JAS 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Purity Principle:
Does this relationship honor the Word of God?
Am I closer or further from God?
1TH 4:3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
2TI 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
PS 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
EPH 5: 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-- 30 for we are members of his body.
Protection Principle:
Is my heart protected?
Am I honoring my future spouse by not giving any of my heart to another?
DT 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
PR 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
PS 119:10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
Presumption Principle:
Is this person I like equally yoked spiritually?
Am I missionary dating?
2CO 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."
1CO 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
Parental Principle:
Does this relationship honor my parents’ beliefs and standards through personal obedience?
Am I keeping any secrets about this relationship from my parents?
EPH 6:1 (EX 20:12) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise-- 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
COL 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Jim’s RULES FOR SEXUAL PURITY
1. THE LIST: Make a list of what you want in your future husband or wife. Be specific. Be honest. Start with the non-negotiable items such as faith, integrity, or a strong moral character and work from there. Once you have the list as your guide and standard, refuse to date anyone who does not meet all the requirements you listed. The takes the subjective “falling in love” component out of relationships and replaces it with the objective “rising into love” through choosing to love.
2. THE UN-RULE: Honor God you serve by honoring your value system. Never, never unbutton, unsnap, untie, undo, unclip, unbuckle, unwind (lol) or unzip any article of clothing on another person AND do not let them do it to you!…and do not let anyone do those to you. You worship whatever you offer your body to. Romans 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
