LONG ago, the prophet Malachi was inspired to foretell a time when the conduct of God's people would stand in dramatic contrast with that of people who do not serve God. The prophet wrote: "You people will again certainly see the distinction between a righteous one and a wicked one, between one serving God and one who has not served him." (Malachi 3:18) That prophecy is being fulfilled today. The keeping of God's commandments, including those requiring moral cleanness, is the wise and proper course in life. Yet, it is not always an easy course. For good reason, Jesus said that Christians must exert themselves vigorously to gain salvation. -Luke 13:23, 24.
Why is it difficult to remain morally chaste? One reason is that there are external pressures. The entertainment industry portrays illicit sex as glamorous, pleasurable and adult, while virtually ignoring its negative consequences. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Most of the intimate relations portrayed are between couples not married to each other. Often movies and television shows depict sexual relations in a context of casual, noncommitted relationships. Typically, warmth and mutual respect are lacking. Many have been exposed to such messages from childhood. Moreover,there is strong peer pressure to conform to today's liberal moral climate, and those who do not are sometimes mocked or even reviled. -1 Peter 4:4.
Internal pressure also makes it difficult to remain morally chaste. Jehovah crested humans with sexual desires, and those desires can be strong. Desire has a lot to do with what we think, and immorality is linked to thinking that does not harmonize with Jehovah's thoughts. (James 1:14, 15) For example, according to recent survey published in the British Medical Journal, many who engaged in sexual intercourse for the first time were merely curious to find out what sex was like. Others believe that most people their age were sexually active, so they too wanted to lose their virginity. Still, others said that they got carried away by their feelings or were 'a bit drunk at the time." If we want to be pleasing to God,w e must reason differently. What sort of thinking will help us to maintain moral cleanness?
Next time: Build Strong Convictions
Watchtower, 2000
Showing posts with label In Moral Integrity You Can Set an Excellent Example. Show all posts
Showing posts with label In Moral Integrity You Can Set an Excellent Example. Show all posts
7.02.2011
A GODLY VIEW OF MORAL CLEANNESS
A Chaste Young Woman
A third integrity keeper was a Shulammite maiden. Young and beautiful, she attracted the affections of not only a shepherd boy but also the wealthy king of Israel, Solomon. Throughout the beautiful story told in the Song of Solomon, the Shulammite remained chaste, thus earning the respect of those around her. Solomon, though rejected by her, was inspired to record her story. The shepherd she loved also respected her chaste conduct. At one point he mused that the Shulammite was like "a garden barred in." (Song of Solomon 4:12) In ancient Israel, beautiful gardens contained a delightful variety of vegetables, fragrant flowers, and stately trees. Such gardens were typically enclosed by a hedge or a wall that cold be entered only through a locked gate. (Isaiah 5:5) To the shepherd, the Shulammite's moral purity and loveliness were like such a garden of rare beauty. She was completely chaste. Her tender affections would be available only to her future husband.
In moral integrity, the Shulammite set an excellent example for Christian women today. Jehovah saw and appreciated the virtue of the Shulammite girl and blessed her just as he blessed Joseph and Job. For our guidance, their acts of integrity are recorded in God's Word. While our efforts to keep integrity today are not recorded in the Bible, Jehovah has a "book of remembrance" for those seeking to do his will. Let us never forget that Jehovah is "paying attention" and rejoices as we loyally strive to keep morally clean. -Malachi 3:16.
Although those without faith may scoff, we rejoice in our obedience to our loving Creator. We have a higher morality, a godly morality. It is something to be proud of, something to treasure. By maintaining a clean moral standing, we can delight in God's blessing and can maintain a bright hope of endless future blessings. In a practical sense, though, what can we do to remain morally clean? The next article will discuss this important question.
Next time: YOU CAN REMAIN MORALLY CLEAN
Watchtower, 2000
A third integrity keeper was a Shulammite maiden. Young and beautiful, she attracted the affections of not only a shepherd boy but also the wealthy king of Israel, Solomon. Throughout the beautiful story told in the Song of Solomon, the Shulammite remained chaste, thus earning the respect of those around her. Solomon, though rejected by her, was inspired to record her story. The shepherd she loved also respected her chaste conduct. At one point he mused that the Shulammite was like "a garden barred in." (Song of Solomon 4:12) In ancient Israel, beautiful gardens contained a delightful variety of vegetables, fragrant flowers, and stately trees. Such gardens were typically enclosed by a hedge or a wall that cold be entered only through a locked gate. (Isaiah 5:5) To the shepherd, the Shulammite's moral purity and loveliness were like such a garden of rare beauty. She was completely chaste. Her tender affections would be available only to her future husband.
In moral integrity, the Shulammite set an excellent example for Christian women today. Jehovah saw and appreciated the virtue of the Shulammite girl and blessed her just as he blessed Joseph and Job. For our guidance, their acts of integrity are recorded in God's Word. While our efforts to keep integrity today are not recorded in the Bible, Jehovah has a "book of remembrance" for those seeking to do his will. Let us never forget that Jehovah is "paying attention" and rejoices as we loyally strive to keep morally clean. -Malachi 3:16.
Although those without faith may scoff, we rejoice in our obedience to our loving Creator. We have a higher morality, a godly morality. It is something to be proud of, something to treasure. By maintaining a clean moral standing, we can delight in God's blessing and can maintain a bright hope of endless future blessings. In a practical sense, though, what can we do to remain morally clean? The next article will discuss this important question.
Next time: YOU CAN REMAIN MORALLY CLEAN
Watchtower, 2000
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