy 4:7-8: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day... Here, Pauls testimony is his confidence that he won victory over the world; he is about to pass away, and at the same time, he is standing to be crowned with the crown of righteousness. Will that be your testimony? Your calling as a born-again young person is to live a godly life in this wicked age. However, we know that you cannot escape from evil until your life is fully surrendered to God. When God is first in your life, living godly will be a priority. It follows therefore that if youre not departing from sin, God is certainly not first in your life. Remember, the Bible says that as a child of God you need to be holy in all your conduct. Holiness is thinking as God thinks and desiring as God desires. What are some of the things that please God? Whatever they are, you need to do these things. On the other hand what are the things that God despises? You must keep away from these things. This book is committed to helping you achieve purity without which no one shall see God. You may be wondering, Does the Bible actually demand such high standards of Christians? Let us allow Gods word to answer that question.
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Introduction
Ephesians 5:1 says, Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 1Peter 1:15 says, But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. Notice Peter writes all your conduct. An old preacher once said, All means all and thats all - all means. Therefore, born again young people need to honour the Lord with their lifestyle. Do not waste the years of your youth. Your youthful days on earth are for more than fun and education. Set a good example for us who are older and who need refreshing. But let me remind those of you who are in my Heavenly Dads bracket of time that there is reward in living a holy life. This is echoed by the words of the Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 40:31, Even the young shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted. But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.

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How much impurity would you tolerate if you knew that your food or drink had some?

God Demands Absolute Purity

There is a great difference between salvation from sin and satisfaction of the soul. Salvation secures our lives for all eternity. Soul satisfaction ensures abundant life on earth... I believe a person can receive Christ as Savior, serve Him for decades, and meet him face-to-face in glory without ever experiencing satisfaction in Him. Satisfaction in Christ can be a reality. Its not about a life full of activities. Its about a soul full of Jesus. - Beth Moore It is your duty to present your body as a living sacrifice unto God; it is not an option. However if you obey the lusts of your body, you are hasting with exceptional speed towards utter destruction. Your body contains your soul
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Is Purity Possible? and spirit. Therefore, when the bible refers to your body as a living sacrifice in Romans 12:12, it means your whole being, soul and spirit included. People who are addicted to drugs or sexual immorality sometimes want to give their lives to God, but since their bodies are weak, they are driven towards the same lifestyle. In Romans chapter 7, we are told that although the spirit is often willing to do the will of God, the flesh easily gets on the way of our walk due to its weakness. That is why the bible commands us to present our members as instruments of righteousness and not to wickedness. It is possible for sin not to rule over our bodies. It is possible to put down the lusts of the flesh by giving a total blackout to lustful thoughts. God wants your whole body, soul and spirit to be totally dedicated to Him so that you are holy, holy, holy. If your mouth is not surrendered to God then vices such as slander, evil jesting, and mockery will come out. But when youve surrendered your mouth to God, you will speak words of comfort and life to those around you. That is the essence of the bible verse in Philippians 2:1011: In the name of Jesus every knee
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God Demands Absolute Purity should bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The foundation of New Testament revelation is the Lordship of Jesus Christ and our submission to Him. Our lives have their fulfillment under the Lordship of Christ. There is little meaning to our existence if we live without recognizing Him as Lord. You will realize that a self-centered Christian is always unhappy, is seldom liked by others and rarely brings joy to others. God never intended for us to be the center of our own universe. We were born again by the Holy Spirit to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. When we are submissive and surrendered to Christ, Gods perfect will and purpose is fulfilled in us and through us. We can attain the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God mentioned in Romans 12:1-2 by presenting ourselves a living sacrifice. When we surrender our bodies to Christs influence, our lives acquire a new sense of purpose. If you do not know Jesus as Lord, you are bound to experience frustration and defeat and display protracted immaturity. Submission and dedication to God brings an end to confusion and spiritual rottenness in
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Is Purity Possible? a believers walk, and it ushers the beginning of a dynamic and Spirit-led life. Nevertheless, submission is not easy to attain. Corinthians 12:3 says, No man can say, Jesus is Lord, but only in the Holy Spirit. The formula for Christian confession given by the Apostle Paul in Romans 10:9 was: If you shall confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shall believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved. Personal salvation should not only mean the pardon of our sins but also indicate a change of allegiance to a new Lord and Master. Present your whole being to God as a living sacrifice so that it will be evident that you belong to Jesus Christ. This command calls us to be totally sold out for the Lord. I am a regular visitor of AllWorship.com, a web portal dedicated to ministering to the young people. I receive emails and forwards from AllWorship every week. As I begun to pen down what I believed to be my greatest passion and mission among the young people the Purity Is Possible project I received the following e-mail from AllWorship that blessed my heart and amazingly brought
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God Demands Absolute Purity home the message of my passion. The e-mail was a story called, The Brownies. Some years ago, I walked into my office after a Sunday morning service to find a sandwich bag on my desk containing three chocolate brownies. Some thoughtful and anonymous person who knew my love for chocolate had placed them there, along with a piece of paper that had a short story written on it. I immediately sat down and began eating the first brownie as I read the following story. Two teenagers asked their father if they could go to the theatre to watch a movie that all their friends had seen. After reading some reviews about the movie on the Internet, he denied their request. Aw dad, why not? they complained. Its rated PG-13, and were both older than thirteen! Dad replied: Because that movie contains nudity and portrays immorality as being normal and acceptable behavior. But dad, those are just very small parts of the movie! Thats what our friends whove seen it have told us. The movie is two hours long
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Is Purity Possible? and those scenes are just a few minutes of the total film! Its based on a true story of how good triumphs over evil, and there are other redeeming themes like courage and self-sacrifice. Even the movie review websites say that! My answer is No, and that is my final answer. You are welcome to stay home tonight, invite some of your friends over, and watch one of the good videos we have in our home collection. But you will not go and watch that film. End of discussion. The two teenagers walked dejectedly into the family room and slumped down on the couch. As they sulked, they were surprised to hear the sounds of their father preparing something in the kitchen. They soon recognized the wonderful aroma of brownies baking in the oven, and one of the teenagers said to the other, Dad must be feeling guilty, and now hes going to try to make it up to us with some fresh brownies. Maybe we c a n soften him with lots of praise when he brings them out to us and persuade him to let us go to that movie after all. About that time, I began to eat the second brownie from the
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God Demands Absolute Purity sandwich bag and wondered if there was a connection to the brownies I was eating and the brownies in the story. I kept reading. The teens were not disappointed. Soon their father appeared with a plate of warm brownies, which he offered to his kids. They each took one. Then their father said, Before you eat, I want to tell you something: I love you both so much. The teenagers smiled at each other with knowing glances. Dad was softening. That is why Ive made these brownies with the very best ingredients. Ive made them from scratch. Most of the ingredients are even organic. The best organic flour. The best free-range eggs. The best organic sugar. Premium vanilla and chocolate. The brownies looked mouth-watering, and the teens began to become a little impatient with their dads long speech. But I want to be perfectly honest with you. There is one ingredient I added that is not usually found in brownies. I got that ingredient from our own back yard. But you neednt worry, because I only added the tiniest bit of that ingredient to your brownies. The amount of the
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Is Purity Possible? portion is practically insignificant. So go ahead, take a bite and let me know what you think. Dad, would you mind telling us what that mystery ingredient is before we eat? Why? The portion I added was so small. Just a teaspoonful. You wont even taste it. Come on, dad; just tell us what that ingredient is. Dont worry! It is organic, just like the other ingredients. Dad! Well, OK, if you insist. That secret ingredient is organic...dog poop. I immediately stopped chewing that second brownie and spat it out into the wastebasket by my desk. I continued reading, now fearful of the paragraphs that still remained. Both teens instantly dropped their brownies back on the plate and began inspecting their fingers with horror. DAD! Why did you do that? Youve tortured us by making us smell those brownies cooking for the last half hour, and now you tell us that you
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God Demands Absolute Purity added dog poop! We cant eat these brownies! Why not? The amount of dog poop is very small compared to the rest of the ingredients. It wont hurt you. Its been cooked right along with the other ingredients. You wont even taste it. It has the same consistency as the brownies. Go ahead and eat! No, Dad...NEVER! And that is the same reason I wont allow you to go watch that movie. You wont tolerate a little dog poop in your brownies, so why should you tolerate a little immorality in your movies? I discarded what remained of the second brownie as well as the entire untouched third brownie. What had been irresistible a minute ago had become detestable. And only because of the very slim chance that what I was eating was slightly polluted. (Surely it wasnt...but I couldnt convince myself.) What a lesson about purity! Why really do we tolerate any sin at all? On the day of the Passover, the Israelites were commanded to remove every bit of leaven from their homes. Sin is like leaven a little bit leavens the whole lump
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Is Purity Possible? (1 Corinthians 5:6). It is the tiny mustard seed that gives birth to a huge plant. The small seed of sin will definitely give birth to an addiction to sin and then death. You will be amazed when you read what the amplified bible says in 1Thessalonians 4:1-8, Furthermore brethren, we beg and admonish you in (virtue of our union with) the Lord Jesus, that (you follow the instructions which) you learned from us about how you ought to walk so as to please and gratify God, as indeed you are doing (and) that you do so even and more abundantly (attaining yet greater perfection in living this life). For you know what charges and precepts we gave you on (the authority and by inspiration of) the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, that you should be consecrated (separated and set apart for pure and holy living): that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice, that each one should know how to posses (control, manage) his own body in consecration (purity, separated from profane things) and honor, not (to be used) in the passion of lust like the heathen, who are ignorant of the true God and have no knowledge of His will, that no man transgress and overreach his brother and defraud him in this matter. For the Lord is
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God Demands Absolute Purity an avenger in all this things, as we have already warned you solemnly and told you plainly. For God has not called us to impurity but to consecration (to dedicate ourselves to the most thorough purity). Therefore whoever disregards (sets aside and rejects this) disregards not man but God, whose (very) Spirit (whom) He gives to you is holy (chaste, pure). Purity is Gods idea, it is not an idea for a certain generation or another; it is the Godordained way for every child of God. Those who deny the way of purity deny God Himself. We are to be totally dedicated to God so that everything we do revolves around our relationship with God. When you are sold out to God, you cant be bought out by the world. We are in the world but we are not of the world. Jesus lived in the world but He managed to keep off the contaminations of sin and lust. Its like being in a boat in the water; you want your boat in the water but you dont want water in the boat. We have to live our lives in the world but we must keep the world from seeping into our lives.

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We need to get rid of what is impure but also choose actively to focus on the pure.

