WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Exodus 22:16-20
1 Timothy 5:1-2

“… the younger as sisters,
with all purity.”

BE PURE

Exodus 22:16 teaches that if a man entices a single girl, who has not been betrothed to any man, to have sexual relationship with him, then this man must marry the girl. But if the father refuses to let her marry him, this man must pay dowry according to the custom amount for virgins. Every man must be warned against “grooming” a girl to take advantage of her physically. Every man should court a girl with pure motives and with the proper intention of consideration for marriage. This is why students should not be dating yet. Most at that age do not have the maturity, let alone stability to even think about marriage soon. Dating is not a “buffet” spread to taste as many as possible. Dating with sexual intent is very wicked. Fornication is not only sinful but it steals someone’s virginity. That is why the injunction is to get married. Here is not an excuse to simply “pay off” the family today and move on to another girl. The emphasis here is the virginity is the highest prized possession of a girl. You must be responsible to the girl. Girls, beware the enticement of men, and vice versa. Do not be tempted to be alone in places where petting and fornication can occur. Enter into a relationship with clear knowledge of the other’s intent. Fathers should guide and assess objectively too and help to advise their son or daughter alike. Purity of intent and actions are emphasized here. Young men, never be a “groomer.” Girls, beware of being “groomed.” Parents, be watchful too. Watch for physical purity. What is lost cannot be regained. More hateful sexual sins, like bestiality, are highlighted here too.

We are also warned against spiritual impurity. Witchcraft is promoted as harmless fun and even alluring. Harry Potter and other similar books and movies have gripped the hearts of even Christians. God hates such things and commands death. Do not play along with these and do not emulate them like many do at Halloween.

THOUGHT: Physical and spiritual impurity must not be a part of me.
PRAYER: LORD, help me as I seek to be pure in all my ways.