Purity #1

Our devos for this week will be focused on the topic of purity. The scripture basis is Phillipians 4:8...

^"Finally, brothers, 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."

I have done some research and found something called "10 Tips for Dating" from Campus Life magazine (January/February 2001), published by Christianity Today International.

Now I know not all of you are dating right now, but let's be honest....WE ALL think about it or have thought about it at some point!! If you are not currently seeking a relationship with a person of the opposite sex, then see this as an "investment" opportunity...a time to put some thought, effort and energy in for a reward that may come later down the road.

We all struggle with the issue of purity, and what that means as followers of Christ. I hope some of these thoughts will get you thinking about where you find yourself when it comes to living a pure life...

1) Keep innocent expressions special. Rather than making the innocent expressions a mere prelude to the "heavier stuff," make the most of them. Let holding hands mean something. Make sure a kiss communicates true feeling and isn't just the first step to further physical involvement.

2) Pace your passion. Every marathon runner knows that you don't use up your energy at the beginning of the race; you need most of it at the end. Pacing your passion means that you realize you're trying to remain pure all the way to your wedding day. It's OK to express your love in little ways, but don't start messing with the package that is sex. To get real practical, avoid anything that is sure to ignite the fires of passion.

3) Don't feed your fantasies. It's normal to think about sex sometimes. In fact, with the way advertising and Hollywood exploit sex, it would be impossible not to think about it. So choose your entertainment carefully. Certain songs, books, television shows, movies and Web sites only turn up the pressure. Feeding your thought life with junk only makes it harder to remain pure in your actions.

Do you agree/disagree?