Purity of Mind
The mind is most important part on your body that you need to give over to God. Your thoughts must be surrendered fully to God. All your sins begin in the mind first. Therefore, the battle for purity takes place in your mind. Romans 12:1-2 says, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Purity of the mind involves replacing lustful thoughts with good ones. We should endeavor to guard our minds from things that
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Is Purity Possible? defile our mental purity by being careful about what we meditate on, the movies we watch, how we look at people of the opposite sex, etc. We need to make up our minds that whenever our thoughts begin to drift along negative territory, we will make a conscious effort to replace them with pure thoughts. This is what the bible commands in Philippians 4:6-8 when it says, Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Strive to think and talk the way God wants. Those who appropriate the lordship of Jesus Christ in their lives have allowed Him to dominate their thoughts. They think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. To be spiritually correct, we need to do two things: we need to get rid of what is impure and choose to focus on the pure.
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Purity of Mind There is a good reason why Paul urges us to be spiritually correct. You see, we are surrounded every day by so much that is impure. Therefore, we need constant reminders that our portion as children of a holy God is to remain pure. Any time you turn on the TV you can prove this; if you are not watching content that is full of sexual overtures, perhaps it is violence, profanity or cursing. That is true even for cartoons, and everyday news and adverts. Publishers have found that sex and violence makes for good sales of magazines, newspapers and books. Hardly does a day or week pass without one of these subjects staring us in the face around street corners. Sadly, such publications have found their way into some Christian homes and offices. All around us, we hear about attempts to advance homosexual and abortion rights with the Christian pro-life viewpoint being mocked and scorned. Go to certain stores in town and you can purchase almost any kind of pornography. Visit the internet and you will find all kinds of sites and discussion groups filled with hate-literature against people of other tribes, religions, races and nationalities. You will find sites and discussion
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Is Purity Possible? groups filled with the lies of sects, false religions and cults. You will find sites and discussion groups entirely devoted to pornography. All of these influences are external to us because they occur in our surrounding. But allow me to point to some of the impurities that are within us. You might be in conflict with someone your pastor, a present or former date, a parent, a brother or sister, a workmate or a church member. Each time you think of that person you get angry and wish they were whisked to the furthest planet. Maybe you are a bigot or racist who has no love for people of other races or nationalities. Maybe you have a problem with lust. Your mind is filled with all sorts of images of naked men or women. Maybe your problem is greed and covetousness. Am sure you get the point: around us and within us there can be so much that is impure. Many of us are careful about what we eat. We pay attention to the way different types of food affect our body. But do we pay the same attention to the way we feed or fill our mind, our imagination and our spirit? When it comes to feeding our mind, too often we pick junk food
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Purity of Mind rather than something healthy. Paul tells us that we need to be as concerned about what fills our mind as we are concerned about what fills our body. In Philippians 4:8 we understand that there is a real cause for, not just guarding what enters our minds, but also making an active effort to feed ourselves with wholesome stuff. Instead of filling our minds with impure thoughts, we need to fill it with pure thoughts. Thats what the text tells us. But there is another reason too. What happens when we concentrate too much on the impure? What happens when we see only the ugly in the world? What happens when we have eyes only for the evil that God permits in our lives? What happens when we are not spiritually correct? Let me tell you what happens. We become so accustomed to certain impurities that they no longer bother us. For instance, we hear and see so much about abortion and homosexual lifestyles that we no longer think of it as being evil in Gods sight. We are under calculated pressure to consider those who practice such perversions as our brothers and sisters who have adopted alternative lifestyles.
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Is Purity Possible? We no longer realize we are looking at half naked men or women on the TV. We become so accustomed to seeing adultery and pre-marital sex that we even begin to accept it. The very next step of course is that we even begin to participate in the things we know to be wrong. The best example of this kind of behaviour is Lot. He started off by living on the plains, keeping away from the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah. Pretty soon, he was pitching his tent next to Sodom. Shortly after, we find him living in Sodom itself. The result was that his own daughters intoxicated him with wine and took advantage of his drunkenness to have sex with him in turns. Something else happens when we tolerate impurity around us. A sense of despair sets in. Darkness begins to grow within us. We become discouraged and depressed. We give up on everything: people, the church, the world, ourselves and even God. Jesus has bought us with His own precious blood. Therefore, we belong to Him. We are His precious people and we must be like Him. In Philippians 2:5, Paul says, Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. In fact, Gods goal in saving us is to make us like Jesus. So, like
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Purity of Mind Jesus, we need to keep impurities away from us. To be spiritually pure, we need to get rid of what is impure. Do you know what that means for you today? It means you dont have to watch or listen to what is ignoble, wrong, impure, ugly, contemptible, inferior, or ridiculous. For instance, you can always reach over and turn off the radio or TV. You can write to producers and editors and request positive news. You can disconnect your modem rather than view cybersex. You dont have to rent movies with sex and violence. When you buy audio CDs, you dont need music with lyrics that fills your mind with corruption. When you stop at the corner store, you dont have to buy Playboy or Two Can Play That Game. When you go to the library, you dont have to take out the latest Romance Novel. To a large extent, each one of us has to make a choice. We have to make a choice to ignore what is bad and wicked. To be spiritually correct we need to consciously avoid and shun what is impure. That way, our minds will win the battle for purity.

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Just like the body, the mind needs to be nourished with a diet of wholesome thoughts.

Focus on the Pure

To attain the purity that God wants for us, we will have to do a lot more. We have to make a choice to pick out what is good and righteous. We must stay away from poison. We must be careful not to pick up garbage. So, does that mean we starve our minds? Does it mean we keep our minds empty? In order to live well, the body needs to be fed with a steady diet of wholesome food. In the same way, the mind needs to be nourished with a diet of wholesome thoughts. Remember our text in Philippians 4:8 - whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
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Is Purity Possible? Spend your time on that which is dear and precious to your spiritual growth. Make a daily effort to fill your mind with things that have the power to build you up. It is not enough just to keep off bad stuff. Let us indulge a bit in understanding that bible portion. The word precious means Of great price, costly, valuable, very dear, highly esteemed, expensive. Apostle Peter loved to use the word, precious in his epistles. Note Peters precious treasures. - Precious Trials That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth (1Peter 1:7). - Precious Blood Redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot (I Peter 1:18,19). - Precious Corner Stone To whom coming, as unto a living stone, chosen of God, and precious, a chief corner stone, elect, precious (I Peter 2:4, 6). - Precious Lord Unto you therefore
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Focus On The Pure which believe He is precious (I Peter 2:7). - Precious Faith To them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ (II Peter 1:1). - Precious Promises Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (II Peter 1:4). - Precious Death Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints (Psalm 116:15). When it comes to food for our minds, we need to choose our diet of carefully. We need to discern what the best mix of ration for our minds is. We need to think about kingdom things. We need to focus our eyes on Jesus and God and His grace. We have so much information available to us today from the radio, TV, videos, newspapers, magazines, books, computers, the Internet. God tells us to use these technologies to
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Is Purity Possible? get in touch with what is true and beautiful and precious for our spiritual growth. But why is it so important to fill your mind with good things? It is because you are what you think. You see, our thoughts and desires never remain as simply thoughts and desires. They eventually become reality. There comes a time when we live them out, we act on them until we become them. What happens, for instance, if you fill your mind with thoughts of money? Chances are very high that you will become greedy and materialist. What happens if you fill your mind with the notion guns and violence? Chances are that you will use violence on those around you. Likewise, what happens if you fill your mind with what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy? Im sure you get the drift. It is impossible for you to have the fullness of Christ and fail to live and talk the way He did. Fill your mind with godly thoughts and desires and you will be more of the kind of person
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Focus On The Pure God wants you and created you to be and saved you to be. The question then is how do we begin the life of pure thinking? The Bible is the first place to start. Where can we find anything more true, more noble and precious than in the words breathed by God Himself? Where can we find anything more lovely than the in Lords love letter to us as He tells us about mercy, grace and salvation? Where can we find anything more admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy than in the kingdom parables and teachings of Jesus? This makes me think of what David, wrote in Psalms 19:7-11 to describe the Word of God: The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold,
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Is Purity Possible? than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. According to the psalmist, in the Word of God we find whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. If we want to be spiritually correct in our minds, if we want to feed our minds with things that make us more like Jesus and pass on faith to the next generation, do you know what we have to do? We have to spend time with the sweet, precious Word of God. We need to read it daily. We need to think about it constantly. We need to so immerse ourselves in the word that we cant go anywhere and cant do anything without being aware of God and thinking of His Word. Look for good inspirational books. Dont just avoid rotten books and that be it. Read good ones also! Drink in stories and poems and ideas that stretch your mind and lift your spirit leaving you blessed. Take the same approach to TV and movies. There is plenty of bad shows we need to avoid, but there are also some good ones,
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Focus On The Pure those that tell a good story and inspire noble ideals or are simply a delight to watch. For those with computers and a modem, you need to steer clear of pornography. But you can also use them to discover amazing things about Gods wonderful and mysterious world. The same goes for music: tune out of bad stations, and get rid of videos and CDs that play any music that is degrading. You will do well to dump Snoop Dogs videos; he does not leave me blessed. But listen to music that stirs the soul and helps you to praise God.

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Is Purity Possible?

Modesty is humility expressed in dress, a desire to serve others, neither promoting nor provoking sensuality or lust.

