Youth Displaying Christian Character

Young women, it is very important that you present yourselves in a manner that exhibits acceptable Christian characteristics. You may wonder why this is so important. It is because a young person is "judged" by their actions as well as their speech.

Therefore you should use moderation in your speech as well as your behavior. This is the very first prerequisite of a holy woman. She must be able to use discretion when dealing with others. Words have the ability to enhance. Words can also be used to create an atmosphere of discomfort.

Godly young women should be seen as serene, elegant, and dynamic. If they are married; then there should be a recognizable display of love both for their husbands and their children. This means no drama in the home! Too many times we read about domestic violence. Unruly husbands and cowardly wives unite, making their home an arena of constant turmoil for the children.

In the Bible, Paul expresses the desire for younger women to be taught in a way that exemplifies a chaste and refined standard of living. His teachings which can be found in Titus 2:4, 5 and 1 Timothy 2:9-10 not only deal with the physiological appearance of a well bred young woman but the sociological and psychological aspects as well.

Paul’s list of appropriate attributes includes:

• Temperate
• Loving
• Practicality
• Virtuousness
• Reserved

If you are temperate you know how to shop without going overboard. You can budget the household expenses without having to get a second job. If you are temperate, it means that you are able to spend quality time with your family without feeling that you are “missing out on something.” Please young ladies, you are really undertaking a great responsibility if you desire to marry. This is nothing to take lightly. And, if you desire to remain single, you are still required to have self-control!

The next requirement is that you love your husband and children. A young woman who loves her husband is a jewel to him. Read Proverbs 31:10-31 which honors the virtuous woman (wife.) There is no greater reward for a woman than to be known as virtuous to her family! It is very hard to ignore a loving woman. Not a clingy woman or a woman who cannot make any decisions, but a woman who respects her husband and knows that his success is her success.

To be chaste is to be practical and to use good judgment. Young women, my first admonishment to you is to use good judgment in your selection of a husband. Do not put yourself in a position where you feel obligated to marry someone who is not “in the Lord.” No matter how charming he is, no matter how influential he is, no matter how many times he attends church services, if he is not displaying a godly manner, then run do not walk to the nearest exit! He is not the man for you!

Being virtuous and reserved doesn’t mean that you reside at home with your “nose stuck in your Bible.” It means that you have a desire to be with your family enjoying their company more than being with anyone else. Things are done as a unit and working toward creating an atmosphere of comfort and stability.

While single young women work on a job, go out to lunch with co-workers, go to the shopping mall and/or have a relaxing dinner; married young women also must take into consideration the needs of their husband and later children if harmony is to exist. Your husband may not enjoy your constant visits to the shopping mall or having to eat out frequently (that is if you can really afford it.) Being content with staying at home some of the time, with an occasional night out should be the desire of a married woman. If you feel that this would be too dull a life for you; then you really should reconsider the possibilities of married life.

The expectations of living a holy life may seem cumbersome to nonbelievers; but it is necessary in building Christian character in godly young women.

The subject of promiscuity is not new. It is a debate that has been going on since before the early settlers came to America. You may have heard it said that as long as you use some type of protection against unwanted pregnancy and venereal diseases, it’s permissible. Well, according to the word of God, it is by no means permissible. The sexual act of intimacy is reserved for married couples only. Meaning the act is reserved for husband (man) and wife (woman.) According to God’s standards, these two individuals are the only recognizable
union.

Any other type of existence including co-habitation is strictly forbidden for Christian Young Women!

Sexual promiscuity is classified as the only sin that is against the body. It is ranked in the same category as greed, obscenity, and vulgar joking. All of these things are wrong! You will find little argument that greed is wrong. It has been documented how people have lied, stolen, and even killed because of greed. Obscenity is frown upon as well. Most young people are forbidden from watching movies that are rated “R” because of the vulgar language and obscenity. When society examines sexual promiscuity, it fails to make a judgment call, relying on each individual to make up their own minds.

The remedy Paul gives to combat sexual promiscuity is marriage! If you are a man; then you need to have your own wife for intimacy. If you are a woman; then you need to have your own husband for intimacy. Anything else is sin. Godly young men and women do not engage in sexual immorality. It is not pleasing God. If you want to be omitted in the inheritance of God’s kingdom, then this is one of the best ways of achieving it! Now consider, is it worth it?

Scenario

David and Jane have been dating for six months when David decides to ask Jane to marry him. David has been exposed to a lot of criticism from his buddies for not engaging in pre-marital sex with Jane. David believes like Jane does that sex should be confided to marriage. Now that David and Jane are going to be married, his buddies are telling him that it’s okay for them to have sex. What should David do?

(a) Since they are engaged to be married, it’s ok to have sex

(b) David and Jane should continue to wait

(c) Just have sex one time, God will understand

(d) I don’t have a clue what to tell David

Explain your decision.