Defending Your Faith Network

by Leslie Ludy

Dressing modestly (and fashionably) these days is an art form. Most of us aren’t willing to make the extra effort to overcome the challenges and dress with grace, mystique, and dignity. Add to that our desire to be found appealing to the opposite sex, and we end up with dismally low standards for the way we dress. We know that we’ll get more attention from guys in form-fitting tops, tight pants, and short skirts. And it’s all too tempting to rationalize immodesty because “at least this outfit isn’t as bad as a lot of things I could wear.” We think that as long as we aren’t going topless on the beach, we have an element of modesty. But what is God’s standard?

“I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly”

(1 Tim. 2:9 NASB)

The word modestly literally means “with shame and bashfulness.” In other words, not shamelessly flaunting our bodies, but exuding a sense of careful dignity and guardedness, even in the way we dress...

Resist the Devil 
by Leslie Ludy

A young woman named Kelsie once told me, “I feel like I’m getting body-slammed by God and now I am beaten-down and covered with bruises.” Kelsie might have been getting body-slammed, but it wasn’t God’s doing. Look at what Scripture says God is:
 
He is my Portion (Psalm 73:26), my Maker, my Husband (Isaiah 54:5), my Well-beloved (Song of Solomon 1:13), my Savior (2 Peter 3:18), my Hope (1 Timothy 1:1), my Brother (Mark 3:35), my Helper (Hebrews 13:6), my Physician (Jeremiah 8:22), my Healer (Luke 9:11), my Refiner (Malachi 3:3), my Purifier (Malachi 3:3), my Lord, my Master (John 13:13), my Servant (Luke 12:37), my Example (John 13:15), my Teacher (John 3:2), my Shepherd (Psalm 23:1), my Keeper (John 17:12), my Feeder (Ezekiel 34:23), my Leader (Isaiah 40:11), my Restorer (Psalm 23:3), my Resting-place (Jeremiah 50:6), my Meat (John 6:55), my Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7), my Peace (Ephesians 2:14), my Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30), my Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30), my Sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30), my Redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30), and my All in All (Colossians 3:11). 

Most of us don’t allow Him to be all of those things to us. In fact, many of us see Christ as the opposite of a gentle, loving, merciful Shepherd who is faithful to meet our every need.
 
Kelsie’s statement doesn’t seem to fit with what the Bible describes Jesus to be. Our King doesn’t show violence toward His children or leave them full of bruises. He is goodness and love personified. If we are being spiritually body-slammed, we can be assured that it is not coming from the Prince of Peace, but from the prince of darkness. All too often when the enemy attacks us with darkness and confusion, we assume that our Lord is causing or allowing it. But in reality we are attributing something to God that is completely contrary to His nature.
 
If anyone fiercely assails you it will not be from Me (Isaiah 54:15 NASB)
 

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Feel a little out of control right now? 
Could you use some encouragement?

The Sacred Creed
of the set apart woman

I'm only 14, I'll be 15 in two months, but then again, Satan isn't thinking about your age when he goes out to steal, kill, and destroy. He's only thinking of how he can make you less of a threat to God's kingdom. And that's what he's tried to do to me this past year. Satan has lied to my face so many times and told me this one guy loves me, that it's OK to hug him and this and that, and I almost gave in. Then God reminded me of the promise I made to Him to stay sexually pure, not just abstinent.

I'd like everyone who has made this True Love Waits commitment to know that it is not just about abstaining from sex, it's about being sexually pure. Just because you abstain from sex doesn't mean you are sexually pure. Your purity starts from inside of you, in your heart and in your mind. As Paul encourages all believers in Philippians 4:8, "Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." And I encourage you to do the same: to keep your heart and mind pure always.
Mel

Randy Alcorn says that if you ask the enlightened American today what he thinks of Christian sexual morality, he’ll tell you "it’s a fossil, an antique outdated, who believes what the Bible says about sex?” 

