Monday, December 16, 2013

Tossing The Purity Ring


The Jonas Brothers grew up in a Christian home. Their father is an ordained Baptist minister. The boys became famous when they were young by singing together. Fame and Christianity never seem to be a good mix, especially for children when they are younger.

Joe Jonas admits to tossing his purity ring and losing his virginity when he was 20 years old.  He admits to having some hook ups since then and now is with a steady girlfriend. It is extremely difficult for single men to keep pure in this society today. It's heartbreaking to see these young adults who have grown up knowing Truth turn away from it and be conformed to the world and it's ways.

Brad Furges wrote a wonderful essay on this very topic.  He writes ~

As singles we face an onslaught of pressure and challenges daily. We are in a real battle to stay pure in a very impure world. The Internet, TV, the entertainment and music industries, pornographers, the news media, our educational system…the list goes on…are keeping countless singles saturated in an intoxicating, lust-filled atmosphere.

The world, the flesh and the devil work relentlessly together to ensnare and rob us of the purity of heart the Lord desires for us. But we have HOPE in the midst of such a decadent culture, beyond even what Joseph had, because of what Jesus Christ did on the Cross and because of the power of His grace. His grace is truly amazing.

Yes, it is difficult but with God all things are possible. It is easy to find the world and it's ways attractive but in the end, it all leads to dissatisfaction and ultimately death. Dennis Prager has a male/female every Wednesday. Last week, he once again talked about the male sex drive and how women should try to be understanding towards their husband in this area.

He said men will always love to look at beautiful women and the more flesh a woman shows, the harder it is for men not to lust. However, most men are happiest if they can shop at only one store instead of many. Yes, he admitted it is in a man's nature to want to try out many different shops but they are much happier if they can shop in one.

Even Dennis Prager, who is not a Christian but a Jew, understands the value of monogamy and its impact on men. Yes, the world is enticing but deadly. Teach your sons Truth while they are young.  Don't pursue fame for them. Instead, encourage them to pursue Jesus, purity, and holiness. In the end, they will be much happier. God's ways are always better.

Oh, and teach your daughters to cover up and dress modestly. Encourage them to want to protect their precious Christian brothers instead of entice them.  Then be extremely grateful when your husband only wants to shop in your store!

For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang.  But flee from these things, you man of God; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I Timothy 6:10-12


Comments (13)

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I always quake when a parent pushes a child in the direction of notoriety...it is a sign of discontent with where the Lord has them and their kids pick upon that...it's basically greed for things this world has to offer. It was what I was thinking in this post: http://www.deeprootsathome.com/why-have-we-stoppe...
Love what you are sharing, Lori!
1 reply · active 588 weeks ago
I loved that post, Jacqueline! Thank you for sharing.
So sad that this young man has decided to through away his Christian values. I also agree with Jacqueline's comment. Thanks for another though provoking post.
Just a thought on your comment on modesty there at the end--I understand mothers not wanting their sons to see immodest girls. However, I don't think girls should be taught modesty under the guise of protecting men from temptation. Girls should be taught that modesty honors their own bodies and honors God. I don't believe that any person can ever be responsible for the sin of another and we should not lead girls to believe that they can be the cause of a boy or man's sin. I think that to do so leads girls to think of their bodies as dirty and disgusting, rather than precious and beautiful as God intended. If girls are taught modesty is for them and not for others I also think they are more to dress modestly.
1 reply · active 588 weeks ago
Danielle B's avatar

Danielle B · 588 weeks ago

Amen!! Modesty is a heart issue. And we are most definitely not responsible for someone else's sin. That's like blaming a rape victim, because she was dressed a certain way, or drank.
This is a timely post, and I appreciate Charlotte's comment. We've had problems with some at our church teaching that how girls dress cause boys to sin. Some practically hammered this into the girls heads, without telling boys to control their eyes, and became self appointed clothing police. This has caused my daughter to be angry towards the church, and we are having to chastise many for this stance. They are not to erect stumbling blocks and did so with clothing. I almost wore dirty shirts to church in order to separate faith from cloth.
1 reply · active 585 weeks ago
I agree they did that when my Johanna was a young girl it was all about the girl doing this and the girl doing that! However no responsibility was really put on the boys; that only gives the girls the idea that something is wrong with them which is sad! Our Johanna has always been a modest girl any way so we had no problems with her.
But I do think more should be said to the boys that they need to show some self control in the face of any temptation! I think as long as we as parents sit and talk honestly with our children and take them through the scripture as well as setting a good example they will make good choices in every area of their lives! Pray, pray, pray!

Have you ever noticed that the young girls who wear low cut dresses and tops are the same girls who's Mama's wear them as well? Or is it just me that sees that?
I have noticed that a lot lately! Strange!
Jilly oxoxo
Thank you for the good reminder to pray for Joe Jonas and all the other prodigals. I lived enough of my life in disobedience to God to know that it's empty and purposeless. I pray he discovers this sooner rather than later.
I am sad to see these young men and women, as they enter the limelight, talking about their Christian faith only to give it up when the paychecks start coming in. The Jonas brothers aren't the first. Remember Jessica Simpson? She started singing in her church, then other churches and local events. She landed a contract and became "someone". She met the man she thought she wanted to marry and, it was splashed all over, that she would maintain her virginity until her wedding night with Nick. And, she says she did. Then, after her divorce, she decided it didn't matter anymore and, not only did she have sex outside of marriage, but she also has had children outside of marriage, even making jokes about it.

My brother is "in Hollywood" having had some success and has now moved to a different aspect of the field for his career. He is very clear that it's not a good place for Christians. It will strip you of your beliefs, or at least try very hard. When those dollar signs start growing, the pressure to be quiet about your faith and conform also grows. Sadly, most make the choice for the money instead of for their Creator.
Great post. My husband and I work with the youth at our church and are pretty big fans of the book series "Every Young Man/Woman's Battle" that talks a lot about sexuality in a way that Christians just sometimes poo poo or avoid these days.
Just as we are to encourage a young woman to seek to be a keeper at home by teaching her skills, showing her the beauty of marriage and motherhood, and holding up the family and home as the ultimate goal in her life, so also we should do the same for our young men.

The goal of their education should be to be a provider for his future family. His work ethics, how he treats children, how he connects with different members of his family, both immediate and extended, are all preparation grounds for marriage. Who knows if this young man, Joe Jonas, would have been encouraged to be a husband rather than a rock star, if he would have sought a wife rather than fornication.

It saddens me to see parents hold back their children from marriage. "Wait until you've graduated from college." "Wait until you get your career going." "Wait until you save up a down payment for a house." "Wait, wait, wait!" These young people are being awakened to GOD-ORDAINED desires. The true and ultimate fulfillment of these desires is to be marriage, but if they are kept back from that, it is only NATURAL (not righteous, but natural) that they satisfy them through fornication and living together.

I would much rather my son marry at 20 and get a clumsy start than to shack up with one girl after another.
1 reply · active 587 weeks ago
This!
They are told not to marry because it will lower their money making potential that Mom and Dad live off of. So they prostitute them to millions and condeme them to burn with lust and loneliness or sin.
Sorry to hear this news. What a bummer. Not too long ago (maybe 2 years) VH1 News highlighted virgin celebrities. Among those listed were Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers. Your blog just validated the need to nix the news as outdated. I am an abstinence educator teaching in the schools regularly. The need is great but students are listening. I always have a captivated audience. Be encouraged.

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