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The Modesty Issue

The extent of immodesty in our culture is shocking. Many men and women have long since become comfortable appearing in public in various states of undress. Many preachers will not preach on modesty or, if they do, they say little in terms of what should or should not be worn by Gods people. Some will even take issue with those who try to speak plainly on such things. Let me state here that, it is possible to dress stylishly while being modest, although it is hard sometimes. We need to realize that, how we dress affects how we represent Christ. I dont believe that modesty means you have to wear dresses down to your ankles or collars up to your neck- you can be stylish- and still be a
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Is Purity Possible? good Christian. We need to be careful to make sure our clothes dont cause others to stumble. Listen to me young Christian ladies! Commitment to modesty is reflective of your love for Christ. See what the bible says in 1Timothy 2:36: This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. The cause of the gospel is our motivation for dressing modestly. A woman who loves the Lord avoids immodesty because she doesnt want to distract others and reflect the gospel poorly. Sisters, you have a mission. Brothers, you have a mission not only to preach Christ, but to live in a way that is consistent with our profession of faith. For how can we preach the good news of the transforming work of our Savior if our dress does not reflect His power at work in us? May there be no contradiction between our gospel message and the
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Modesty clothes we wear. May our modest dress be a witness to the One who gave Himself as a ransom for all. The book of proverbs warns men about flirtatious women who tempt men to sin. As someone rightly said, Modesty is humility expressed in dress, a desire to serve others, neither promoting nor provoking sensuality or lust. Modesty is rooted in a desire to lose all consideration of self and live hidden behind the cross of Christ. Yes, we need to examine our wardrobes. Sisters, let us walk among sinful men in a manner that seeks to protect them from temptation. Let us serve our brothers through modest clothing. Why do I make such a big deal about modesty? Is it because I am conservative or that I have a strict moral code? Is it because I have personal preferences about how women should dress? The answer is No. The reason I put a lot of emphasis on modesty is the gospel. Modesty is important because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is why Paul is concerned about
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Is Purity Possible? modesty and that is why we should be concerned about modesty as well. For when we take a broader look at 1Timothy 2, we discover that these instructions about womens dress are set in the context of the gospel. Concerning the bible reference in 1Timothy 2:3-6 above, John Stott says, Pauls over-riding concern was that the way Christians deported themselves would not detract from but enhance their gospel mission. We have a gospel mission not only to preach Christ but also to live in a way that is consistent with our profession of faith. Indeed, how can we preach the good news of the transforming work of our Savior if our dress does not reflect His power at work in us? That is the big deal about modesty. Ladies, please dont forget to apply these principles of modesty to formal events and weddings. In recent years, I have become increasingly concerned about the trend of immodest dresses adorned by both brides and bridesmaids during weddings. I have observed a number of young ladies who have dressed politely all their lives appearing in extremely
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Modesty provocative dresses on wedding days, exposing more of their flesh that day than on any other day of their lives. I appreciate that these young women have the best intentions at heart. I dont think that they go to the bridal shops determined to buy something provocative. No doubt, they just want a dress that would be elegant during the one occasion that they have dreamed about all their lives. However, the discomfort and dismay of bearing with thighrevealing, low-hemmed mini dresses with outrageous slits, or breast-revealing tops is something we need to talk about. Men especially are on a perpetual fight against images that seek to indulge their minds in tempting thoughts. I have since realized that when brides set out on an expedition to find wedding dresses, they are often in the company of females mothers, sisters or acquaintances of like mind. Quite naturally, they hope to appeal to each others taste for something fashionable, striking and yes sexy. Isnt that what most modern women like?
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Is Purity Possible? Unfortunately, they hardly consult the opinion of male company nor is masculine judgment provided by the attendants in these shops. At the risk of appearing radical, I would like to make a proposal to the ladies. Why not take your father with you to the wedding boutique? If that thought is just too much for you or your Dad, at least consider taking the dress out on approval and allowing your dad to see it before you make your final purchase. If after his opinion you still feel confident, it is probably okay to take the gown. I have found a paradox, that if I love until it hurts, then there is no more hurt, but only more love. - Mother Teresa -

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Modesty

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When a person lusts after you, the main interest is to derive sexual excitement.

Is It Love or Lust?
Love speaks of purity in a relationship because love is pure. Although often confused with love, lust is actually the opposite of love. Lust is a fruit of the flesh while love is the fruit of the spirit. No spring can emit water that is both sweet and bitter at the same time. Love and lust cannot emanate from the same inspiration. The question asked by many young people and especially those in relationships that involve the opposite sex is, How can one know the difference between love and lust? The line between this angel called Love and the devil called Lust is so thin; most people have died without understanding which one they served. Lust is the craving, appetite, or great desire expressed by one person for another
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Is Purity Possible? when the main goal is sexual satisfaction rather than a concern for the greater well-being. Love is the feeling of romance as well as sexual attraction for someone who is important to you. Love embraces a person as a whole entity. You miss someone you love if you havent met in a long time. You care about the things he or she likes or dislikes. You want that person to be happy. When a person lusts after you, the main interest is to derive sexual excitement. They care less care about your other concerns in life: how you feels, the plight of your family, your lifes goals or your value system. They dont show much interest in what you do for a living, your hobbies or who your friends are. They are generally insensitive about your likes or dislikes. Their single goal is to get you into some kind of privacy that will make it advantageous for sex to occur. Sexual obsession is one of the worlds greatest pains; it is actually deeprooted in the lives of people, including some children of the Kingdom. They have become addicted to the highs of sexual experience. They are controlled by the need for gratification that leaves them
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Is It Love or Lust? wanting more because they never get fulfilled. As such, they not only hurt themselves but they also hurt everyone their lust gives them opportunity to exploit. As someone rightly said, hurting people hurt people. That is exactly what lust does; it puts a knife on our hands against those we claim to love. On the other hand, love values the privilege of having been allowed to know someone with such intimacy. It is characterized by mutual respect, commitment, self-sacrifice and a shared life. As such, the couple can gladly experience joys, sorrows and challenges of life together. Tragically, these things spell boredom to people who luster. The lustful are not prepared to meet the demands that love makes. They do not want to become involved in any way other than on a purely physical level. Conforming to godly standards of morality is the only route to happiness and sexual fulfillment without the guilt, without the shame, without the selfreproach that characterizes lust. You just cant go wrong with God. It is practically impossible to understand the true nature of love without looking at the New Testaments explanation. 1 Corinthians
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Is Purity Possible? 13:4-5 says Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not focus on self, but on others. Each of the qualities of love in (1 Corinthians 13:45) is based upon an affectionate, compassionate, and forgiving attitude that regards others as being valuable and not just placing value on personal desires. No wonder the old saying goes, The middle of sin is a big I! When I become more important than the other person, and what I want and what I win is more significant than what someone else truly needs, then I have lost my way and do not display the love of Christ. Sin is an I problem because it is about selfishness. Sin puts self above all else. Sin is an I problem because it removes God from the throne of your heart and makes you the Lord of your life. That is why selfless relationships lead to happiness, while a self-centered life leads to loneliness and alienation. It is our nature as human beings to want to be part of a whole, to live in a context where personal relationships are supportive and close.
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Is It Love or Lust? Dwelling on ourselves builds a wall between us and others. Those who keep thinking about their needs, their wants, their plans and only their ideas cannot help becoming lonely and insecure. The simple but effective technique I recommend is to learn to put other people first beginning with our close friends and family members, where there is already a basis of love. For example, when husband and wife try to put each other first, they are not only moving closer to each other. They are also removing the barriers of their ego prison, and that deepens their relationship with the rest of the people around them. It is important to remember here that putting others first does not mean making yourself a doormat or saying yes to whatever others want. It means putting the other persons welfare before your own personal desires. That is what love is: you consider the other persons welfare as important as your own and love often requires a great deal of saying no to self. When we put others first, we deepen our own security and dramatically enrich our relationships.

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God has kept for Himself a remnant - a generation that has not bowed to the god of this earth.

6
Developing A Passion for Purity
Im against sin. Ill kick it as long as Ive got a foot, and Ill fight it as long as Ive got a fist. Ill butt it as long as Ive got a head, and Ill bite it as long as Ive got a tooth. And when Im old and fistless and footless and toothless, Ill gum it till I go to glory and it goes to hell! - Billy Sunday Our generation is saturated with sex. The young people are bombarded with erotic stimuli left right and centre. Sexual promiscuity is openly portrayed on television and on the Internet. The level of sexual perversion that our society has come to accept without blushing is alarming.
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Is Purity Possible? The result of this confused sexuality is a sexually confused generation. What we have now is a generation that lacks moral convictions, and we need to recognize that Christians are not immune to the moral relativism that pervades the modern society. Sex was created to be a powerful positive force for enriching marital commitment. But outside the bond of marriage, sex can be a powerfully destructive force. The consequences of a sex-sick society can be shattering, equally for the individuals who perpetrate the vice and for the society that tolerates it. We must be honest with ourselves many Christians are poorly informed about their ability to withstand sexual temptation. We dont realize that a simple gaze at a pornography magazine can lead to a great bondage that may cost us our career, marriage, future and even our faith. Many young people have learnt the destructive consequences of sexual sin through the hard way. When you take the first step, the appetite for sexual sin grows more and more. It is an insatiable and destructive force. Sexual sin begins with just a gaze then a downward spiral toward the eventual destruction of ones life. God has placed strict emphasis on sexual responsibility, not so that He can squelch our
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Developing A Passion for Purity fun, but because sex has deep implications. Sex is not something to be taken lightly, and this true of all sex not just premarital sex. When a man has intercourse with a woman, their exposure and vulnerability registers deeply in every corner of their being. As such, the victims of premarital sex carry along with them the emotional baggage and guilt of sexual immorality. That often affects how they relate with their partners for the rest of their lives. What was once expected to be a wonderful experience full of pleasure turns out to be a mysterious monster that leaves you feeling dirty, used, empty and guilty. Ounce the spark is gone and you are no longer the same person, you realize you have just connected yourself to a pain that wont go away the rest of your life. That is not Gods will for His children. Gods way is not designed to restrict, but to prevent hurt, pain and grief. It both protects us from the negative repercussions of lust and provides our deepest longings for love and fulfillment. Someone asked an old-time preacher about which group of Christians will be taken up when Jesus returns to earth. His eyes twinkled as he replied, Those who are taken up with Him
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Is Purity Possible? now. God is raising up an end time generation of young people who are completely sold out and taken up with Him. Josiah was eight years old when he became king; he reigned in Jerusalem for thirtyone years. The Bible says in 2 Kings 22:1-2 that He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left. From being a young child of eight until the end of his reign at thirty-nine years of age, God used Josiah throughout his life to pursue and promote purity. Josiah was called from an early age to reign and rule as a Kingdom ambassador for God one who ushered in a re-birth of purity among Gods people. Josiah was a young king reigning on the throne as king of Judah. God used him to voice a prophetic message of Gods Holiness, a move that effected change in the church and the nation. God is seeking such young people to step out at such a time as this when purity is a word that has been relegated to a mere vocabulary in the dictionary. Today, Josiah represents those who will be used by God to usher in purity, holiness, and the fear of the Lord by making the right choices.
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Developing A Passion for Purity The end-time revival is a holiness revival and the Lord is already raising up a Josiah type of generation who will be freedom fighters for holiness. This kind of remnant is not ashamed of the message of the gospel and loves the Lord with all their heart, strength, and mind. On account of purity, the bible puts Josiah on a class of his own among all the kings who reigned in Israel. In 2Kings 23:25, it says: Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses. And here is the reason why. In 2Kings 4:7, we read that Josiah did away with pagan priests and ground the Asherah poles to dust. He tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes, which were in the Lords temple, and also where the women wove for Asherah. This young mans heart was burning with a passion for purity as he took a bond step of removing from the Lords temple the things that were idolatrous and impure. God is seeking for a generation that will forsake all other gods and seek His face with
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Is Purity Possible? undivided hearts. Gods desire is to purify you and cleanse you by His blood. He desires to see a generation that will shun spiritual prostitution and discard all detestable practices and ungodly influences from their lives. These are the kind of people who take delight in spending time in Gods presence, in prayer, in fasting and in studying Gods Word. Our culture is well known for spiritual prostitution; sin has been re-branded and given nice names that only promote it. For instance, drunkenness is now called chemical dependence; greed is now referred to as an eating disorder; wickedness is now a weakness. When young people engage in premarital sex, they are simply said to be sexually active. We are tempted to ask the biblical question, will the Son of God find faith in this generation? Priorities have changed dramatically. We put other things before Christ rather than making the Lord our priority. We seek to impress man more than we seek to serve and bless the Lord. Nevertheless, God has kept for Himself a remnant that has not bowed to the god of this earth. There is a breed of young people who are not ready to settle for anything that belittles their faith or corrupts their minds. It is the kind
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Developing A Passion for Purity of people who go to church not to be exited but to see their lives transformed the kind that cant stand sin. Let us turn our backs against everything that is ugly, ordinary, temporal, unclean and useless, and let us turn towards our Lord in remembrance for what he has done. Let us endeavour to make our soul a place where the Holy Spirit will desire to live. Let us sweep it and garnish it, and protect it, so that the Holy Spirit may desire to keep our conscience alive. And let us have this desire springing up within us, changing us, making us more than conquerors. May God help us to desire Him more. Christ said, If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink, and He said, Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. The Apostle John tells us that this refers to the Holy Spirit, Who was not yet given, but He was prophesying of what would happen when the Spirit comes. The Holy Spirit is available to us, if we thirst. He represents the refreshing feeling of abundant water, cool water or fresh water. The water that is available to us is not water from a
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Is Purity Possible? cistern but water from a living spring is; but only if we thirst. If we dont thirst, then the water that we partake of is flat, lifeless, and tepid. We must thirst for Him. As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. This putting on is our action, our desire, our continual living in Christ. May it be that we will truly live as Christians. The Spirit makes it possible. Its all there for us. Abundant grace is present to enable us yearn and live for God. We can only have this grace if we thirst. To the extent that we thirst for things that are not godly, and that distract us, to that extent we will never have access to this living water. Ephesians 5:3 says, There should not be even a hint of sexual immorality. Boy, those words cut right to the heart of the matter. At no time will this area not be a battlefield of temptation especially for a young person. Sexual sin devastates at least two people each time lines are crossed; leading two down a path away from the holy life to which we are called. 1Corinthians 6:19-20 says, But your body is the temple of God. You have no right to pervert and misuse your body because you have been purchased at a price; therefore you are to
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Developing A Passion for Purity glorify God in your body. You do not belong to yourself but to God. In 1Thessalonians 4:1-8, we see that Christian holiness requires total abstinence from sexual immorality. The Thessalonians were congratulated on their faith in 1:3, but this did not mean that there was no occasional misbehaviour in the church. Purity requires us to learn to control our bodies. Believers are obligated to a higher standard, not to give in to passionate, wanton lust. Sexual sin is not something you cure or prevent by just offering up prayer and quoting a few scriptures. When I encounter someone struggling with pornography or any other sexual sin, I dont just throw a few verses, and say have faith nor do I rebuke the devil in Jesus name and leave it at that. The party involved must be willing to replace the sexual desires with the desire for purity and holy living. Remember the idea is not to suppress the sexual desire but to replace it with the desire for purity. We dont seek to suppress the sexual desire; that only leads to more trouble. The solution is in choosing the way of purity. Living a life of purity is a choice; it is self-control in the practical sense.
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Self-control is only achieved where the appetite that has tried to rule us has now been replaced with the life of Christ.

