Set an example in purity...

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12, NIV)

I was listening to K-Love the other day. The afternoon DJ was talking about his son’s first day of high school orientation. His son took in most of the day with no problem, but then came the welcome dance. The teens on the dance floor began bumping and grinding. The adult sponsors in the gym did nothing to stop this suggestive dancing and the DJ’s son, with no other options, went out side with some friends to play football. He told his dad about his discomfort later that day. He explained why he had walked out. Dad was proud of his faithful son.

Young people, extreme pressure is put on you to compromise your convictions. Your friends will tell you that sex outside of marriage is no big deal. Your classmates will tell you getting drunk or high is great fun…even if they can’t remember what they did last weekend. You’ll be treated like an outcast if you choose to buck the system and remain pure…in every area of life.

Buck the system anyway. The system is broken. Heartbreak is what the world’s immoral ways have to offer. Embarrassment. Regret. Disease.

The Bible is plain when it comes to the enemy’s plans. Jesus said it best, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” (John 10:10a, NIV) Two times the writer of Proverbs warned his readers: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25, NIV) If you choose impurity, you will be robbed, killed, destroyed. If you choose purity, you will live.

Jesus, in contrast to our enemy, the devil whom our Savior has conquered, has “come that [we] may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10b, NIV)

Choose purity! Set an example for your fellow believers. Show your peers that the pressure can be overcome by God’s grace and power. You will never regret following God’s way for you. You will never regret helping a friend courageously resist temptation.

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