WEDNESDAY, MAY 24
1 Corinthians 5:1
1 Timothy 5:2b

"That ye abstain from…
fornication…"

CHASTE RELATIONSHIPS (I)

In a recent newspaper publication, there were reports of inappropriate games or activities conducted during a university’s orientation programme. These involved men humiliating female undergraduates through actions that were sexually suggestive and inappropriate. While some were critical of these activities, many chose to defend these games, with some even suggesting that they were necessary elements and traditions of the university’s orientation programme.

In these perilous times, Christians must all the more be careful to maintain chaste relationships with those of the opposite sex. Sadly, sexual sins continue to pervade the church. Even pastors have succumbed to sexual sins. How often we read of church leaders who have fallen because of such transgressions! They often start as "counselling" sessions, but the "counsellor" and the "counsellee" ended up committing adultery. Beware! The Apostle Paul warned young pastor Timothy of such dangers. With regard to younger women, Paul instructed Timothy to minister "with all purity" (en pasēi hagneiāi). The term "hagneiāi" carries the idea of moral purity and chastity. Thus, the expression is a warning not just against any act of immorality, but also any breach of propriety. Kent rightly noted that "even if immorality is not involved, thoughtlessness or indiscretion will ruin the ministry of any pastor, regardless of his eloquence." Tragically, the indiscretions of many men have caused them to lose their usefulness when they could have been fruitful in their service for the Lord Jesus Christ!

Every pastor and church leader must endeavour to protect the women in the church from falling into sexual transgression the way he would protect his own sister. He must spare no effort to ensure that there is no hint or suggestion of impropriety between him and any woman. "Abstain from all appearance of evil" (1 Thess 5:22).

THOUGHT: Maintain chaste relationships with the opposite sex.
PRAYER: Lord, keep me pure from sexual sin.