Practicing Self Control

On a very practical note, how do we live a life of self-control? We know we ought to live a life of self-control; but for the most part, we dont know how to go about it. Before we plunge right in, let us be sure we know what were talking about here. It is not merely the curbing of a bad habit; it is not merely abstaining from doing something. It involves God by His Spirit doing a work in your life. Self control is not simply a matter of not doing; its not what I dont do. That is legalism Dont do this; Dont do that; I dont do this; I dont go here that is the way of legalism. Not is the way of works it is all about deeds. Legalists think, Because I do NOT do that, I must be acceptable to God.
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Is Purity Possible? Now, that is not real self-control. Legalism would imply that a rule has been forced on me from the outside and that rule keeps my appetites and desires in check. There is a lot of preaching among the youth about having self-control and that is all right. But we need to understand that self control is a result of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. As such, self-control is not just a curbing of habits. Self-control is only achieved where the appetite that has tried to take over and rule us has now been replaced with the life of Christ. That way, the bad habit is not only restrained; it is replaced. It is replaced by the Holy Spirit working within us to produce the very life of Jesus. Ephesians 5:18 says, Be not drunk with wine however it does not end there it says, but be filled with the Holy Spirit. Its not saying only, dont get drunk; many people dont get drunk but they dont have the fullness of the Spirit either. Many of people in the church are simply just Mr. Or Mrs. NOT. Poor creatures, they just stop at Dont. They dont do this; they dont do that; they just dont. Yes you guessed right,
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Practicing Self Control they are probably the most boring people in the world they just dont. It is almost as if youd have liked them better before they became Christians. To them being a Christian is just a life donts. At least before they were Christians there was something to them, but now they have reduced themselves to a state of nothingness they just dont! That is not real self-control. A Christian with self-control as a fruit of the Spirit will experience the exciting dynamic life of Jesus Christ. I have a feeling you understand what I am driving at. Keep reading. Self-control is something that arises from within. People who have self-control make choices because they have chosen to. They do things because they have a desire to please and live for the Lord. They choose purity because they want to please God. Listen, young Christian men: Gods word says in 1Corinthians 7:1, It is good for a man not to touch a woman. This is not talking about shaking hands. Its not talking about a little tap on the shoulder. No, this passage is talking about the unmarried man touching someone in a way that only a married man should touch his
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Is Purity Possible? wife. In other words, you are not supposed to start a fire you have no right to put off. 1Thessalonians 4:3-5 says, It is Gods will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honourable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God. body. Sexual purity begins in the mind, not the

Proverbs 23:7 says, As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. We read in Matthew 15:19-20: For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality . . . But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28). There is a rule in computer terminology that is abbreviated GIGO - Garbage In, Garbage Out. This rule states that if you feed in garbage into the computer, you should expect garbage as the output. Your mind operates a similar GIGO rule Godliness In, Godliness Out. Basically, your cognition is related to your behavior you
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Practicing Self Control become what you choose to feed your mind on. Am sure youve heard the saying, Sow a thought, reap an action; Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny. Your future can be accurately predicted by what you allow your mind to dwell on today. Sinful actions dont come out of nowhere they are the cumulative product of little moral compromises made over time, which ultimately culminate in ungodly behavior. There is nothing new about sexual temptation the only new thing is the manner in which negative sexuality has pervaded our society. We live in a technological Corinth, where immorality avails itself through airwaves (Television) and modems (the Internet). Most of us are only a few push-buttons away from sexual immorality of the mind. Every choice we make to view and contemplate immorality desensitizes us to its evil. Actions, habits, character and destiny all start with a thought; thoughts on the other hand are fostered by what we choose to take into our
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Is Purity Possible? minds. Therefore, we should take extreme care about what we feed our minds on. We are commanded in Proverbs 4:23, Above all else, guard your heart [mind, inner being], for it is the wellspring of life. If someone wants to pollute water, he pollutes it at its source. If he wants to purify water, he purifies it at its source. Our thoughts are the source of our lives. All our lives flow from our mind, and through the choices we make every day we program our minds, either for godliness or ungodliness. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. - Psalm 119:37 We cant avoid every temptation, but we can avoid many of them, and we can certainly resist their influence over us. Like Martin Luther said, You cant keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from making a nest in your hair. Be careful what you expose your mind to. Dont go to rest in the kitchen of a five star hotel while on a diet. If you do, your resistance will break down. If you want to abstain from lust, you dont go places and watch movies and programs or read things that stimulate lust.
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Practicing Self Control Your body will go where your mind allows it. When it comes to your sexual purity, the ultimate battle is in your mind. Dont give your mind junk food. Be sure youre getting proper spiritual nutrition. Since God doesnt want you to have premarital sex, neither does he want you to do that which prepares your body for premarital sex. How far is too far? is a common question among the young people, but it is not a wise question. The askers of this question essentially want to know, How close can I get to disobeying God without actually doing it? When God made the body and the mind, he ensured that the drive for sex was intact. Whenever that drive is aroused, the process is designed to move towards a climax. This is a simple fact of life that no one should be nave about. Caressing each other in sexually stimulating ways is foreplay, and foreplay is designed by God to culminate in sexual intercourse. Since intercourse is forbidden outside marriage, so is foreplay. Since sexual intercourse before marriage is wrong, it is also wrong to engage in activity that propels mind and body toward sexual intercourse.
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Is Purity Possible? That is why 2Timothy 2:22 says, 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. There is a dimension of physical contact that begins with things like sitting close and holding hands. In between talks and fellowship between young people of the opposite sex, there might be a temptation to put ones arm around the shoulder, a brief hug, a kiss on the cheek, a kiss on the mouth, a longer hug, prolonged kissing and then...you know the rest. Scripture does not spell out exactly what intermediate behavior is permissible, but one thing is certain the line must be drawn before either of you becomes sexually stimulated. This means that fondling or anything else that results in a turnon is forbidden for Gods children like you. It helps a lot to keep off such acts or possibly to flee if cornered. If one of you begins to be stimulated even by an apparently innocent physical contact, then both of you should back off immediately. It is stupid to hold on in a canoe headed towards a waterfall. It is even more nave to begin to reason out your feelings and justify them. At the time you are beginning to be turned on, you must know the direction of the door and flee. That
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Practicing Self Control is not the time to begin to claim Gods promises for you or to speak in tongues of angels; it is time for flight. Some Christians pray for God to protect their purity, and then willfully put themselves into temptation. Afterwards they wonder why God did not answer their prayer. No matter how fervently you pray that you will not fall into immorality, you will fall if you continue to make choices that feed your temptation towards immorality. Once you allow your body to cross the line, it will neither know nor care about your Christian convictions. Engaging in sex outside marriage is selfdestructive in every sense. You dont keep sexual purity just for God, or to avoid hurting others, but for your own good. If you have sexual intimacy with someone outside marriage, you are stealing from God and the other person. Your partner belongs to God, not to you, which means you are borrowing this person for the evening. Be careful what you do with what doesnt belong to you. You will be held accountable to his or her Owner. God has your best interests in mind when He tells you not to have premarital sex. Sex is not just something you do sex is someone you
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Is Purity Possible? are. It is linked to the welfare of your whole person. Many young people may say that sex is the reason they go out on a date. To think of a date without sex seems dumb to them. However, Jesus said in Luke 16:15, the things most people think are important are worthless as far as God is concerned. There are beneficial things you can do with your date, but whatever you do, dont engage in sex before marriage. When sex enters a relationship, it becomes the focus of action. It often excludes activities that would give a broader range of mental and physical stimulation. You can study the scriptures and pray together. You can go to an amusement park and enjoy fun games. You can visit friends or mentor couples. You can go to a museum or arts exhibition. You can attend daytime concerts, prayer meetings or book launches. You can go to a college field and play tennis or volleyball or jog together. You can carry a pack of chess, scrabble or drafts and play in an open park. The scope of healthy things you can do together is endless.
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Practicing Self Control While at it, you can engage your minds in meaningful talk. You can gauge your partners knowledge of current affairs, technical subjects or bible knowledge. You can check each others convictions about topical matters like politics, crime, abortion, drug abuse, prostitution, latest trends in fashion, music or the Internet. You can talk about your dreams in life education, careers and business or ministry. You can compare your upbringing experiences, lessons you learnt and achievements or regrets you incurred in your family. You feel better after the date no worry, no guilt, no fear. You look forward to meeting your date next time to pick up where you stopped, because dating lovers never finish talking. Ephesians 5:3 But among you there must be not even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for Gods holy people. Its not about, How far can I go and still technically be a virgin? but How close can I get to Gods standard of absolute purity? We may or may not actually be virgins, but all of us can make the commitment to save sex for
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Is Purity Possible? marriage from here on, realizing that God offers full and complete forgiveness for past mistakes if we ask Him according to I John 1:9. When we do that, the fruit of self-control we have developed while dating or during courtship will abide on to our marriage years. We become an example to others who struggle with sexual temptations. Above all, we uphold Gods righteous standards and prove to the world that Gods demands for purity are not unrealistic but are meant for our own good.

