Why
does the Bible single out the young – and especially young men – when it comes
to keeping ourselves morally pure?
Some of us are familiar with the following verses:
Some of us are familiar with the following verses:
- “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your Word” (Psalm 119:9).
- “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).
This
is not difficult to understand when we realise that the Bible correlates well
with physiological functions. Young men have ten times more testosterone (a sex hormone)
than women which accounts for the former’s powerful sex drive. After peaking at early 20’s, male testosterone levels dip
about 1 percent each year. So by the time men reach 50’s, their libido and
performance would have diminished.
Now we understand why young men have to pay special attention to keeping
themselves morally pure. Their hormones are “working overtime” at that phase of
their life!
Even so, we should not say, “It’s
my hormones that made me do it” when
we yield to temptation. The biblical stance is clear: There is no provision for
any alternative lifestyle* for sexual fulfillment apart from a monogamous, heterosexual
relationship between a man and a woman who are committed to one another by
marriage.
Instead, youths should channel their energies towards productive activities
for the benefit of the community and church. This process is called sublimation. Sexual drive should be
contained just as a powerful river is dammed up so that it produces hydroelectric
power.
When you are young you have lots of energy. You can make many varied choices in life. You can choose the good or bad. You can mix with the right or wrong crowd. You can go to the places which build your character or to sleazy joints. Make sure you choose well.
When you are young you have lots of energy. You can make many varied choices in life. You can choose the good or bad. You can mix with the right or wrong crowd. You can go to the places which build your character or to sleazy joints. Make sure you choose well.
Rejoice,
O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your
youth. Walk in the ways of
your heart and the sight of your
eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you
into judgment.
(Ecclesiastes
11:9).
But
if you choose to fear God and glorify Him, He will honour your commitment and
bless your life abundantly – so that you will in turn bless many others.
It
is not going to be easy. But with God’s help and godly company, you will
succeed.
Footnote:
* No fornication, cohabiting,
extramarital sex or homosexuality.
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