Purity is an important virtue that is often ignored or misunderstood – but it is a crucial concept for Christians to live out.
While sexual abstinence before marriage is an important component of purity and a must for singles – living a life of purity applies to all Christians – regardless of their marital status.
So what exactly does it mean to live a life of purity – and how can we ask God to help us in our battles against temptation?
To start – we must first look at the most common temptations and traps many Christians find themselves ensnared in.
The Bondage of Pornography
Study after study reveals how pornography literally rewires the brain and effectively “short circuits” the way sex is supposed to work.
When a person views pornography and gets the dopamine hit – all the other hormones follow suit like an oxytocin release (the bonding hormone) and increased serotonin levels.
Without even realizing it – the viewer becomes hooked and craves the same “feel good” experience and needs more and more… learning it’s never enough.
When married – pornography devastates marriages as the innocent spouse feels betrayed and abandoned – and it’s a vicious cycle.
And if not yet married – pornography is equally as harmful as it sets up roadblocks and future problems in relationships.
If this area is a stronghold for you – do whatever you can to keep yourself safe.
Whether it’s putting accountability monitoring on your devices so another person can hold you accountable for what you view – or it could even be as drastic as not having internet on your phone at all.
Lustful Thoughts
God’s Word tells us if we even lust after another person we’ve committed adultery.
Lust is a struggle both singles and married folks struggle with alike.
Whether it’s being enchanted and lured away by a wayward woman (or man) – or even being tempted by the person at work who is just a little too friendly – lust is something that grows when its fed.
The best way to fight lust is to starve it.
We must take every thought captive immediately and ask God to help us purify our thoughts – and our hearts.
To those who aren’t married – it’s important to treat the opposite sex like your brother or sister – because that’s what they are!
You could be lusting after another person who is someone else’s future spouse.
Not to mention – lust is incredibly selfish and dehumanizes another person by treating them like an object.
Nothing good comes from lust – and one can’t live a life of purity if they are trapped in lust.
He Makes All Things New
A special note – remember that regardless of your past sexual struggles – God makes all things new.
The enemy would love to beat up believers and shame them with rubbing their failures in their face.
But the truth is – Jesus died for your sins – past, present, and future.
As John Piper said perfectly – “God took the record of all your sins — all your sexual failures — that made you a debtor to wrath, and instead of holding them up in front of your face and using them as the warrant to send you to hell, he put them in the palm of his Son’s hand and nailed them to the cross.”
So if you currently struggle with sexual purity – consider talking it over with your accountability partner or Pastor – or even an anonymous group like Celebrate Recovery.
Purity may be rare in our current culture – but as Christians we take our marching orders from God – not society.
God will help you in your struggles – so cry out to Him and know a life of purity is for your own protection – and will help you in every area of your life.
Do you struggle with purity?
What are some additional temptations that Christians struggle with?
You can post your answers to our Facebook page and join in the conversation with other believers from all around the world.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” – John 3:16-17
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