There is a large percentage of
Christians who want to see abstinence taught in the sex education classes- if
it’s got to be taught. I’m not so sure
that’s a good idea. I don’t even think we
should teach our own children abstinence (restraining oneself from indulging in
something, in this case sex). Is that
shocking? The truth is that I don’t
think abstinence is a high enough goal to aim for. Those who teach it usually mean ‘all the way’
like half way isn’t sex. And what about
making 'second base?' Is God okay with
that?
How’s this for an idea. Let’s teach our children purity- physical,
mental, spiritual purity. Just because
we do not engage in sex before marriage does not mean we are living pure: our
minds could constantly be in the gutter thinking of doing things we shouldn’t, even laughing at perversity. From
personal experience as a teenager I can guarantee it is no better having a mind
thinking perverse things than actually doing them. Filth is filth whether it is evident or
concealed.
But I say to you that whoever looks on a woman to
lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. And if
your right eye offends you, pluck it out and throw it
from you. For it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish,
and not that your whole body should be
thrown into hell. Mt. 5:28,29
As I was
reading Titus I came upon a verse that made me sad. “To the pure
all things are pure. But to those who
are defiled and unbelieving nothing is
pure, but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” (Tt. 1:15) Pure (katharos) means clean, pure;
physically; no uncleanness; free from corrupt desire, sin and guilt; sincere
and genuine without falseness; blameless and innocent; unstained with the guilt
of anything (Thayer). This made me sad
to read because we ALL fail to be pure and if WE are not striving to be pure, why
would our children?
In Mt. above,
Jesus says if part of you sins, rip it out and get rid of it. He wasn’t talking physical ripping but taking
action (Dt. 10:16 ) to rid our lives
of sin as much as it is possible for us to do so. Turn it off, burn it, throw it out, block our
ears, say no, don’t watch, don’t go, don’t buy, etc. For the most part we can determine what comes
in to our lives. How can we be pure if
we leave filth within? Even doing our
best however, we will fail because we are human. That is why we need the Lord more and more in
our lives, to make us new (2Cr. 5:17 ),
help us transform (Rm. 12:2) and clean us up (Ps. 51:10).
“To the pure all things are pure.” Do we laugh at course jokes, look at inappropriate pictures, use foul language, speaking in anger, lie, watch questionable movies or TV shows, teach our children it’s okay as long as we don’t go all the way? Is this a God honouring way to live? Are we displaying purity / holiness? “…Be holy as I am holy.” (1Pt. 1:16)
…but be an example of the believers, in word, in
conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in
purity. 1Tm. 4:12
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders,
adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies; these are the things which defile a man… Mt. 15:19 ,20 (note: not pure)
And there shall in no way enter into it (the New Jerusalem)
anything that defiles… Rv. 21:27
And just what
does God think about our purity for He is the one whose opinion counts
most. We might think we are pure, but
God sees our innermost parts and knows all the impurities remaining in us. “But who can
endure the day of His coming? And who shall stand when He appears? For
He is like a refiner's fire...” (Ml.
3:2) We need the Lord to set His
refiner’s fire on us to remove the impurities left in us- that we may be pure
gold or silver vessels for His use and glory.
But in a great house there are not only vessels of
gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some
to dishonor. Therefore if anyone purges himself from these, he shall be a
vessel to honor, sanctified and useful to the Master, prepared for every good
work. 2Tm. 2:20:21
Lord, help us set our goals high on holiness and purity,
to do what we can, and to throw ourselves on Your mercy and grace to finish
what we are unable to do. Thank You for
all You do!
Blessed are
the pure in heart! For they shall see God.
Mt. 5:8