To experience the full power of human fusion within marriage, and to reap the benefits of "The Sexual Force Unleashed" and "Romantic World Peace", you must become pure. However, purity is not gained through the means that you think.
You do not become pure through following a bunch of rules and regulations. Abstaining from immoral behavior without dealing with your heart's horny fantasies is like exercising at a gym that is sandwiched between a pizzeria and an ice cream shop. You may resist the urge to indulge for a while, but sooner or later, you will slip. When you do, you will fall. Hard. Not least because that smoking hot 19-year-old babe /totally ripped 27-year-old stud who called your bluff will be on top of you.
You do not become pure through obeying your parents or acting good to fit in with your strict, traditional peers (assuming that you grew up in that kind of culture/subculture). Believing that you're a moral and chaste person because you can control yourself when Mom and Dad are watching your every move is like believing that you're a great swimmer because you can stay afloat in your backyard swimming pool. It's easy to keep your head above water when your feet can touch the bottom. However, God will eventually put you to the test by throwing you into the ocean (i.e. the real world). And in the ocean of the real world, those who can't swim either:
A) Drown in addictions such as hardcore porn or "romance" e-books (a.k.a. hardcore porn for women).
B) Become shark food for the players and playeresses who make "Jaws" look like "Finding Nemo."
You do not become pure through trying to win the heart of your "true love." It may sound chivalrous and romantic to try to prove yourself worthy of some virgin princess or Prince Charming. However, what you are actually doing is turning that person into a marital trophy or championship belt. You are like a guy who is only training in the martial arts to win a UFC title or a girl who is only dieting to win "America's Next Top Model." You'll either:
A) Get discouraged and quit when you realize just how ruthless your competitors for Mr./Miss Perfect are (and realize that these competitors won't necessarily stop when you are dating, courting, or married to this person).
B) Become disillusioned when Mr./Miss Perfect turn out to be just as human (and screwed-up) as you are. Or worse.
C) Make an idol out of Mr./Miss Perfect, which will leave you devastated if you ever lose them (i.e. they dump you or die young)
So how do you REALLY stay pure before marriage? It's actually very simple.
YOU WILL ONLY BECOME PURE IF YOU DECIDE IN YOUR HEART THAT YOU WOULD RATHER DIE THAN SIN AGAINST JESUS!!!!
You cannot achieve purity. You must receive it from Christ. If you try to get it on your own, you will fail. At best, you will put on a fake smiley face for the rest of the world while your forbidden urges rape your heart, mind, and soul. However, if you welcome Christ into your life, and are willing to die for Him, you will succeed. He will cast out your forbidden urges, give you the strength to conquer temptation, and provide you with healing that you never thought was possible.
Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (NKJV)
So do you have Christ in your life? Are you willing to die for Him? If so, you will succeed. Even if you have failed in the past, Christ can raise your sexuality from the dead and give you a romantic rebirth. To find out how, read next week's post.
