Standing Strong On Sexual Purity

Standing Strong on Sexual Purity

The world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 1 John 2:16

Joe Ehrmann used to be a defensive tackle for the Baltimore Colts. He’s a high school coach now, but he came to speak to our team once, and I really appreciated his thoughts on what it takes to be a man. Among his refreshingly candid views is the idea that society’s evaluation of men is often based on their sexual conquests. In the eyes of many, manhood is defined by sleeping with a lot of women.

That’s nothing new, of course. The world has viewed manhood that way for thousands of years. I’ve seen it with athletes at every level from high school to professionals. But that’s a sad statement on society, and it’s a sad example for our young men and women. Besides being an unfulfilling lifestyle, it goes against God’s design for marriage and family.

If we really believe sex outside of marriage is wrong, we’ve got to teach our boys and girls how to go against the grain in the society they are living in. The idea of saving oneself for marriage is subject to a lot of questions and even ridicule. We and our kids need a lot of strength to deal with that kind of pressure. Some parents may be hesitant to talk about it because they made mistakes in their past or perhaps struggle with their thoughts today. But those mistakes and struggles are the kind of experience that can actually give a parent more credibility. Whatever a parent’s background, it’s important to help children avoid poor choices.

For those who aren’t married yet, focus on positive relationships grounded in friendship, and stand firm in the knowledge that you are strong enough to wait. It’s difficult, but the benefits are definitely worth it. If you are married, remain pure in your thoughts and actions, but perhaps even more important, encourage young people to pursue sexual purity. Adulthood—whether for men or women—is not defined by sexual activity but by things like integrity, patience, and mature character. That’s an uncommon lifestyle, especially in these times, but it’s definitely more fulfilling in the long run.

Uncommon Key > It takes a strong person to live a life of sexual integrity and purity. But strong people end up with far fewer regrets. Commit to being a strong person today.