Run From Temptation

      Purity is a subject that's not talked about a lot. Why? Honestly, I don't know. I think some people don't care. Some people don't know anything about it. Some people don't like the idea. And some people are too scared to talk about it.

    Purity is a subject I have been passionate about for a long time. Why? Well, especially in my teen years, I have seen how much making the wrong choices and  impurity can hurt a person. I have seen lots of teens squander their purity and chances for witnessing for the Lord, only to come out hurt and with a broken heart.

    In our teen years, its especially hard to keep pure and live for the Lord. Why? Lots of people say it's the prime of life. The time we will look the best, and our minds will be well developed. Honestly, I think it's because we are changing. Not just physically, but also mentally. Especially in our later teen years, we are making up our minds on what our beliefs are, what we think is right and wrong. Do we believe the same thing our parents believe or do we believe something totally different? It's a very difficult time, it's easy just to throw it all up in the air, fall into sin, and give up.

    So what's all this got to do with purity? Teen years are the time when we will start considering what purity really is, and what we think about it. Its sad, how so many teens throw their purity away, simply because they do what makes them think will give them fulfillment.

    How many times have you heard someone else say, or said yourself, "I want to be pure, but it's so hard!"

    You hit the nail on the head! It's really hard! But often, making the right choice is hard. So, what in the world are we supposed to do to keep pure? So glad you asked. :) This is what God said;

    James 1:12
    "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." 

    We're all going to be tempted. Period. What are we to do when we face temptation? Endure. It's hard to endure temptation... we cannot do it without the Lord's help. But what does He say will happen if we do endure temptation? Look at the last half of the verse. "receive the crown of life."

    Joseph is a prime example of this. Joseph, was quite young, and he was tempted continually by his master's wife. What did Joseph do? He fled from temptation. (Gen. 39:7-13)

     While we struggle through these hard years, I think this is when Satan is most focused on driving us away from the Lord, because this is when we are most vulnerable. Temptation is the best way he can do that.

    The Bible says, as followers of Christ, we are examples of Him on this earth.

    1 Timothy 4:12
    "Let no one despise you for your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

    If we are not following in the footsteps of the world, (especially as young people) how much of a example do you think we will be?

    I feel as if I am rambling (which wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary. :D) so you might be wondering what my point is to all of this?

    Resist temptation. Run away from it. Look it in the eye and say that, with the Lord, you are stronger than it. Don't let it in-slave you. Let your purity shine before the world, that people may see your good works, that they may glorify your Father in Heaven.

    It's hard. Whenever you feel down cast, pressured by the world because it doesn't consider your purity cool or hip, remember this, that the Lord loves you. Search for a relationship with Him, not acceptance with the world.  His love is what will last.