Staying Pure in a World that Screams, Give Yourself Away!

PURITY what is it? It is defined as a noun that means the following:

The condition or quality of being pure; freedom from anything that debases, contaminates, pollutes, etc.: the purity of drinking water.

If we look around us we see all types of negative imagery and ideas that have the potential to contaminate us(images of women and men completely naked in movies or pornography,violence,abusive or friendly sexual relationships that suggest abuse or casual sex is the way to happiness etc.)These images and ideas affect behavior and pollute our minds and bodies. They have seductive and deceptive qualities that lure us and causes us to internalize mistaken beliefs about real intimacy. They cause us to believe falsely that fantasy can be reality, but more often than not reality has it's consequences. Take a look at these statistics:

1. Each year one-quarter of the estimated 12 million new cases of STDs, other than HIV, in the U.S. occur among teenagers.

2. There are an estimated 1 million new cases of genital herpes each year. That's about 1 out of every 4 people.

3. More than 1 million American teenagers become pregnant each year – one of the highest rates of any western industrialized country.

4. Traumatic Masturbatory Syndrome (TMS) is a disorder, often developed by men who engage to frequently in masturbation practices (ex. looking at porn etc.). It results in the inability to orgasm during regular healthy sexual activity.

*The information above was provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov)

The purpose of listing these facts above is not to scare you, but to help you think before acting. Even if you do not develop an STD or other sexual dysfunction problems, the emotional damage that can occur from living a fantasy is just as painful. Please guard your hearts ladies, for out of it is a Spring of life, be real with yourself and your partner. If you are interested in reading more about Purity, here are some book recommendations:

1. Before You Meet Prince Charming: A Guide to Radiant Purity
by Sarah Mally

2. Lady in Waiting by Jackie Kendell and Debby Jones

3. Authentic Beauty: The Shaping... Authentic Beauty: The Shaping of a Set-Apart Young Woman
by Leslie Ludy

4. And the Bride Wore White: Seven Secrets to Sexual Purity
by Dannah Gresh, Gresh