- Tue, Feb 16, 2010
- Grace and Truth
A Lesbian Responds to Grace & Truth
Some churches today embrace truth, but need a heavy dose of grace. Other churches talk about grace, but cry out for a heavy dose of truth.
Resources: sexual purity
- Mon, Feb 15, 2010
- Christian Life, Sexual Purity
What resources and steps of action would you recommend for someone struggling with sexual sin?
Although I do not know the specific nature of your struggle, or the circumstances that set you up for sin, I do know that fighting the battle alone is difficult and rarely leads to victory.
- Wed, Feb 03, 2010
- Christian Life, Doctrine and Theology, Sexual Purity
Has Christianity made up its own meaning of fornication to mean sex before marriage?
The Greek word for “fornication” is “porneia”, which means harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry: The NKJ renders “fornication” as “sexual immorality.” The NIV renders it as “marital unfaithfulness/infidelity.” As you can see Christianity has made up its own meaning of fornication to mean sex before marriage. Christianity continues to define and redefine itself. I continue to question Christians in these matters.
Answered by Marshall Beretta, EPM Volunteer
I was not sure from your comments on “porneia” whether you were arguing for personal support of pre-marital sex. I’ll treat the general issue of the word. The Bible ...
- Thu, Jan 28, 2010
- Sexual Purity
Guidelines for Sexual Purity
I’ve developed the following material and presented it to many young people and their parents over many years. When my now married daughters were teenagers, I honed it further for sharing and discussion with them and the young men who asked to date them. Until we had gone over these principles together (my wife and I, our daughter and the boy) and made sure there was complete agreement, we didn’t allow a dating relationship to begin.
- Wed, Jan 20, 2010
- Christian Life, Randy's Books, Sexual Purity
The Purity Principle excerpts
The Purity Principle includes practical guidelines to protect purity, for singles, for married couples, and for parents who wish to train their children in purity. These include controlling the television and internet, and offering alternatives for how to spend our time. It also includes confession, repentance and developing biblical accountability that doesn’t just admit sin, but prevents it.
- Wed, Jan 20, 2010
- Randy's Books, Sexual Purity
The Purity Principle: Cultivating Your Inner Life
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of drawing on the indwelling power of the risen Christ. Self-reformation is not enough. It may bring limited benefits, but it will lead to self-righteousness, not Spirit-empowerment—and nothing sets us up for moral failure like self-righteousness.
- Wed, Jan 20, 2010
- Christian Life, Randy's Books, Sexual Purity
The Purity Principle: Getting Radical
Getting Radical
Suppose I said, “There’s a great-looking girl down the street. Let’s go look through her window and watch her undress, then pose for us naked, from the waist up. Then this girl and her boyfriend will get in a car and have sex—let’s listen and watch the windows steam up!”
You’d be shocked. You’d think, “What a pervert!”
But suppose instead I said, “Hey, come on over. Let’s watch Titanic.”
Christians recommend this movie, church youth groups view it together, and many have shown it in their homes. Yet the movie ...
- Wed, Jan 20, 2010
- Christian Life, Randy's Books, Sexual Purity
The Purity Principle: Superior Satisfaction
A sexual image lures my mind toward lust. The world, the flesh and the devil barrage me with messages: I will feel like a man or a woman; it will relieve my pain, disappointment, stress. I’ll be happier if I surrender.
- Mon, Jan 18, 2010
- Sexual Purity
As someone who has remained sexually pure, how do I forgive my girlfriend, who lost her virginity in the past?
Your desire to marry someone who has remained pure is a great goal. However, because we are sinful by nature, some people do have sex outside of marriage, maybe even before they became a Christian.
- Tue, Jan 12, 2010
- Sexual Purity
Easily Entangled (Hebrews 12:1): One Christian Man’s Battle with Pornography
At the age of eleven I put my faith in Christ. I was drawn to the foot of the cross and decided to follow Jesus. I loved God with all my heart and was so grateful to be one of His forgiven children.
Shortly after that milestone in my life, I entered puberty. All of a sudden things changed. My interest in females went from high to “off the charts.” The girls at school now touched off emotions that went to the core of my very being. I was a hormone on legs.
