Chastity part 2

I remember first really understanding the concept of chastity when I was a senior in high school. I was in class and the teacher showed us a video on chastity. The video identified a few key concepts of chastity that I can still remember to this day.

The first was the actual meaning of chastity. The online version of miriam webster (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chastity) defines chastity as "purity in conduct and intention". You can unintentionally remain a virgin but you can not unintentionally be chaste. Chastity is much more far reaching than virginity. It extends to many other areas of your life. I believe it is very intimately tied with integrity. You must make an honest accounting of your actions to be a chaste person.

Because chastity is defined both as conduct and intention it demands that you make the effort and thus the decision everyday. Anyone can choose to become chaste. It is never too late or too far. It is not something that can be taken away or lost. It is not something that ends with marriage. Thus it is very different than virginity. It is the value that for single people allows them to be virgins. Because chastity is not defined by an absolute it is easy to believe that it is subjective. That there are varying levels of chastity. However much like honesty this is untrue. You are either honest or dishonest. There is very little gray area in the matter of truth. Likewise there is very little gray area in the matter of chastity. Either your intentions and conduct were pure or they were not.

One of the last points in the vidoe talked about communication with in your body. As a youth or an adult your body begins sending you messages. It can be very confusing and you can believe that because your body is sending you these messages that you are ready to act upon them. However, just because your body is sending you messages does not mean that you are ready to act upon them. Your body is simply letting you know that it is prepared. It does not mean that you are at the right stage or time in your life to act on the signals your body is sending you. This means it is okay to abstain from having a relationship. In fact by doing so you may have the opportunity to do things that you will never have again. Having those experiences, forming deeper friendships and involving yourself in social activities will make you more prepared to enter into a healthy fulfilling relationship. Not having those experiences would be a loss, and not one that you could regain.

I would like to join Susan W Tanner in delighting in the chastity of men and women.

Jacob taught that the Lord delights “in the chastity of women” (Jacob
2:28). I delight in the chastity and purity of all women and men. How it
must grieve the Lord to see virtue violated and modesty mocked on every side
in this wicked world. The Lord has provided for His children great joy
through intimate, loving relationships, as my grandchildren were learning. I
delight in the clarity of the proclamation to the world on the family, which
warns that “individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse
or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day
stand accountable before God.