"I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl. For what is man's lot from God above, his heritage from the Almighty on high? Is it not ruin for the wicked, disaster for those who do wrong? Does he not see my ways and count my every step? If I have walked in falsehood or my foot has hurried after deceit—let God weigh me in honest scales and he will know that I am blameless—if my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has been led by my eyes, or if my hands have been defiled, then may others eat what I have sown, and may my crops be uprooted. If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor's door, then may my wife grind another man's grain, and may other men sleep with her. For that would have been shameful, a sin to be judged. It is a fire that burns to Destruction; it would have uprooted my harvest." 
Job 31:1-12  

Resources For Sexual Purity by Randy Alcorn

How Much Do I Need to Know About My Potential Spouse’s Sexual Past?

I wanted you and the rest of the crew to know that the message you sent Saturday night possibly saved my life. I kinda gave God the silent treatment for awhile after I got raped. I don’t know where I’ll end up, but I know since Saturday that I’m on the right track. Thanks so much for everything.
Christina

“My Promise”  

I know that we have not yet met,
But I’ve made you a promise,
that I won’t forget.  
This promise I’ve made, is made for you.
This promise I’ve made is tried and true. 
God helped me along, and showed me the way.
Told me to wait for you, and not fall astray. 
So I refuse to conform to a world built on sex, 
that simply isn’t for me, my values won’t flex. 
The symbol of my promise,
is the silver ring on my hand. 
This promise will hold true, 
till I wear your wedding band. 
I love you already, and will for all my life.
That’s why I’m staying pure, 
till I’m your sole mate, your wife.
Julie

All my life my mom has been my biggest hero. She got married again, and this guy was emotionally abusive. I started doing drugs…. Then heard about your program where you could get a ring as a sign of your virginity. It was the one thing that I still had that I was so absolutely proud of. I got my ring and I have worn it every day since. I know where I’m going now. You guys came at just the right time.
Liz

My name is Jen, and I am a sophomore. I am a virgin and I plan to be one until the day I marry. Until I had my first boyfriend, I learned that staying sexually pure is more than simply not having sex. So many teens, even some of my Christian friends, "play with fire" and do many intimate things. There are many steps between attraction and sex. God wants me to live a chaste life, which is a tough choice.

I don't like saying I want to be "abstinent" because that term is usually used to deny yourself pleasures, which makes it seem like it is a burden. Rather, I say I want to live a life of chastity and pureness. I embrace my virginity! You can lose your virginity in a second and never get it back again. It is a precious gift from God. Never compromise your values.
Jen

I want to thank you for your service to the Lord, my life has been changed! I've made a covenant with my family, myself, and most importantly to God that until the day that I say "I do" I will NOT compromise my purity for anyone!!!!  Not only that, but other girls were ready to make or continue their commitment to living a lifestyle of purity!  Thank you so much for allowing the Holy Spirit to use you and God bless you!!!!!
Ashley
Attended a Pure Freedom Event

I was raised in a very strong Christian home with high standards. My parents have always been very supportive of me and very involved in my life, but they never talked to me about being sexually pure. They took me to a True Love Waits banquet in the winter of my freshman year. I knew that sexual purity was important, but I was never really challenged to keep the commitment until my senior year in high school. I was not close to God at the time because I was not being challenged in my faith. My boyfriend and I were together for over a year and he was not a spiritual leader. We had sex right after we got to college, even though we were not sexually pure before that time. I knew I didn't love him, but I was caught up in the moment. Shortly after we had sex, we broke up. The guilt and pain was overwhelming and I had many regrets. Even though I know I am forgiven by my Father in heaven, the pain and grief still exist. I encourage those struggling with sexual purity everywhere to wait until marriage to completely give themselves physically and emotionally, because there IS pain involved and there IS attachment. I unfortunately had to learn the hard way. I have been there; I know what it's like to lose it all and I don't want to go back.

I rededicated my True Love Waits commitment on my 18th birthday, right after that relationship ended; and this time, I really want to keep it. I hope I can make an impact on others who are struggling with this issue. I am so glad that there is such a program designed to help youth stay sexually pure. Not only do these sins produce guilt and pain, but also they involuntarily affect others around us. It is never too late to turn back because Jesus will always accept us with open arms.
Brittany