Counsel #5 — Intentional Choices With God’s Help

Picture: Counsel #5 — INTENTIONAL CHOICES WITH GOD’S HELPCR 108.1

You may ask, “How can I maintain sexual purity in the 21^st century, in our sex-saturated culture, with temptations to indulge unrestrained lust on every side?”

Here are some suggestions: avoid places that invite and promote moral collapse (this might include being alone with another person in various environments, as well as music, movies, and other media that promote unmarried sex). Actively choose to not read, see, or hear anything that suggests impure thoughts. And ask God for help, for without Him, all our resolutions are like ropes of sand (John 15:5).^{[102]https://adventistreview.org/magazine-article/god-has-a-plan-for-that/}CR 108.2

“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22 NKJVCR 108.3

“God’s invitation comes to each youth, ‘My [child], give Me thine heart; I will keep it pure; I will satisfy its longings with true happiness.’ God loves to make the youth happy, and that is why He would have them give their hearts into His keeping, that all the God-given faculties of the being may be kept in a vigorous, healthful condition.“ Ellen White in Messages to Young People, pp. 408, 409 CR 108.4

Reflect: How can you be intentional in guarding your heart and mind from sexual temptation?CR 108.5