Hi ladies!
I apologize for not getting to post this past week ~ life has felt a little like a tornado lately. I've continued to pray for each of you as you work through this study.
Chapter 3 was my favorite yet {okay, I'll probably say that several more times before we're done the book} To me, this is where the rubber meets the road in our Christian lives. My definition of integrity would be what you are (thoughts, actions, deeds) when noone else can see you. The book says (pg 23) to be a person of integrity means you are undivided ... that all parts of your life line up with the other parts. So, if you are a Christian, all parts of your life should line up with WHO?? GOD
She goes on to compare our sexuality as a tabletop. Remember our sexuality is who we are ~ women. That's what God created us to be. We are made up of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects. ALL of these come into play when we talk about integrity. If we are behaving okay physically (you know, not ACTUALLY touching anything we shouldn't be) BUT we are mentally dreaming about someone, our table is going to be a little off balance because we have a week leg. There are some more examples on pg 25 - 26.
There is a powerful statement at the top of page 27 that if you can grasp now could save you a lot of heartache in the future ....
"Until you are married, sexual integrity means protecting yourself from any physical, mental, emotional or spiritual longings for the opposite sex that can not be fulfilled ACCORDING TO GOD'S PLAN."
What is God's plan you ask?? God's plan is that you be committed to Him and allow Him to meet your needs until you are in a marriage relationship.
The next part Legalism v Love (pg 27) makes an important distinction. Legalism is abiding by a set of laws or rules .... love is so much more. We have very specific instructions about love in Matthew 22:37-40 ~ Love God with ALL your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself. So, if we are loving God with ALL our heart, soul and mind and loving our neighbor as ourself, it's not about the rules. It's about our heart attitude of obedience to God and what He says in His book, the Bible.
I challenge you to really take some time to think and pray about the questions of compromise and integrity at the bottom of page 29. Ask God to show you where your integrity is on these issues.
What you believe does come out in your actions ..... and when noone else is looking, God is.
