By Mike Chaffin
20 Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman? 21 For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths. Proverbs 5:20-21
Chastity is one of the seven capital virtues given to defeat the seven deadly sins. In this case it quiets lust. It is closely related to temperance. Chastity is defined as refraining from sex outside of marriage, from all sexual intercourse for those who have taken a vow of chastity and those who are single. It is also related to personal integrity.
An integral part of chastity is discretion and understanding.
Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Proverbs 2:11
In our current society, chastity is laughed at, mocked and derided. The non-Christian does not understand it. However, in a chaste society there would be no AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, or unwanted pregnancies. Chastity is the cure for lust fueled ills. Chastity is a virtue intimately linked to Jesus Christ. For all the ills of humanity, for all the problems associated with the seven deadly sins, and the additional nineteen vices we will discuss, there is one solution. That solution is Jesus Christ. Lust kills. Chastity keeps us clean. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we seek to be holy as Christ is Holy. Paul taught on this in 1 Thessalonians,
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
Job practiced chastity when he said he had made a covenant with his eyes not to lust after a woman. We must be chaste to see God. Jesus made it quite clear in his preaching in the beatitudes.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8
Purity is the goal of every Christian, and this is only achieved through chastity of spirit and flesh. To quote Matthew Henry,
“Here is the most comprehensive character of the blessed: they are pure in heart. Note, True religion consists in heart-purity. Those who are inwardly pure, show themselves to be under the power of pure and undefiled religion. True Christianity lies in the heart, in the purity of heart; the washing of that from wickedness, Jer. 4:14. We must lift up to God, not only clean hands, but a pure heart.”
Chastity is the key to cleanliness and purity. Something we should all pray to have and exercise.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for giving us your Holy Spirit to dwell in us as comforter and counselor in our walk with you. Help me in my walk to cultivate chastity in my life so that lust no longer controls my thoughts. In Jesus name, amen.
