There has been much debate between the difference, if any, on purity and abstinence. There is a huge difference. For
some reason, the world insists that it is just about abstinence,
virginity pledges as what we need to do, and then hope it works. When it does not work people complain, criticize and protest that abstinence does not work. Society
come up with all these ridiculous statistics proving that virginity
pledges do not work without first investigating what has been done and
what has not.
If we take diabetes, for an example, and only strive to take our insulin
shots and not worry about our diet, or fail to take our insulin shots,
it could mean trouble for the diabetic. Why? Because there are many factors and tasks we need to perform every day to keep our self in check and the diabetes under control. If we fail to do one and not the other then there are short-term and
long-term consequences. There is a process and several steps to take,
not just one. When we do projects and tasks, rarely is it just one-step.
When it comes to abstinence, we are only targeting the physical part, which
again is only part of the solution to something that is a heavy and
often daily temptation. We need to prepare for these kinds of temptations well in advance before they come into our lives. We
need to act now, and not later, and not respond negatively to some
statistics done by someone not privy to all the information.
Purity is what we need to look at in order to maintain physical abstinence. Maintaining physical purity involves several steps and not just one-step. We need to find out what our major temptation is and learn to avoid it at all costs. We need to read the bible every day and memorize scriptures pertaining to purity. We need to pray and choose our friends carefully. This is the equation to the solution. You cannot do just do one part and think it will work and when it does not work get frustrated. That is unfair to the effort and to the solution as well. It just does not work.
To entirely say that abstinence does not work without properly considering the steps needed to be taken is wrong. Abstinence, celibacy, and purity are all different. Purity encompasses the full process to equal a successful solution by addressing all the factors,
- Physical (the act of sex)
- Emotional (the feelings we feel that drive us to fall into temptation)
- Mental (our thought process and what we feed our minds related to the topic, magazines, TV, etc)
- Spiritual (our ultimate strength to be successful).
If one of these areas lacks attention or you do not think it matters in the process, you will have a fair or failed result. Without a true commitment to purity, abstinence is all the more difficult. Addressing all the factors and the necessary steps does lead to a favorable result. It is possible, it can be done, it has been done, and you can do it too.
Remember, nothing comes without effort or hard work. Understand yourself, put measures in place to bring you success and make great decisions.
Remember these three questions to ask yourself when you make a big decision in life:
- Is it in line with God’s commands?
- How does it affect your value system?
- Who are you going to affect if you make this decision?
Bring Glory to God in all you do, stay close to him and protect you always from temptation..... and no matter where you are in life or where you have been - you can start anew right now, living in Purity. God is forever gracious and forgiveness. With heartfelt repentance we have a fresh start!
- Jessica Psalidas, Author - Everlasting Purity