TO BE PURE
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:3-4
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But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16
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Most Commonly Asked Questions of Contact Moms
Q: My child has recently ‘discovered’ his private body parts, what is the best way to deal with this new behavior?
A: A mom who starts working on this behavior when she first begins to notice it becoming a habit has an advantage in helping her child gain self-control. Whether dealing with a son or daughter, when observing a little one beginning to put his or her hands down around their private parts, gently remove his hand and say “no touching”. If the behavior becomes more of a habit and the child does not respond to verbal correction, it may be necessary to squeeze his hand and verbally say, “Obey Mommy, no touching.” If the child has been taught to give a verbal response to other instructions requiring obedience, then a “yes Mommy, no touch” should be required. While this behavior is usually more disturbing to parents, it is still a matter of obedience and self-control training. Generally speaking, any kind of habit you see developing in your child that needs correction, you will find it easier to handle at a younger age. If you allow the behavior to go unchecked, however, it will be far more difficult for them to control it when they are older. It may also be time to enroll in a Reflections of Moral Innocence class where this topic is dealt with in more detail. Also the CD of the month offered through CFH will provide some helpful suggestions as well.
MAKING IT PRACTICAL:
Aside for taking a Reflections of Moral Innocence class or listening to the CD’s, find age appropriate books that will provide information to establish a pure mindset for you and your children, and also reinforce the principles of purity you desire to establish in your home. Some suggestions are “The Purity Principle” by Randy Alcorn; The Miracle of Life books by Tim & Ami Loper, the three books written by the Lopers were done so with ROMI in mind, The Princess & the Kiss by Jennie Bishop, and books by Eric & Leslie Ludy.
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Pure: free from moral defilement; without spot; not sullied or tarnished; incorrupt; holy.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
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What is Biblical Modesty?
Anne Marie Ezzo and Sharon Carter discuss the heart issues of biblical modesty, offering practical wisdom and thought-provoking scenarios on the day-by-day process of training families toward pure thoughts while living in a calloused world. Moms will be challenged to consider the high calling of holiness as it pertains to God’s standard of modesty. Order the CD here.
THOUGHTS FROM THE BOARD
Purity of thought, mind and heart; how do we get there? We begin by setting a guard around all we allow in through our senses. What do we allow into our spirit? Each of us must consider the music that we listen to, the books that we read, and the TV programs we watch. Whenever a thought enters our mind that is not edifying [see Phil 4:8] we are told to ‘take that thought captive to the obedience of Christ’ [2 Cor 10:5]. We can turn these thoughts and desires over to the Holy Spirit and let Him fight the battle for us. Wash your mind with the renewing of the Word. Let the power and the presence of God himself be evident in all that you do. [Romans 12:1 & 2; Ephesians 4:22-24]
It is wise to be cautious about the books we read because it is too easy to become discontent or allow our minds to wander where they shouldn’t go. Evaluate and pray about what causes you to stumble. Is it movies, or the variety of TV shows readily available 24/7? Remember there is still an adversary out there seeking our demise. You may want to read 1 Peter 5:8-10 and Genesis 3:1-24, there is a spiritual battle for not only our minds but purity as well. We are walking a walk that is counter-cultural, and we are parenting in such as way that is often counterintuitive to the world’s thinking. The series Reflections of Moral Innocence will help ground you as the parent and provide the tools to help you plant seeds of purity and integrity into the hearts of your children. But remember; we can only bring our children to the standard and level of moral training that we have either already attained or at least working towards. So moms back to the original challenge that each of us must evaluate, ‘how am I doing with my own walk of purity?’ James reminds us of what “true religion” looks like but he also cautions us “to remain unstained by the world…it is only something we can accomplish through His strength and our surrender.
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