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The Virgin Marys Testimony (Luke 1:26-27)

The Angels announcement took place six months after Elizabeths pregnancy with John the Baptist. Mary lived in the village of Nazareth, in the hilly area southwest of the Sea of Galilee. Were also told that Mary was a virgin, betrothed but not yet married. This gives us some clues about her age, since we know that young women were usually betrothed at age twelve to twelve-and-a-half a full year before the actual marriage ceremony took place. Mary was probably a very young teenager when God spoke to her. Sometimes we discount the spiritual lives of young teens as immature, but God takes them very seriously. Gabriel, the mighty angel, came with words that were so grand and magnanimous
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Is Purity Possible? that they suited an appearance before royalty rather than a Nazareth teenage girl: Greetings, you who are highly favored! Greetings (NIV, NRSV) or hail is a formalized greeting wishing one well, not uncommon in the New Testament. But calling her highly favored is powerful praise. The Lord is with you are the same words the angel of the Lord spoke to Gideon in Judges 6:12. If you were a teenager and heard an angel speak these words to you about you, wouldnt you be speechless? Luke says that Mary was greatly troubled. The Greek word is diatarasso, which means to confuse or perplex. Then Gabriel countered Mary with the words Do not be afraid, Mary. The Wonder in Marys Mind (Luke 1:34) What fascinates me is Marys inner life. I imagine that Marys head was spinning by this time. Although Im sure she didnt take time to examine in detail the angels announcement, she was shocked by the pronouncement, You will be with child... Now, that prompted her to question the angel. Some people say we shouldnt question God, but Mary did. She asked How?
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The Virgin Marys Testimony Questions cause us to grow and learn. Questions stretch our minds and hearts and increase our understanding. Questions and the exploration for their answers contribute to our faith, even if the questions themselves remain unanswered. Ive noticed that Zechariah asked the same angel the same question that Mary asked, yet Mary was rewarded whereas Zechariah was punished. The reason is that Marys question arose from faith, not doubt. Conceived by the Holy Spirit (1:35) The angel responded to her sincere question by elaborating a bit on the how: The angel answered in Luke 1:35, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God The angel explains delicately that the Holy Spirit will come upon you not in a sexual way but in the same way as the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost (see Acts 1:8). The purpose of the Holy Spirits coming is, so that the holy one may be born in us. This is
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Is Purity Possible? the mystery of the incarnation when the divine is joined with the human. Mary was of course human, but her child Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit, was Holy in the same sense that God himself is holy. Whats more, this human-divine child would be called the Son of God. Nothing is Impossible with God (1:36-37) After explaining that Marys Child would be holy and divine, the angel let Mary in on a family secret. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:36-37). Do you know your spiritual family secret? You will do well to understand that you are not alone. God has set apart many people with the same passion for purity as you. Like Abrahams wife Sarah, Elizabeth, Marys elderly relative was well beyond menopause. All her life she had been called barren. That was until God decided to do a
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The Virgin Marys Testimony miracle. And so Elizabeths child, John the Baptist, became that miracle baby. The angel told Mary: Elizabeth, your cousin, is already six months pregnant, by the way. And then he concluded, For nothing is impossible with God! Nothing! It is a fact that post-menopausal women and virgins dont become pregnant ever! But our experience of nature doesnt tie Gods hands. By definition, thats what a miracle is. The virgin birth is impossible to man, but not to God. The angels declaration to Mary is similar to such other declarations throughout the Bible, beginning with the Angel of the Lords announcement to Abraham that he would have a son when he was 99 and Sarah 90. Is anything too hard for the LORD? (Genesis 18:14) 11:23) Is the LORDs arm too short? (Numbers

Nothing is too hard for you. (Jeremiah 32:17, 27) There is absolutely no trace of impossibility in God. Zechariah 8:6 NRSV
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Is Purity Possible? says, Even though it seems impossible to the remnant of this people in these days, should it also seem impossible to me, says the Lord of hosts? Even in a wicked and perverse generation, purity is possible. With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26 = Mark 10:27 = Luke 18:27) I am the Lords servant, Mary answered. May it be to me as you have said. Then the angel left her. (Luke1:38). Here was a teenager facing unprecedented misunderstanding and rejection from her family, her fianc and her classmates. For a girl like Mary to bear a child out of wedlock in those days, the punishment was as grave as stoning (Deuteronomy 22:22-24). Yet she granted the predictions of the angel. Even before Jesus was conceived, Mary was faced with the decision: Will I obey and make way for this King, or will I take the easy way that avoids difficulty and pain? To her everlasting credit, Marys response of faith is what our response must be: I am the Lords servant. May it be to me as you have said.
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The Virgin Marys Testimony We are in essence Gods servants in our capacities. As a young person, you serve God by remaining pure until marriage. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Of course, Marys story doesnt end there. Soon after the angels visit, Mary traveled to visit her expectant relative Elizabeth in the Judean hill country, several days journey south of Nazareth. When she arrived, Elizabeths baby kicked hard, and Elizabeth spoke prophetically about Mary. That is why if you are seeking to obey God in the area of purity, you need to seek people with the same passion. You need an Elizabeth in your life who will tell you I feel you. In Mary we see an amazing young teenager who was entrusted by God to bear his Son and mother him through his growing-up years. Though she didnt know all the future, she responded, I am the Lords servant. No wonder the Church holds her in highest esteem to this day. My prayer is that you and I will be ready to respond with that same submitted willingness to Gods call to purity. If God is for us, who can be against us. Romans 8:31, NIV.
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Is Purity Possible? It is God who gives us the power to obey Him. And again, sex is neither an emergency nor a necessity. Sex is not food without which you will die; it is not water so you can say you have no strength to do anything else for lack of sex. Furthermore, Christ has given us the resources to resist every temptation: God has made available a special grace to resist sexual temptation according to Titus 2:12: The grace of God teaches us to say No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. In 2Peter 1:3-4, we learn that God has actually made provisions for us through His precious promises to escape the lustful snares of this world so that we can succeed to live for Him: His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

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The Virgin Marys Testimony Finally, in Galatians 6:7-9, we are warned and implored not to give up in our quest to live a life devoid of lustful impurities: Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. You will always reap what you sow whether good or bad, the naked truth is that, -you will always harvest the consequences of your choices no matter how smart you are.

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Purity Testimonies by Young People

Owing to the stigmatic nature of disclosure about sexual information in our society, the testimonies that follow will suffice to remain unsigned. These are accounts of real young people whom Ive been privileged to interact with as a youth pastor. We have prayed with them and encouraged them through their various experiences to anchor their hope in God as they endeavour to live a life of purity.

I had sex with my boyfriend all of last year because I thought its simply what you do when you love someone. I enjoyed it at first. He is the one I want to marry, but sex was starting to destroy us. I developed deep psychological
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Is Purity Possible? problems, anxiety and stomach pains due to constant fear of pregnancy. I had low self-esteem, and kept imagining what I would do if I became pregnant. I became paranoid, thus causing my boyfriend and me to fight constantly. However, my boyfriend and I have decided never to be deceived by a shortterm pleasure that can cost our relationship and future, therefore we are going to wait until marriage. The devil is a liar!

I am 18 years old turning 19 in a couple of months and most certainly a virgin. I made a commitment to God that I would save myself for my lifetime partner. God has a purpose and plan for my life and I want to honour him by keeping my body pure. I am aware that it is going to be a challenge at times because there is always the devils temptation. But God is good, faithful and true. Sex is supposed to be something that brings a married couple who are in love together in a phenomenal way that is beyond this universe. Wouldnt it therefore be sentimental to wait? I have seen the damage that sex has done to two of
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Purity Testimonies by Young People my close friends along with many people. Thus, I have made a commitment to myself to wait for the man who will be my best friend, lover, soul mate and lifetime partner. I want to be able to give my husband not only my body but also my mind, emotions and spirit. I also want him to be the only man on the face of the earth to whom I will give my virginity. It hurts me when I see countless young people nowadays just giving away their virginity to every Tom, Dick and Harry without thoughtful consideration. There is absolutely no reason to nail Christ to the cross again for a few minutes of dirty pleasure when I can wait for my husband with whom I can share a lifetime of pleasures that is exactly the way God intended for it to be. I shall not do such a wicked thing as to sin against my God.

Having premarital sex was the most horrifying experience of my life. It wasnt at all the emotionally satisfying experience the world deceived me into believing. I felt empty and naked; I was stinking evil even after the shower. Nothing could wash away my guilt and sin. Thank God for his blood, I never knew the
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Is Purity Possible? significance of the blood of Jesus until I reached this point What could wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. I know God has pardoned me of this haunting sin, but I also know I can never have my virginity back. I dread the day that I will have to tell the man I truly love and wish to marry that he is not the first one, though I wish he were. I have stained my life a stain that will never come out. I am trusting God to walk with me everyday, and restore to me the joy of salvation.

After youve done it, youre really attached to that guy. Its as if hes your life; you feel really vulnerable. When the relationship ended, I felt really awful. I cant describe it. About a week after we had sex, we broke up because I found out he was dating other girls. It really hurt.

