Chastity: A Biblical Foundation for Purity and Holiness

Chastity encompasses both innocence and virtue, representing a fundamental aspect of Christian living that extends beyond physical purity to include mental and spiritual wholeness.

Physical and Mental Purity

Often relating to physically being a virgin or not having sexual intercourse except with one's married spouse, in a faithful relationship (1 Cor 7:2-5). Mentally it is "Not looking lustfully at a girl" and young men are urged to treat all women with purity (Job 31:1; 1 Tim 5:2).

God says, 'Be holy' – 1 Peter 1:16

The Temple of the Holy Spirit

Jesus said being lustfully captivated by a female's body is sin as it is mental adultery (Prov 6:25; Mt 5:28). Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and so there must not be any hint of immorality with any sexual activity outside a one-man-one-woman covenant marriage is sin (1 Cor 6:13-20; 2 Cor 12:21; Eph 5:3-8; Heb 13:4).

Guarding Heart and Mind

Not taking a second look at 'forbidden fruit' is an area we all must work on to keep ourselves pure. We are to be self-disciplined and set boundaries of integrity that with God's help we will not cross and "do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature...but take captive wrong thoughts" so they will not be outworked (Rom 13:14; 2 Cor 10:5).

Chastity or living pure lives does not just relate to our behaviour with the opposite sex but should extend to every facet of life, "setting an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Tim 3:1-13, 4:12). As believers, we are called to practice chastity by honouring the Lord with our bodies and minds, understanding we are to guard our hearts more than any treasure for from here comes the wrong desires (Prov 4:23, Mt 15:18,19; Col 3:17).

Reflection and Application:

Consider how you guard your thoughts and eyes from lustful temptations in daily life
Evaluate the boundaries you have set to maintain purity in relationships
Reflect on how you honor God with your body as His temple
Examine areas where chastity can extend beyond physical purity to mental and spiritual wholeness