THURSDAY, MAY 25
1 Corinthians 5:1
Ephesians 5:3

"To be discreet, chaste…"

CHASTE RELATIONSHIPS (II)

As church leaders strive to follow the biblical injunction to maintain chaste relationships, fellowship group leaders and congregational members are to do likewise. Firstly, let all men be careful in their conversations with ladies. Hands off the opposite sex! To the young men, flee youthful lusts. To the married men, your dedication must be to your own wife. Be a one-woman man. Guard your conversations over WhatsApp, email or any social media. You are not to tempt any woman into indiscretion. Do not fetch any woman alone in your car, unless she is your mother, wife or daughter. Have another person to accompany you so that there will be no temptation or accusation. If there is no choice, either help the lady to get a taxi or let her sit in the back seat. Be clean and transparent in everything.

Likewise, the ladies are to play their part in maintaining chaste relationships. You have the Christian duty not to lead the men into temptation. Dress modestly. Do not touch the men carelessly. Heed the following biblical injunctions: "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works" (1 Tim 2:9-10).

Dear brethren, let us be careful to maintain chaste relationships. Men, be a true Christian gentleman and protect the chastity of the ladies. Ladies, do not tempt the men but let your life adorn the beauty of Christ. Do not treat the Seventh Commandment lightly. "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor 10:12). "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints" (Eph 5:3).

THOUGHT: "Abstain from all appearance of evil" (1 Thess 5:22).
PRAYER: Lord, guard me from all sexual temptations!