At the beginning of this year, I had a friend. My friend and I would talk forever. We became so close that our feelings developed into more romance than just a friendship. We started
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Purity Testimonies by Young People dating, and one thing led to another. I often wondered how far was too far, but I had decided I could stop whenever I wanted to. Whenever I was at his house, we would always go to his bedroom to be alone. He had such a large family that his room was the only place we could talk. Innocently, we would sit on his bed. After we started dating, it was harder to just sit there with each other. Kissing came first, and we found it harder and harder to stop there. Even after we became involved in heavy petting, I still believed I could stop before we actually did it. After a few months of this, I found that I didnt want to stop. Then one night it happened we had sex. It was worse than I could even imagine. I felt dirty and very separated from God. I hated myself for doing something Ive grown up believing was so wrong. I had the guiltiest feeling Ive ever had. He walked me to my car and asked me what was wrong. I burst into tears. I told him that I hated it. I never wanted to do it again. Then he told me that he loved me, and the weirdest thing was that I couldnt tell him I loved him back. I had no feelings for him anymore. We sat in front of his house for a long time. We both cried. We knew what we did together was wrong.
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Is Purity Possible? I didnt see him for three weeks because he was out of town. During that time I prayed about it, not knowing what else to do. While we were separated, I realized what a real Christian relationship should be like, and I also realized that the relationship my friend and I had was the total opposite. I learned what was right and reassessed my morals. I asked God for forgiveness and started my life over. I still care for him, but I know if we are to have a relationship, it must be based on God. Now I know that too far doesnt mean only intercourse, but also the stages leading up to it. Too far is when you crave the physical more than the spiritual. Too far is when sexual thoughts take over your relationship. Too far is when you dont want to stop. It can be different for different people; it can be holding hands, kissing, or hugging. With Gods help, I can be pure from this day on.

I lived with my boyfriend for two years before we got married. I knew I was breaking my parents hearts, as well as Gods heart! My boyfriend was not a Christian, but I foolishly
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Purity Testimonies by Young People thought I could change him if we moved in together. However since we failed to follow the ways of God, we realized that we had become too separate and too selfish, making it nearly impossible to become one flesh. The honeymoon was over before the wedding day ever arrived.

I had been dating this girl for about five or six months. She was my first real girlfriend. After a few months, I started testing her and how far she would let me go. She kept letting me do whatever I wanted. Well, I believe we went too far. We never had sex, but it got to the point where all we would do on dates would be caress each other. Since I knew it was wrong, I started becoming very guilty about all that was taking place. We were best friends, and now we only talk every once in a while. It took two years before I could come to terms with what I had gotten myself into. I then realized that I had lost my relationship with God. I asked God to forgive me for what I had done. I remember how at this time of confusion I had many nightmares about
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Is Purity Possible? what I had done to this girl and felt so guilty. I believe it was a learning experience I will never forget.

Last year, I had a Christian boyfriend who meant the world to me. However, things didnt go as planed so we broke up. When we broke up, I was miserable. But what was worse than losing my boyfriend was the horrible realization that a big part of me went with him. We had engaged in sex. I was left with shame, guilt and a broken heart. I felt that nobody could ever love me again. I was afraid of living; I didnt think I had a life at all. I still cant get through a day without thinking about the things we did and feeling horrible about them. Even though I know God has forgiven me, Im still struggling to forgive my boyfriend and myself. I may not forget the pain in a long time. The few minutes of pleasure were definitely not worth a lifetime of guilt. I wish somehow I had been aware of the consequences of my actions before I let my hormones take over. I ignored the teachings of
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Purity Testimonies by Young People the Bible. As a result, I caused grief to myself and God. I want to tell other teenagers its just not worth it. Pregnancy and STDs arent the only risks. Im left longing for real love, but I fear Ill never find it. Im writing in the hope that others wont make the same mistake I did. I got a lot more than I bargained for.

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Purity in Dating Relationships

There is a big difference between what Hollywood calls Love and what God says about Love. First we must understand that we can never walk in love as intended by God unless we become pure in thought, action and speech. Until we live out Gods commands, we will always have dysfunctional relationships. For us to embrace purity in our dating relationships, we must challenge the Hollywood view of love and sexuality, which has clouded our minds. Secondly we must change the way we think about the opposite sex. Gods way is radically distinctive from the worlds way. According to Gods standard,
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Is Purity Possible? sex is sacred and should be treated with honour and respect. Those who are godly must view sex as serious and give no room to treat sex lightly. The reality is that whenever two people have sex, even if it is a fling or a prostitute, the bible says the two become one. Thats how serious sex should be treated. It is a life-uniting activity where two become one. As such, those who cant control their lust end up forming soul ties with other people who are not their life partners. Consequently, when the time comes for them to give love to their rightful partners, they are depleted and have nothing to give. Our bodies were not made for sexual immorality. Never is immorality right. Never is it right to keep a boy close to you by sexual favors. Never is it right to spice up your life by looking at pornography. Never is it right to pursue sexual desires with people of your same sex. We should never express our sexual desires outside of marriage. The order is clear: first, you become a potential and godly spouse; then you get married; and only afterwards do you explore intimate relations.
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Purity in Dating Relations In 1Corinthians 6:14 we realize that our body has been made for a high purpose; it is made for eternity. Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power. Our bodies are dignified creations of God with a higher purpose than just indulging in sensual pleasures. We can see this in the coming resurrection. Those that believe in relativism live for the day. They are not thinking of eternity. They do not know that the body is so precious and must be wisely cared for. The godly however knows that one day God will raise our bodies just as He did Christ. This flesh will put on immortality. We will never die. We will never sin and never even want to sin. If God has put so much value on our bodies by intending to make them anew in the new creation, should we not treat ourselves with holiness? Immortality, not Immorality We belong to Christ, not to ourselves. Listen to what 1 Corinthians 6:15-16 says: Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot?
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Is Purity Possible? May it never be! Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a harlot is one body with her? For He says, The two will become one flesh. When you become a Christian, you give up your right to live by your desires. We must remember that those desires are no good to follow anyway. They enslave us to do evil. The non-Christians are captured by their self-oriented desires. When we come to know the Lord, we set aside all that. We die to it. We now live for Christ. We belong to Christ. Therefore, when we take our bodies and do something evil with them, it is like taking something that belongs to Christ and giving it to a harlot. Even worse, it is intimidating; it is like Christ being part with a harlot. You can see why God will judge such Christians harshly. Judgment upon such people will come quickly. It is like taking Christ and forcing Him to a harlots house and into bed with her. I suppose it is for this reason, that extra guilt inflicts those Christians who fall into sexual sins. Other sins are not as a result of direct compromise with our bodies.
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Purity in Dating Relations Proper sexual relations are sanctified in marriage. God has no problem being part of that table or that bed. However, as soon as we step outside marriage, lusts come into the equation and God gets out of the picture. It is important first to mention that dating is only for people intending to marry. For all the other boys and girls, my advice is, Please socialize, but dont specialize. Enjoy your single-hood! Just because everybody else is doing it doesnt mean you have to. I believe that one can enjoy fun and positive friendships with people of the opposite sex and be involved in all sorts of activities without coupling up with an opposite sex. If youre a committed disciple of Christ, only date someone committed to Christ. By the way, if youre not committed to Christ, why arent you? Just because a person is a Christian doesnt make him or her morally safe as a marriage partner. Lets face it some Christians are still jerks, and a Christian jerk is a jerk all the same.
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Is Purity Possible? A little advice here. When you date someone, dont demand perfection. However, dont settle for anything less than character and godliness. Dont compromise about these qualities if you are born of God. Many young Christians are still contented about a persons outside beauty; some have even gone to the point of thinking that they can actually date non-believers simply because they like them. They do this in the hope that they will convert them to Christ and they can quote all sorts of scriptures to support their attraction. There are many nice people in the faith, who love the lord and who have good marriage qualities. Look for character and strong convictions. However, you cannot look for what you dont have. If you are looking for a woman of substance, make sure you are a man of substance. 1Samuel 16:7 says, The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. Hollywood will tell you that if you need a partner, you look on the physical
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Purity in Dating Relations and emotional attraction. However, Gods formula is different; attraction in God involves the following: Developing an inner character allowing your inner beauty to outshine your outside.

Developing outward modesty The worlds modesty focus on bodies, breasts, biceps, as sources of attraction. However, if we focus on the inner beauty we will attract people who share our qualities and values.

Developing an upward devotion People who are truly attractive in life are those who have a devotional life. Therefore let us fix our eyes on Jesus and seek to please Him with our relationships, not merely with our desires.

