Purity has been something that people have highlighted the most about me, but it has also been something that I've struggled with the most. In one regard it may be one of my greatest strengths, in another, it may be one of the greatest battlefields I find myself on. But ultimately I believe purity is one the greatest things that God has given us to steward.
I haven't always walked in purity, but I'm learning to walk in purity every day. Truth be told, I had my first boyfriend this year but I kissed for the first time at age 16 (against my will) and progressed from there for a few years. And the more I fell, the more impossible it seemed to change my ways. I knew what was right but felt stuck. What I found was that my heart was hungry for attention and for love, and instead of turning to Jesus to fill my heart, I looked to guys to satisfy. No human being can ever satisfy the parts of your heart that are intended for God to satisfy. Yes, God uses people to meet needs in your heart, but ultimately it is God and God alone who will fully satisfy your heart!
I didn't know how to turn to God for affection because a human being could hug me, but how do I hug a God that I can't see? I've realized one of my love languages is physical touch, and so I LOVE hugs, I LOVE physical touch. And you know what? That's not a bad thing!!! I just need to set boundaries. Boundaries are completely healthy and, in my opinion, necessary. Boundaries aren't created just to be "rules"- but they're a means of guarding your heart so that your heart can truly thrive and flourish. You know your worth and so you don't let just anyone into your garden where they can walk on and crush the flowers that have been so carefully taken care of. YOU MATTER! YOU DESERVE TO BE PROTECTED AND HONORED.
You have to know who you are, know your worth and know your values in order to set up boundaries. As I discover who I am, especially who I am to Jesus, I realize more and more my worth. I haven't done a good job of guarding my heart, but praise the Lord that He is jealous for my heart and has really guarded and protected my heart. The truth is, I'm a daughter of God. You are a child of God. Yeah, I mess up A LOT, but oh have I been bought in FULL by the blood of the Lamb! YOU have been bought in FULL by the blood of the Lamb and YOU ARE LOVED!
It doesn't matter what you've done, where you've been, who you've been with or any of that- you are new in Jesus- He has fully restored you. I know this because the Lord has fully restored me, and not just that- but He has called me to be His Beloved Bride. What a joy it is to be loved by Jesus. We are loved by Jesus. The beauty of His love and grace is that, while it's undeserved, it's freely given and all we need to do is receive it!
So I'm not sure what your view on purity is. But know that no matter what you have done in the past, today you are pure, today you are restored, today you are whole. The old has passed away and the new has come. I was definitely broken and pursuing false lovers, but by the kindness of Christ, He has beckoned me to return to Him and has not only embraced me, but has replaced my tattered rags with the most beautiful gown. He has washed over me with His blood and has adorned me with His beauty. He has done the same for you. He has placed the most beautiful crown upon your head and He calls you His Beloved Bride. You are pure in His eyes and you are pure in my eyes. Be encouraged and choose to walk in purity because you are that precious and that valuable.
I haven't always walked in purity, but I'm learning to walk in purity every day. Truth be told, I had my first boyfriend this year but I kissed for the first time at age 16 (against my will) and progressed from there for a few years. And the more I fell, the more impossible it seemed to change my ways. I knew what was right but felt stuck. What I found was that my heart was hungry for attention and for love, and instead of turning to Jesus to fill my heart, I looked to guys to satisfy. No human being can ever satisfy the parts of your heart that are intended for God to satisfy. Yes, God uses people to meet needs in your heart, but ultimately it is God and God alone who will fully satisfy your heart!
I didn't know how to turn to God for affection because a human being could hug me, but how do I hug a God that I can't see? I've realized one of my love languages is physical touch, and so I LOVE hugs, I LOVE physical touch. And you know what? That's not a bad thing!!! I just need to set boundaries. Boundaries are completely healthy and, in my opinion, necessary. Boundaries aren't created just to be "rules"- but they're a means of guarding your heart so that your heart can truly thrive and flourish. You know your worth and so you don't let just anyone into your garden where they can walk on and crush the flowers that have been so carefully taken care of. YOU MATTER! YOU DESERVE TO BE PROTECTED AND HONORED.
You have to know who you are, know your worth and know your values in order to set up boundaries. As I discover who I am, especially who I am to Jesus, I realize more and more my worth. I haven't done a good job of guarding my heart, but praise the Lord that He is jealous for my heart and has really guarded and protected my heart. The truth is, I'm a daughter of God. You are a child of God. Yeah, I mess up A LOT, but oh have I been bought in FULL by the blood of the Lamb! YOU have been bought in FULL by the blood of the Lamb and YOU ARE LOVED!
It doesn't matter what you've done, where you've been, who you've been with or any of that- you are new in Jesus- He has fully restored you. I know this because the Lord has fully restored me, and not just that- but He has called me to be His Beloved Bride. What a joy it is to be loved by Jesus. We are loved by Jesus. The beauty of His love and grace is that, while it's undeserved, it's freely given and all we need to do is receive it!
So I'm not sure what your view on purity is. But know that no matter what you have done in the past, today you are pure, today you are restored, today you are whole. The old has passed away and the new has come. I was definitely broken and pursuing false lovers, but by the kindness of Christ, He has beckoned me to return to Him and has not only embraced me, but has replaced my tattered rags with the most beautiful gown. He has washed over me with His blood and has adorned me with His beauty. He has done the same for you. He has placed the most beautiful crown upon your head and He calls you His Beloved Bride. You are pure in His eyes and you are pure in my eyes. Be encouraged and choose to walk in purity because you are that precious and that valuable.