Monday, July 14, 2014

Virginity, Purity Standard- Heart, not just the Hymen



 People often ask how far is too far when interacting with someone of the opposite sex they are not married to.  Many like to think that everything is permissible except actually having intercourse.   Many men and women like to think they remain pure and virtuous just keeping their panties on.  They would all be wrong.  The Bible is actually very clear when it comes to purity’s limits. 
We are told in Ephesians not to have any hint of it among us.  This means virginity and purity begin with the heart, not just the hymen.  Men are exhorted to treat older women as mother and younger women as sisters with absolute purity.  You would not get fresh with you mother or your sister would you?  If you’re a healthy person, you would not.   The very term purity itself should be a hint to you.  To say something is pure implies that you are free of it completely.  This means that limits of purity extend to the very core of one’s heart.   A pure heart is free of any and all impure thoughts toward someone we are not married with.  This is God’s standard of purity in a nutshell.  To a God who searches the heart, a man who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her.  Purity of Heart is God’s be-attitude.  A man may not go all the way with a woman and still get their feelings entangled with each other.  Their separation feels just as painful and difficult as any couple that divorces.  They can walk away feeling just as dirty.  They are also just as capable of carrying along baggage to the next relationship.  This occurs because real purity had not been maintained.  At Jesus Birth, Mary and Joseph only had a simple verbal covenant with each other and the Bible recognized them as married; lack of consummation never implied they lacked a relationship and that separation would not require a divorce of some kind.  Purity involves not pulling any heart strings of any kind.  Sinful people may struggle to meet this higher standard.  But never lower the standard to meet your level, rather rise to the occasion.  How can I be made a better if the standard were no higher than me?  A pure heart holds many benefits for a person.   A pure heart does not struggle with temptation.  A pure hot does not rot out from envy.  And only a pure heart can show true fidelity to one’s partner and make a relationship flourish.  Everyone must do all of their living ultimately within the spirit of one’s own head.  If the inner room of one’s thoughts is clean and good, life becomes good and accommodating.  If the place is dirty and dingy, life can be very grim and dark.  External circumstances play a much less significant role to these factors.  The ability to enjoy any real relationship first requires ceasing the pursuit for greener pastures and a commitment to cultivate right where you are at.  Saving oneself for only one's spouse will save you and your relationship a lot of heart ache.  God is interested in helping you accomplish the task.  Call on him to help you with it and He will.

Related Links
Why Should I avoid Sexual Immorality?
Women in the Sex Industry: Should Pity, Not Envy
Beauty & Fashion: They never bring Love if only Skin Deep
Immodesty, Public Nudity, Exhibition: also exposes loose Morals 
Tramps, Sluts, Nymphomaniacs: The Prophetic Destiny of an Unrepentant Dirty Girl
Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Do you have to learn the Hard Way?  

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