Temptations and Purity
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." —1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
Temptation
Temptation is the urge to sin. Because we are born with a sin nature, human beings are naturally inclined toward sin. Everyone feels the urge to sin at some point because sinning gives us tangible, yet fleeting, benefits at the cost of moral and spiritual ones. Teens are often tempted or pressured by peers into doing things they might not consider otherwise. Some of the temptations surrounding teenagers include alcohol, drugs, and sex (including pornography). The lesson today will focus on sexual temptations and remaining pure.
"And he said to his disciples, 'Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!'" —Luke 17:1 (ESV)
Peer Pressure
Peers are those people who are similar in age, ability, or social position. If you are in ninth grade, your peers are other ninth-grade students. If you are on a team or in a church youth group, your peers are the other members of the team or youth group. Your peers can encourage you to do good things like helping those in need, trying new things, studying for a test, doing something fun, or just relaxing. When a social interaction pushes a person to do an activity that is beneficial, good, and right, it is called positive peer pressure. But your peers can just as easily try to make you do things that you normally would not do, and things that could potentially harm you. When the pressure to do those things happens, what can you do?
The easiest way to deal with peer pressure (the bad kind, at least) is to avoid it altogether. You can do this by surrounding yourself with people you like, people who like you, and people who like doing things you like to do. If you surround yourself with these sorts of people, you will be much less likely to become a victim of peer pressure. In addition to surrounding yourself with like-minded people, there are other things you can do to avoid negative peer pressure. See below.
Be prepared. Think of possible situations you could face, and plan ways you could say no in those situations.
Avoid. Stay away from places and situations you know could have a negative influence on you or would make you feel uncomfortable.
Stay strong. Do not be afraid to stand up for yourself; this could also help your friends resist temptations.
Seek help. If you feel like you are struggling with peer pressure, seek out someone to talk to (a pastor, a parent, a peer who is strong, etc.).
Trust God and study His Word. When you are committed to reading the Bible, you will learn the verses that can give you strength and comfort.
Memorize Scripture. Jesus defeated the temptation of Satan by quoting Scripture. We can use Scripture as a weapon to defeat temptation in our lives as well.
"And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time." —Luke 4:13 (ESV)
Purity
With the normal hormonal changes occurring during adolescence, you may feel attraction and sexual urges toward the opposite sex. Those feelings have led many teens to show physical displays of affection and/or to form sexual relationships. Lust is the term used to describe sinful desires of a sexual nature. Aside from being against what the Bible teaches, many teens are not emotionally ready for sexual relationships, and the result for many teen girls is an unplanned pregnancy. In addition, both boys and girls are at risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Because of sexual temptation, teens need to have a strategy to reduce the risk of falling into this temptation. Below are seven secrets to maintaining sexual purity.
Know that you were born innocent but were also born into sin, so maintaining purity will be a process. Purity is the process of facing down temptations, healing from sin, and making right choices. It's where we're headed, not where we've begun. "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5, ESV).
Look to the future. Begin writing down the qualities you would like to see in your future spouse and imagine a future with a person with those qualities. Dedicate yourself to that ideal person and to remaining pure for him or her until your wedding day. Always remind yourself that once you "lose" your virginity, you can never get it back.
Know that God values you, and you are His heir. Because He values you, live in a way that honors and glorifies Him; that includes maintaining your purity.
Practice saying no. If you rehearse different scenarios and how you would respond, you will be more likely to respond appropriately and to maintain sexual purity.
Be assured that your value is not found in the opposite gender; the ultimate goal in life is not marriage. Discover the beauty of a true love relationship with Jesus and be willing to protect your love for Him at any cost. This will help protect you from counterfeit loves that will not paint a picture of the love of Christ. God knew you since before you were born, and He knows you intimately better than anyone else. He loves you at all times. "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:13–14, ESV).
Talk to your mother, father, or a trusted Christian adult about sex and sexual relationships.
Make friends with others who are committed to remaining sexually pure. When you have peers who have similar beliefs, you will be able to help each other resist temptations. "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them" (Matthew 18:20, ESV). 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV) also says that "'Bad company ruins good morals.'" This should help you focus on finding like-minded friends.
"But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints." —Ephesians 5:3 (ESV)
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"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God..." —1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 (ESV)