Passage of the Day:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[e] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell, Matthew 5:27-30.
Reflection:
As Jesus spoke on the side of a mountain, multitudes of followers gathered closely together to hear what this first century teacher was about to say. Based upon Jesus’ opening statement, those in attendance were familiar with the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament. However, Jesus goes beyond a legalistic compliance to each commandment. Adultery isn’t just the sexual act. Jesus points out to sexual immorality begins in your heart as his younger brother expounds upon in James 1:13-15. Chastity is a pledge to God young people make to remain spiritually pure until their wedding day.
Prayerful Action:
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4.
Working Out Your Salvation:
The earliest recorded mention of a chastity belt dates back to a 15th century German engineer. However, if you watch movies like the Patriot, set during the Revolutionary War, other methods are used to prevent engaged couples from having sex before being married. According to the apostle Paul, single Christians struggled to keep their bodies pure in the first century. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, chastity applies to the married as well. If you can commit adultery in your mind, then chastity is a spiritual discipline for the married and unmarried.
Song of the Day:
One of the keys to chastity is avoiding a second glance. Christians that don’t give lust and the devil a foothold, will be better equipped to stay true to their faith.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 