Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Purity




 Impure images barrage America on a daily basis. Television overflows with scantily clad men and women and billboards attempt enticement likewise. We must be careful even as women to live pure lives. Here are some areas we need to protect ourselves and our families from: 

 1. Romance novels (even Christian novels) 

 2. Children novels that discuss unbiblical sex at an early age. Ex: Judy Blume 

 3. Impure television shows, movies, magazines with unacceptable pictures 

 4. Sales flyers (models in underwear), posters 

 5. Radio shows, music, friends or anything that has a low value of purity 

 6. Exercise videos (I realized this early on with little sons in the room) I make sure all the videos are now modest! (example: Stormie Omartian has great modest workout videos) 

 7. Internet (pornography is rampant, images are everywhere--from you tube to art stores--make sure you have controls!) 

 8. Suggestive clothing Obviously this is not exhaustive--we want to protect ourselves and our sons and daughters from the assault on purity that is so prevalent today. We all know that once an image is branded in our minds, that it is there forever. 

We need to teach our children how to handle being bombarded with these sexual assaults. I also think that it is important for those of us who have been defiled by the world (and honestly now, who hasn't?) that we make firm choices to think purely. 

"Be holy, for I am holy." exhorts the Lord. Yes, wrong thoughts or images can flash through our minds but we are the ones who controls what stays there. It is false to say that a man is more tempted than women are, I believe, unfortunately, we all are tempted in our own ways. 

  Wives, we need to protect the marriage bed from becoming defiled, this includes thinking wrong thoughts and/or thinking about others. We shouldn't be thinking about other men--period. That also includes men in novels, movies real life or fantasy. Just because you are thinking about it in your mind where no one knows about it, does not mean that it is not sin! It is just as dangerous and sinful. 

 Most importantly is to teach ourselves and our sons and daughters the tools of self-control against images seek to grasp their souls and rule them. 

 Train them to look away, teach them to not pull up images in their minds, give them the weapons of warfare-- Scripture regarding impurity and holiness, talk to them about grace, mercy and compassion on those who are partaking in such things. 

Teach them what they should be looking for in a spouse (godliness, meekness, character, humble, etc). Point to living examples around you so they know godly people exist and that they can also live in a pure way. 

Pray together as a family for things you've seen and/or talk about what you have been exposed to in the day. 

  And before you train your children, be sure to train yourself first! Talk to your husband and share what you can do to make purity a priority in your family--for you are both their primary examples, what they see you both do, they will also do. Be sure of it.

14 comments:

~Tammy~ said...

Dear Mrs. June,

I love to read, and have switched from wordly romance novels to the "Christian" ones.

I understand what you are saying, but could you please do this book lover a favor and either send me or post a list of good books to read in my spare time?

Thanks and blessin's,
Tammy

Tiffany said...

This is so true and something I think about all the time with two small children. ~Blessings on your day!

Dawn said...

Amen...what a blessed post you did!

I was just thinking last night about the Scripture where Jesus says 'Be ye holy for I am holy'.

You know, our world has become so twisted...what used to be wrong and immoral is not right and moral. But what used to be moral is not considered legalistic, outdated, old fashioned.

It literally blows my mind...

We can't even go to Wal-Mart or Target anymore without seeing flesh and skin and fat rolls hanging out... (lol).
We see men's boxer shorts hanging out his rear because he's too cheap to buy a belt to hold up his droopy jeans. (Yes I know that's considered 'cool' these days, I just find it discusting).

And we, the modestly dressed families get stared at like we have toilet paper on our shoe or spinach between our teeth.

My hubby and I don't have children yet but we find it hard ourselves to keep our eyes pure just when going out and about.

No one seems to have shame anymore.

But we as Christians can do our best to guard our hearts, our eyes, and the eyes of our family the best we can.
We can't just take a backseat to purity like the world would have us want.

Well I am just rattling now and not seeming to make any sense. :)
I think I will go...lol.

God Bless You!
Dawn

Chalieg said...

