Purity 101

So, what’s the big deal about this whole purity and romance thing? What are these buzz words I keep hearing?

Bess’ Handy Dictionary Definitions

Abstinence – the act of saving sex as a special gift for marriage only

Purity – the above + a steadfastness against lust, selfish desires, impure thoughts & actions, & other such sinfulness

Purity Ring/Jewelry – a ring or other piece of jewelry a person wears as a symbol & reminder of her/his abstinence & purity pledge; an outward sign to those the wearer comes in contact with of her/his commitment to abstinence & purity

Courtship – an intentional seeking out of someone for the distinct purpose of future marriage (*see “Marriage”) with that individual, with parental guidance & support at the forefront

Dating – an informal or formal get-to-together system where two individuals seek to learn more about the other, in hopes of growing a relationship, which leads to marriage (*see Marriage), through a series of dates; Dinner & A Movie is one of the most common forms

Marriage – a sacred union before God between a man and a woman; a promise to love the spouse no matter what
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Worldly Dictionary Unincorporated

Abstinence – a waste of time; provides no way of knowing if you truly love the person

Purity – ???; no definitions found

Purity Ring/Jewelry – see “Purity”

Courtship – something like jury duty; ?

Dating – a way to meet someone you can “hook up” with; nothing lasting; no strings attached; something to do on a Friday or Saturday night

Marriage – a union between…whomever; don’t worry, if it doesn’t work out you can always find a way out of it; hey, if something goes wrong, you see someone you like better, etc. you can give your spouse the slip – nothings forever, especially not love
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God’s Holy Word

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” –Proverbs 4:23

“Flee from sexual sin. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” -1 Corinthians 6:18-20

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual sin; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy & honorable.” -1 Thessalonians 4:3-4

“Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” –Song of Songs 8:7

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church & gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, & to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy & blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds & cares for it, just as Christ does the church – for we are members of His body. ‘For this reason a man will leave his father & mother & be united to his wife, & the two will become one flesh.’" -Ephesians 5:25-31

“Marriage should be honored by all, & the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer & all the sexually immoral.” –Hebrews 13:4

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” -1 Peter 4:8

Now, ahem, which way do you choose?