Talk, Not Touch; Conversation, Not Contact Many relationships have the notoriety of leading to hurt and hate because of wrong focus by the partners. Many young people are in the habit of concentrating on bodily pleasure through kissing and caressing. Ultimately, they realize that they are not getting satisfied even when they have had sex; their bodies
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Is Purity Possible? just dont seem to put breaks at it they keep demanding more. Dating is a time to explore minds and souls, not bodies. Therefore, treat your date as a subject to listen to, understand and appreciate rather than an object onto which to try out your experiment, conquer or satisfy your desires. Set-ups Set-ups are situations that encourage sexual temptation. They include such scenarios as being alone in a bedroom, on a couch or in a car late at night. Learn not to trust yourself too much. Whatever you do together, try to picture your parents or church leaders watching you through the window. If that would change the way you behave, then realize that you are getting yourself into a set-up. Your life is not as private as you think; its an open book to be seen by a watching world. Most importantly, remember that your relationship with God matters more than anything else you can have. He sees your most secret deeds and even thoughts. You may succeed in hiding away from human attention but not from
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Purity in Dating Relations God. Let us consider an avalanche of scriptures that attest to this fact. Psalm 139:7-10 says, Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. Jeremiah 23:23-24 says, Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? Jeremiah 16:17 says, My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes. Psalm 44:21 God not only sees our actions, he knows our thoughts: He knows the secrets of the heart. Psalm 139:2,4 says, You perceive my thoughts from afar. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. Jeremiah 17:10 says, I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind. With the sons of light, there is no such thing as a private moment. God is never in the
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Is Purity Possible? dark. He is always watching. As an individual you are responsible and accountable to God for what you do. Dont cite someone elses convictions or lack of convictions, or self-control or lack of self-control as sufficient reason for your falling into sin. You are fully responsible for your behavior. If you fall into sexual immorality, you have yourself to blame, not your date. Pointing the finger at someone else doesnt help. As such, you need to write down your convictions about sexual purity and follow them without compromise. Know Who You Are! When you have nothing left but God, then for the first time you become aware that God is enough. Knowing whom you are will help you to determine the type of life you lead, the vision you carry, the faith level you operate at and the challenges you will rise to. What you believe about you is a powerful seed that sets precedence for your future.
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Purity in Dating Relations You are the salt of the earth . . . (Matthew 5:13, NIV). You are the light of the world . . . (Matthew 5:14, NIV). You have been regenerated, born again, born again not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm) but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God (1 Peter 1:23, AMP). To be the salt of the earth and the light of the world is exactly what being an ambassador is all about! Commissioned by the King of the Kingdom Himself! That makes us very special indeed! 2Corinthians 5:120, NIV says, We are therefore Christs ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us . . . The fact that God chose to make your physical body His dwelling place His home or place of residence where He lives right now is something you shouldnt take lightly. 1Corinthians 3:16, NIV, Dont you know that you yourselves are Gods temple and that
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Is Purity Possible? Gods Spirit lives in you? Gods temple is sacred, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV says, Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own: you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body When we know who we are, we carry a vision, a sense of destiny and purpose we know that we not just existing but living to fulfill Gods purpose for our lives. We know we are on a journey, a mission; we have a task to fulfil. That task is bigger than ourselves and we need others (like-minded) to help us fulfil it. When we know who we are, we lead a life of purity because then we understand that He who has called us is pure and holy. Knowing your purpose simplifies your life. It defines what you do and what you dont do. Your purpose becomes the standard you use to evaluate which activities are essential and which arent. If something doesnt help you to fulfil one of Gods purposes for your life, dont waste your time on it. Lack of a clear purpose makes us to make choices based
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Purity in Dating Relations on circumstances, pressures, and mood. 1Thess. 4:7 says, God calls us to purity when He tells us to Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity 1Tim 4:12 NIV says, For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Ten Commandments on Sexual Purity: Here is my rendition of the boundaries within which dating relationships should be handled. These are the convictions every young man and woman needs to have in order to make it safely during the very volatile process of dating. 1. Thou shalt know that Sex is a God-given gift, which is to be enjoyed only within the covenant of marriage where there is commitment, love and trust between a man and woman. 2. No one has perfected the area of sexual purity we all stumble but we have a choice nonetheless. Growing in purity is part of the sanctification process. 3. Believe that Christ can, and will, forgive
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Is Purity Possible? those who sin in this area. Christ gives us a fresh start. 4. Thou shalt understand that God instills a deeper desire for purity as we grow in our faith and walk with Him. 5. Thou shalt receive power to overcome from Christ alone; Christ gives the power to overcome impurity, lust, and temptation. 6. Thou shalt enjoy your single-hood; single Christian life is very fulfilling when lived out for Christ and in purity. 7. Living for Christ will result in a life of purity a deeper relationship with Him, deeper sense of dignity, love for others, greater ability to serve and worship God. 8. 8. When we fall into temptation we have an advocate with the Father the Lord Jesus Christ according to 1 John 2:1 9. Thou shalt not have sex before marriage for sex outside of marriage destroys you and others. 10. You can resolve to remain sexually pure through studying the Word, daily surrender to Christ, accountability to others and prayer. Self-control to attain sexual purity is possible! You can do all things through
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Purity in Dating Relations Christ who shall always be your strength. (Phil. 4:13). These commandments can be understood in the light of the scriptures that follow. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 1Thess 5:8 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word Ps 119:9-11 Finally, brothers, (and sisters) whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Phil 4:8 For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Cor 2:16 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform
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Is Purity Possible? to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy. 1 Peter 1:13-16 These verses teach us that, our minds, choices, heart, behavior must be turned over to Christ. Purity is the result of a life turned over to Christ who changes us from the inside out. If you dont surrender to Christ, you surrender to chaos. E. Stanley Jones In other words, remember that you are human and prone to sin so that you may always rely on Jesus Christ to give you the victory. Set healthy boundaries regarding the opposite sex, places, entertainment, the computer, the TV, etc. In the book Every Mans Battle, Stephen Arteburn and Fred Stoeker talk about knowing your triggers and avoiding their catastrophic effects if possible. Regularly confess and accept Gods grace and forgiveness in Christ. Grow in safe, healthy relationships to fill your longings for connection and love. See purity as a blessing and a calling from God to become more like Him. Make a
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Purity in Dating Relations covenant with God and yourself not to give in to lustful thoughts and desires. How to say No to premarital sex Take a deep breath and say these words, No, I dont want to have sex. If the question arises while you are kissing, stop what you are doing and change the tone of the moment. Emphasize your words with actions. Be prepared for questions and objections. Stay true to yourself and your stated feelings. As someone once said, A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle Calmly explain why you choose abstinence. List all of your reasons be they religious, moral, personal or situational (or any combination of these). Tell the other person how you feel about your relationship in that moment just be honest. If you really love that person, you can still stick to your commitment to abstinence and say so. Tell the other person the depth of your commitment to abstinence. Add that you dont plan to have sex until you are married. There is no reason for you to downplay your commitment to abstinence. In moments like these, honesty
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Is Purity Possible? is an absolute must. If the other person keeps on pressing, say No again. You may have to say this more than once to make your partner realize your seriousness. If that is the case, it may be a sign that you should leave that secret place. Do not try to diffuse the tension with lots of kissing or other physical gestures; this will confuse your message of No. Draw the line firmly and if the other person doesnt appear to be getting it, leave. If they restrain you or intimidate you try to call the police or scream for helpam serious! Dont get together with this person again not in that situation. If you have been raped or the other person continues to harass you, if they are or were coercive, intimidating or blocked your passage press charges or obtain a restraining order of protection from the police. If the other person pulls the old line If you loved me youd have sex with me, reply that the line is too old it actually died a natural death long time ago or reply with If you loved me youd wait. Sex is not a test of your love or feelings for another person and saying
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Purity in Dating Relations No to sex does not mean you have failed to show your love. If you feel uncertain about your ability to stay true to abstinence, leave the room and possibly the relationship. Your initial decision and commitment was to say No and now is not the time to contradict or doubt yourself. Remind yourself that if God meant for you to marry this person you would both agree to remain chaste. Any conflict of values is a sign that this person is not walking in the light and not committed to Christ, and may not be the right person for you after all.

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ABCs of HIV/AIDS

A=Abstain

B=Be faithful

C= Common Sense

An AIDS Generation?
Todays young people are living in the AIDS generation. They have never known a world without HIV and Aids. Millions have already died. Yet the rate of spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic among the youth remains largely invisible to adults and to the young people themselves. Stopping HIV/AIDS requires comprehensive strategies that are youth-friendly. The young people of this 21st century generation hear about AIDS every so often. They hear about sex, condoms and the need for safer sex, yet there is a lot of confusion and misinformation surrounding these issues. As a result, the young population remains the most vulnerable group with regard to HIV/AIDS.
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Is Purity Possible? Admittedly, it is a difficult thing to talk about sex and sexuality. For ages now, these subjects have been treated with suspicion and mistrust by parents, teachers and other caregivers of the youth. Embarrassment and ignorance go hand in hand and many young people end up knowing little from helpful sources regarding sex, sexuality and HIV/AIDS. The little they know is often inaccurate and turns out dangerously. Although the youths are highly invulnerability, many still believe that they can never get infected with HIV even though they are involved in risky behaviour. As a matter of fact, much of what is written on HIV/AIDS is technical and abstract, saying little about the personal experiences of people struggling with the disease sometimes the materials available on this subject are scanty and unreliable and irrelevant, so the young people ignore it. I would like to suggest a way that is tried and tested on how to be practical and relevant with HIV/AIDS information. It is the ABC of dealing with HIV Aids among the youth.
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An Aids Generation There is the common prescription for HIV prevention the ABC where A=Abstain, B=Be faithful and C= Condom. I would like to talk about the best of these three ways of stopping the spread of HIV Aids infection among the youth i.e. Abstinence. However, before I talk about abstinence let me give a superior version of my prescription relating to letter C of the ABC formula. C should stand for Common Sense. Sometimes as young people, we get ourselves into risky behaviour due to lack of common sense which should be common especially among those who are born again. Common sense will tell you when its time to flee, like Joseph. There are times we cant just stand before a tempting situation and begin to argue our feelings. Run for your dear life. Common sense tells you that if someone really loves you, then he or she will wait for you. It tells you that you need to get tested for HIV/AIDS before you get married. Of course, you know that pregnancy can be a physical, financial and emotional strain and even disaster for a young unmarried couple. Common sense will highlight such issues in your mind.
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Is Purity Possible? Some of the sexually transmitted infections are a small nuisance that go away for as long as you have seen a doctor received medication. Others are a major pain for the rest of your life. Still others can keep you from ever having children. Of course, AIDS slowly, painfully and almost certainly will kill you. If you plan on taking chances with STIs, take some time to look into what you can catch, how it will feel and how long it will last. You may change your mind about taking that risk. Condoms DO NOT provide safe sex and they do not prevent pregnancy; they only reduce the probability. The apostle Paul advises us in 1Corinthians 6:18-20, Run away from fornication! Every sin that a person does is outside the body; but he who commits fornication sins against his own body.

Learn from the mistakes of others. You cant live long enough to make them all yours Author unknown

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An Aids Generation

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Purity should be more than just saving sex for marriage. You should make it your way of life.

