Unhooked: Holy in a Hookup WorldSample

Day 25: Chastity

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For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. –Philippians 4:13

Connect

In a hookup world, just about anything goes.

You are “free” to have sex with the people you date. You are “free” to be friends with benefits—you are free to act on every urge.

But are you really free if you do what you do because an urge compels you to do it? Are you serving God or are you serving your urges?

True freedom isn’t in being controlled by our impulses. It’s in doing what God asks, regardless of our impulses.

Freedom is found in choosing whether to act on your desires instead of acting on every single desire as if you don’t have a choice.

Because you do have a choice—and chastity is a virtue that helps you choose wisely. But chastity isn’t the same as abstinence.

“Chastity is a decision we make, over and over, every day, to do the right thing regarding sex,” according to Arleen Spenceley, Unhooked panelist and author ofChastity is For Lovers: Single, Happy and (Still) a Virgin.

And God wants everyone to do the right thing regarding sex—whether we’re single or married.

Since sex is the unique, pleasurable expression of a married couple’s unity, chastity involves abstinence for people who aren’t married. Within a marriage, chastity is about being faithful to each other, living out your vows, and refusing to use or abuse each other.

Chastity frees us all to do what we were meant to do—love others.

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. –Galatians 5:13

And through Christ, you are made able to do that.

Pray

Jesus, I am so grateful for the grace You’ve given me to practice the virtue of chastity. You deserve the glory—You have set me free! Help me to use my freedom wisely.

Reflect

What can you do—starting now—to more fully practice chastity in your life? What impact would you like chastity to have on your future relationships?