The Pro's of Purity: What we can learn from the Bible in the wake of sexual scandal

​The sordid details of yet another sexual scandal has lit up the news media.  Unfortunately, such stories are becoming a daily occurrence.

Since these exploits reveal the prevalence of sexual sin in our day, it is a good time to review some Biblical truths regarding the subject of purity.
 
1.  The innocent will not be put to shame (Ps 25:3).  Those who live clean lives will not be disgraced.  Chastity has the simple reward of being free from public embarrassment and the shame of guilt. 

On the contrary, dishonorable people will eventually be dishonored.  If the latest news spin tells us anything, it is this:  What is said (or done) in secret will be proclaimed on housetops.  

2.  God avenges the powerless.  Closely related is the fact that God acts to assist those who are weak and defenseless.  To be sure, sexual harassment is a form of oppression.  Crude talk and lewd advances are at their core power plays (perpetrated by both men and women).  Respectful attitudes and actions towards the opposite sex is further reinforced when we remember that the Lord "executes justice for the oppressed." (Psalm 146:7).  

3.  Keeping Good Company is Wisdom - Who is laughing at Mike Pence now?  His policy of never dining with a woman who is not his wife (sometimes called the Billy Graham Rule) has become the gold standard for purity and non-accusation. 

Proverbs 2 reminds us that wisdom is the greatest friend a person can have because it connects with people of integrity and provides unassailable alibis.

4.  Biblical sexuality is the most fulfilling -  Marital fidelity not only offers a life of no regret, but it provides the avenue for the greatest joy and fulfillment.  God designed marriage for the express purpose of sexual gratification.  Scripture repeatedly associates the deeper concepts fulfillment (unity, intimacy, and happiness) with fidelity, while associating death, despair, and difficulty with fornication.

5. Decency = contentment -  Much of the unfaithfulness that occurs in the world has to do with one simple thing: discontent.  It is because people are not content with God and His plan that they seek exploits and eroticism.  What Paul says about those who are not content with material things is also true for those who are not content with their wife (or lack thereof)--they "fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction."

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