Make a Priceless Commitment

Were gradually getting used to more and more ungodly and unhealthy stuff, and we dont even realize how gravely ill we are. Even the most committed Christian experiences pressures to trade purityof thoughts, media choices, conversations, and actionsfor popularity. Sexual flirting (with words, the eyes, clothing, and body movement) and sex before marriage are glamorized and presented as the norm. Meanwhile, like lifeguards asleep on the beach, parents have become desensitized to the impact this behavior has on their young people. Purity is much more than just saving sex for marriage. Its a way of life.
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Is Purity Possible? In 1 Timothy 4:1216, the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy, the young preacher, to strive for purity in all areas of his lifein speech, conduct, love, and faithso that Timothys ministry would not be despised by his hearers. Todays generation of young believers desperately needs to be inspired to live pure livesto be a remnant of purity in their generation and bring glory to their Creator and Savior. This is a priceless commitment. If we live life Gods way, we will be blessed, but if we stubbornly insist on living it our own way, sin will have its way with us. The story of Esau found in Genesis 25:19 34 and Genesis 27 illustrates the ability to look ahead and anticipate the consequences of our actions. Esau rashly despised his birthright as a young man and deeply regretted it once he understood that he could not regain it. In the same way, adolescents often despise their virginity because they do not understand how precious it is until after they have squandered it. The story of Joseph that begins in Genesis 37 show that God blesses patience and obedience. Josephs story gives encouragement to the
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Make a Priceless Commitment young man who is being called gay because he has chosen to exercise sexual restraint. It also encourages the young woman who is dumped by her boyfriend because she will not give him what belongs to her future husband. The story of Joseph is a story of a young man en route to destiny. Through various tests and betrayals, Joseph realizes Gods purposes for his life and the life of his nation. Perhaps the most difficult temptation came in Genesis 39 when Potiphars wife incessantly tempted Joseph. For many men this struggle against sexual temptation represents the consummate battle, which will either launch them towards destiny or disqualify them into defeat. Josephs story gives keys to breaking through the stronghold of sexual temptation. Counting the cost Everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. -Gen 39:8b. A famous lie of the devil is that our sins will not cost anything. In Gen. 3:4, he began with Eve, You will not surely die. In truth however, there will be consequences to compromise. One
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Is Purity Possible? of the most effective cures for sexual temptation is to visualize the consequences our sin will have. When tempted to gaze at a lewd magazine or watch a perverse TV program, consider the effects on your life. We have seen houses ruined, marriages destroyed, ministries toppled, and movements halted due to the failures in sexual purity. Your destiny depends on the purity of your desires. Joseph realized exactly how much he had to lose if he compromised with Potiphars wife. His master had entrusted his house to him, and if he fell into immorality his position, his influence, the well-being of his masters house would all be lost. For young men of this hour, the loss will be to the entire house of your Master, Jesus Christ. Keeping Godly Standards How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God? Gen. 39:9 Often men rationalize, Its all right if I
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Make a Priceless Commitment look as long as I dont touch. We arent going all the way. Our society has lost shame by blurring the line of purity. According to Matt 5:28 and 30, Gods standards say, Whosoever looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heartAnd if your right eye offends you, pluck it outor if your right hand offends you, cut if off. Jesus required perfect purity. In several places such as 2 Cor. 12:21, Gal. 5:19, 1 Pet. 4:3, Jude 4, the bible forbids lasciviousness arousing desires that cannot be righteously fulfilled. Many young people think its Ok to make out as long as they dont have a genital penetration; that is ever so wrong by kingdom standards. In Col. 3:5, 1 Thes. 4:5, Rom. 7:8, the bible also warns against concupiscence, which is lewdness of looseness of our passions, a fixation or preoccupation with a certain subject or image. If we hold some fantasy constantly in our mind, speak and dream about some fulfilment outside of the boundaries of God, we are guilty of sexual sin without the actual act. The Bible sets standards of purity for our eyes, thought life, and our relations
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Is Purity Possible? with the opposite sex. Joseph recognized that to disobey or compromise in these areas is a sin against God and Gods standards. 39:10 She spoke to Joseph day after day. Gen.

Potiphars wife tempted Joseph day by day, saying Lie with me. It was not a one-time event that sought to compromise the integrity of Joseph. Any man can pass a one time test when he knows the eyes of all are upon him. It is the continual wearing down that fells many men. However as men and women of God, people who have been purchased by the blood of Christ, we must maintain constant vigilance. Often after our greatest spiritual victories, the enemy creeps in the garden unnoticed and tempts us with the lust of the eyes. A successful man is just as susceptible as an impoverished one. The only answer is to keep our guard continually up, day after day, be vigilant against the slippery slope of compromise and maintain the wall of fire around our eyes, mind, and heart. One practical way I can gauge my vigilance is my eyes. If I begin compromising
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Make a Priceless Commitment what I look upon or taking second and third glances, I have begun to slide down the slope towards immorality. At this pointnot laterI need to repent to God, ask for His cleansing, and rebuild the standard. Job said in Job 31:1, I have made a covenant with my eyes. Why should I look upon a young woman? He understood that purity was a daily commitment. 39:11 None of the servants was inside. Gen.

When Joseph was cornered by Potiphars wife, none of the men were in the house with him. Tragically, this isolation is true of many men who are struggling against pornography. More that avoiding solitary situations, the young man of God must avoid a solitary lifestyle that cuts him off from other men. An isolated man has little power to break free of his private sin, because he has the luxury of keeping it just that private. Men were created to run together in packs. Like geese flying in formation, one is lifted by the wings of another, and as long as they stay aligned, there is increased power. Man of God, do not get left in the house alone. Bring other men your age, older and younger, into your life to experience the
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Is Purity Possible? battles you are fighting and win them together with you. Joseph was vulnerable when he was alone, just as most of us are. Friendships and accountability are irreplaceable in your fight to be sexually free from sin. Do not get caught. 39:12 She caught him by his garment. Gen.

Potiphars wife grabbed Joseph by his clothing to bring him into her trap. This grasping attempt by sin to capture a young man of God is a perfect picture of the clutches of lust. Lust starts very slowly, but if allowed the least amount of room to continue, it will grab a mans soul and inevitably ensnare him. The eyes are the gate of the soul. In Matt. 6:23, Jesus said, If your eyes are good, then your whole body is full of light. The battle for men begins with the eyes; which is why the practice of immediately turning our eyes away from seductive women, alluring shows, internet sites, magazines, etc. is such a powerful practice. Maintain the purity of your eyes and you will see the transformation of your desires.
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Make a Priceless Commitment Leave your garments. He left his garment in her hand. Gen. 39:12 Many young people are wearing garments that prevent God from dealing with them on the issue of sexual purity. Most sexual addictions stem from a deep desire to be loved or a need for comfort inappropriately pursued. We may ask ourselves what it is we really hope to gain from such behaviour. As we allow God to search our heart, we will often find holes in our own soul. Such holes are inevitable if you are human. Just as our soles become worn and ragged, the soul of a mans heart is quickly worn and tattered by life on earth, and he looks for ways to patch the holes. The sooner a man realizes the underlying scars he is trying to cover, the quicker the battle against immorality will be won. Joseph left his garments in the hand of the sinful adulterous, but in this act of utter humility, he was delivered from the temptation. Jesus hung naked on the cross and had nothing in his life hidden from the Fathers stare. Such transparency is the need of the hour. It lends credibility to our leadership, authority to our
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Is Purity Possible? message, accountability to our private walk, and wonderful fellowship with a Living God who dwells in approachable light. 39:12b Flee! And ed and ran outside. Gen.

Joseph knew that he could not get caught in the house alone, and the moment the tempter came, he ran. Likewise, flee fornication. Many young people put themselves in vulnerable positions, resist for a period, but ultimately fall because of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you are a young man struggling with Internet pornography, turn off the system! Put blocks on the browsers! Do not expose yourself to unnecessary temptations. Remove any remnant of temptation out your grasps. Young person, make no bargains with the enemy in your sexual purity. Understand that like Joseph, conquering lust is a prerequisite towards fulfilling Gods dream for your life. Make a quality decision to honor Gods standards of sexual purity, Once this decision is made, you are on your path to victory and to your destiny.
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Make a Priceless Commitment You are part of the fellowship of the unashamed. You have crossed over the line. The decision has been made. You wont look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. Your past is redeemed, your present makes sense, and your future is secure. You are done with tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. You no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity to define who you are. You should not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. The God you worship is a Spirit, and should be worshipped in spirit and truth. He is great and terrible, and therefore should be worshipped with seriousness and reverence, and not to be dallied with, or served with toys or lifeless lip-service. He is most holy, pure, and jealous, and therefore should be purely worshipped. He is still present with you, and all things are naked and open to him unto whom we will have to give an account.
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Is Purity Possible? Oh how I feel the inner urging to press through with God and be found of Him. We have to begin to realize that this closeness with God will not just come easily, but we will need to press into God to obtain it. As we burn with the fire of His presence, we will realize that the impurities of this world are burned away. You cannot desire Him so much and still crucify Him by your way of life. Surely what is needed in our modern day Christianity is a burning of the heart. The church today is full of unbelief and powerless programs that dont save lost souls. In the youth services, entertainment has taken over passion for God. What we need is the fire of the Holy Spirit. Gods answer to a world so cold is a burning Christian heart in the streets, high schools, colleges, in churches, in youth services, in Christian colleges and seminaries. Set them ablaze. Blaze them with desire for God and they will lose the grip on the world. A leader who lacks a burning heart will make little impact. Our communities are little impressed by our programs and diverse activities. It takes more than a busy church, a
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Make a Priceless Commitment friendly church, or even a Pentecostal church to impact a community for Christ. It must be a church with hearts ablaze, led by leaders who are ablaze for God. Gods holy fire is burning in the hearts of young men and women, stirring their brains, impelling their emotions, thrilling in their tongues, glowing in their countenances, vibrating in their actions. May you not miss this baptism in your search for entertainment. A passionless Christian will not put out the fires of immorality. A passionless youth leader will never set the youth ablaze for Christ. Until we are ablaze we cannot speak to the hearts of our people. We must be utterly possessed by Christ, utterly impassioned by His love and grace, utterly ablaze with His power and glory. Every part of our being needs to be blazed by Gods divine fire that purifies us from all impurities.

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Pledge of Purity
There is no such thing as bending the fence. When we decide that Gods desire for us to leave sex for marriage is cramping our style, and that bending his rule is cool so long as we are in love and stay in control, we are breaking and not just bending the rules. Scripture clearly says, Marriage should be honoured by all and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral (Hebrews 13:4). It takes incredible courage and determination for young people to stand against what our society accepts as the norm, where sex out of marriage is the main theme of the afternoon soaps, and where youth culture attaches more importance to losing virginity than to protecting it. Next time you face a decision between love and lust, stop! Take time to pray that God will help you follow Christ and not your feelings. It is no use pushing it to the limit, using the How-far-can-I-go approach, and then hoping to be safe. Thats like a person on skis who tries to stop the ride on the way down the slope - the only way out at that stage of the ride is to take a tumble. It is the tumble that God wants to protect you from.
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Is Purity Possible? The Wolves outside the fence are real. There is the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy and the horror of abortion. The possibility of sexually transmitted infections and even AIDS is more than real. Ultimately, your courtship or marriage relationship becomes severely scarred by pre-marital experimentation. But, most importantly whenever you go against what God has decided as best for you, the beauty of your divine fellowship is sabotaged. Nothing is worse than a broken relationship with the only person who can truly satisfy your craving for love and security. May God help us to be faithful to our pledge of purity. I know that your heart is right now burning to make a pact with God to stay pure. As a sign of your seriousness, I invite you to make the following pledge and depend on God to live within the bounds of the commitment you make. Say this loudly: I make this Promise to God, to myself and to my future husband/wife and children; to all my friends and members of the body of Christ, that I will not engage in sexual activity of any kind before marriage but will keep my thoughts and my body pure as a special gift to God and for the one I will marry. Lord, I
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Pledge of Purity ask you in Jesus name, to strengthen me with your wisdom and faith to help me keep this promise.
Signed ____________________________________ Date

_____________________________________

Supporting Witnesses: Witness 1 _________________________________ Witness 2_________________________________

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