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There are many factors involved in guiding our kids and helping to keep them pure. The following are things that I feel are VITAL if we want to help our kids stay pure:
1. The Bible must be in their thinking
God’s Word cleanses, and keeps us from sin. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, He responded with Scripture. I mention this often in my posts, but it is something we need to be reminded of often – we need to get our kids into God’s Word, and get His Word into their hearts and minds!
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” II Timothy 3:16
From a young age have them read it, memorize it, and sing it. Use God’s Word for correction, and answers to their problems.
RELATED: 4 TIPS FOR TEACHING GOD’S WORD TO OUR CHILDREN
2. Separation
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” Psalm 1:1
We need to teach our kids to separate and stay away from evil, to love what God loves – righteousness, and hate evil as God does.
3. Character Training
Helping our kids develop strong Godly character will help them in many areas of life, and purity is one of them.
Study wisdom vs. foolishness, teach them discernment, obedience, self-control, etc. The ability to say no in other areas will carry over to sexual purity.
4. Prayer
Make a commitment to pray daily for your children. Pray Scripture for more power in your prayer. God’s Word is a weapon, and has power our words don’t have.
In closing, I’m going to share the following from the book Passionate Parenting, where Cary Schmidt gives the two great protectors of purity:
There are two things that will serve as great protectors of your child’s purity. Remember them diligently.
The first thing that protects purity is the truth. Kids need the truth in this area. The whole world is screaming lies into their minds all day every day, and those who know the truth are silent. On the DECEPTIVE side of the information flow, there is a constant flood of noise. On the TRUTHFUL side of the information flow there is silence and hesitation. No wonder our teens are destroying their lives sexually.
The second thing that protects purity is approachable parents. What could be more biblical than a seeking teen, desiring God’s truth, approaching a sincere parent who can give a thoughtful, sensitive, unashamed explanation of information that they need to help them resist youthful lusts? It’s a great honor and privilege to be able to instruct your children in such a wonderful marital gift from God.
Decide today to do all you can in these areas to teach and prepare your children. It will involve time, work, and prayer but our kids’ purity is worth it!
(Previous posts on purity: Keeping Our Kids Pure and 4 Things To Teach Our Kids About Purity)
Thanks so much for this!
I definitely agree that a HUGE factor in keeping children pure is approachable parents, and I’m so glad that you mention that. I think that often, especially in Christian families where certain things should just be “understood,” we cut off essential conversations that will help our children in their most needing times. But if we continue to be approachable for them, we can be more influential for them than their own peers (hopefully).
You have shared excellent points on this topic, Kathie. Summing it up with the importance of ‘truth’ and being an ‘approachable parent’ is wonderful! We can lay down all the rules we want, give all the advice, read them all the scripture – but without these, the message may not get through. I’m book marking this – thanks!
Excellent post with a lot of great points. Will head over to reading the posts behind your links now 🙂
Living as a godly family and teaching our kids truths about biblical living has been on my heart lately. I have been writing about it in my series Being the Family God Called You to Be. This is a good post reminding us of the guidance we need to give our kids. Thanks for sharing at Essential Fridays.
Oh yes, we’ve got to get that Word into their hearts! And prayer is just so very important as well as talking with our children. And not just talking with them once either, but having many conversations over the years about the importance of it! Not just physical purity but spiritual purity and emotional as well. Guarding their hearts and their minds, as well as their bodies, and not defrauding or dishonoring any girl.
Thanks for linking up to Making Your Home Sing Monday!
Great article. Just want to mention also…I think a big problem is that parents don’t approach their child (when they are old enough) and teach them about abstinence and God’s expectations for purity. I think if you wait for the child to approach you, that may or may not ever happen…or it could be too late when it does.