Thank you for your wonderful thoughts! I am always trying to encourage modesty in my own children but forget to evaluate myself sometimes. I love to be able to show my children other blogs as well as my own to show them that I'm not the only one who beleives in modesty and godly womanhood. Thank you for being another light out there!

Thespia said...

Do you really think it's wrong to have a model in underwear? Like the JC Penney catalog?

Anonymous said...

Hello June,

This is a personal comment not intended to be published...

I have been reading your blog for some time now and look forward to your postings.

I would love to have you as a guest at my blog (beyondthegarden.org) on the topic of 'what to do if your daughter is not interested in domestics'. How to reach the heart of that child and so forth.

You can contact me through the contact page of through my personal email which is x_quisit_1 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Thank you so much for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Lori

Linda said...

First off.. I totally agree with your post. Impurity is just EVERYWHERE these days.. it's not enough to just be careful about tv and internet, it's literally everywhere..

And this has nothing to do with the post, but I absolutely LOVE your new lay-out! :) It looks...... very scrapbook-ish! ;)

greetings from the netherlands!

Sarah Mae said...

I think it is especially hard because even as a Christian wanting to live pure I feel like much of the time I'm going against the Christian flow! Do you know what I mean? I look at the women in my church (not to mention their kids) and see a low priority on modesty. Sometimes it makes it hard to stand my ground. I also struggle with the "it's not so bad, I'm fine" when it comes to t.v. Thanks for your sober reminder.

Anonymous said...

Lamplighter Publishing has wonderful, God-honoring books that I have enjoyed for many years. They have books for all ages and genres. I'm sure you will be blessed by their offerings!

Yvonne

June Fuentes @ A Wise Woman Builds Her Home said...

Dear Amy Smarty,

Yes, I do! I think they can be more discreet in selling undergarments and underwear. We don't need to see them on someone to get the idea of what they look like---especially tempting to our sons, brothers and husbands as well--it is equivalent to opening a bikini magazine or playboy--it conjures up the same types of temptations. I know that many other things could also do that, but this is just too obvious.

*********************

Lori,

I think I had tried emailing you before--I will try again so we can talk about this! Thanks for thinking of me...

***********************

Linda,

Thanks for commenting on the template, not sure if I will keep it though, but good to hear positive feedback. I am still working on it so pardon the dust around here!

**********************

Sara Mae,

You might feel alone but remember to hold onto your high standards--also ask that the Lord would bring godly examples in your life so you won't be discouraged--He was faithful to do that in mine. Also remember to have overflowing grace on those who are 'not there yet'. Hope your mom is doing better...

*********************

Dear Anonymous,

My daughter LOVES the Lamplighters and hopes to collect as many as she can---I agree they are quite a blessing. For those who are looking for great reading material you can find these wonderfully antiquated books that will enthrall your older children at visionforum.com

Many blessings...

Anonymous said...

Dear Mrs. June~
I love reading your blog. It is so uplifting to my soul, and beautiful. I try to dress, and behave in a modest fashion. My husband teases me about my dresses and aprons. With 6 sons and 3 daughters I want them all to dress in a modest and attractive fashion. They think I'm a little strict sometimes, but when you can't go anywhere without inappropriate (clothing) it's difficult.

Mary said...

Very well said.

BeckyJ said...

Great article! One question I have is how to handle family/friend situations where some who are present may be dressed inappropriately? This usually happens with non-believer's, but can on occasion happen with believers. Do you leave, say something in private, just instruct the youth to look away or what? ~Thanks

June Fuentes @ A Wise Woman Builds Her Home said...

Dear BJ,

I am in the midst of teaching my children to look away from people who are immodest. You would be surprised by how much they notice, they always tell me if they noticed someone was in private. We need to be careful here though---so that they don't become judgmental but instead pray for the person instead.

It is difficult bringing up the topic of modesty but there are ways--such as casually bringing it up in conversation without directing it towards the person. It is definitely something that would need to be prayed over and with the use of graceful and kind words. Ask the Lord to direct you if you should say something or not.

I'll be praying for you.

Many blessings...

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