Chastity
"The essence of chastity is not the suppression of lust but the total orientation of one's life toward a goal."--Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Memory Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:3,4.
Introduction: When the issue of chastity is brought up in
our society, many will wonder if it doesn't belong with other outdated
words like "chivalry" and "thou" and "concupiscence." While many might
think chastity is something for the past, God is calling His people to
be chaste. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 11:2, "for I have espoused you
to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." Purity
and holiness is what Christ wants from His Church (Ephesians 5:26,27).
We must realize that there is no such thing as a pure church
if the people aren't pure. Corporate purity is a direct result of personal
purity. Whenever a Christian makes an individual commitment to purity and
chastity, Christ's Church becomes more pure and chaste.
If we are called to chastity, what is it? Simply put, chastity
is moral purity which stems from a transformation of heart through the
power of God's Spirit. While chastity includes abstinence from immoral
sexual relationships, it is much more. Chastity means we don't have a preoccupation
with sex; that we don't see others as a prospective mate before we see
them as a brother or sister in the Lord; that the opposite sex isn't a
source of sexual frustration, but a source of ministry. Our hearts
pursue chastity if we expect our actions to be pure. Even more, chastity
should be an integral part of our marriages. Not only are we called to
remain physically faithful, but emotionally, spiritually, and mentally
faithful. How can married couples be chaste if they share their most intimate
dreams and desires with someone other than their spouse? When people are
chaste, mutual sacrifice and giving is more important than fulfilling the
sexual drive.
Contrary to popular opinion, chastity isn't simply abstention.
Rather, it is proper abstention. Complete separation from the opposite
sex, as some might think, doesn't fulfill the requirements of chastity.
Heart transformation is what chastity calls for. If pure relationships
with the opposite sex aren't a part of someone's life, then chastity isn't
either.
Lesson Questions:
1. Why is true chastity a result of an inner working of God's grace as well as external abstinence from sinful sexual relationships? Matthew 5:27,28; 1 Thessalonians 4:3,4; Colossians 2:20-23.
2. How does chastity free us to have close relationships with others without the sinful burden of sexual preoccupation and entanglement? 1 Timothy 5:2; Colossians 3:2.
3. Chastity deals not only with the physical, but the spiritual, mental, and emotional aspects of life. Why, then, is it important that we practice not only physical chastity, but also spiritual, emotional, and mental chastity? Apply this to single and married Christians. Ephesians 5:25-29; Genesis 2:23,24; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 Corinthians 7:5.
4. What should be our attitude toward sex in light of the following
verses? Ephesians 5:31; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:4; 1 Corinthians
6:18; Genesis 1:28.
Note: "Casual sex" is a contradiction of terms. Sex unites
a man and woman as one flesh. The intimacy and depth of the sexual experience
is anything but casual.
5. How can we miss God's blessing in marriage by denying, ignoring,
or condemning the sexual union? Genesis 1:27; Proverbs 5:15-19; Hebrews
13:4a; Proverbs 18:22.
Note: Notice the relationship between Solomon and the Shulamite
woman in Song of Solomon 4:1-16 and 5:10-16. This provides a beautiful
picture of God's blessings of chastity. Solomon and the Shulamite were
consumed with one another--spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and sexually.
Keeping our eyes turned away from others and being totally absorbed and
enamored with our spouse are important elements in our commitments to chastity.
6. Why is the intimate relationship between a husband and wife compared to the relationship between Christ and the Church? Ephesians 5:25-32.
7. Discuss how we can defraud others through sexual impurity of heart, mind, and action. 1 Thessalonians 4:4-6; Proverbs 6:26; 5:3,4; Genesis 39:7-20.
8. What important steps must we take to overcome sexual temptations? Job 31:1; Matthew 5:29,30; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Timothy 4:15,16; Proverbs 4:14,15.
