"This is the will of God, your holiness: that you refrain from immorality,...... not in lustful passion as do the Gentiles who do not know God; not to take advantage of or exploit a brother in this matter, for the Lord is an avenger in all these things,.......For God did not call us to impurity but to holiness. Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not a human being but God, who [also] gives his holy Spirit to you." (1 Thessalonians 4: 3 - 8).
The Holy Spirit lays down the rules for sexual conduct in the community of the saints. What is the goal? Holiness of life. If you want the goal, you must adopt the means to get there. In the Gospel of today, Jesus our Teacher lays down the means to grow in sexual purity and chastity.
"Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps." (Matthew 25: 1 - 4).
What is Jesus saying?
Always be prepared.
If you have a date, be prepared. Set your boundaries.
If you are visiting somebody of the opposite sex, be prepared.
If you have a ride in a car with a person of the opposite sex, be prepared. Don't think: Nothing will happen in a car. Be ready for surprises because:
"Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5: 8).
One way to prepare is prayer. Say a simple short prayer like this: "Lord Jesus Christ, I am going into this situation, protect me by your power and grace. Jesus I trust in You." Fight the Enemy of your soul and life by invoking the holy and powerful Name of Jesus.
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