April 27 – Teen and Adult Self Control

Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. ... But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 1 Corinthians 7:5, 9 

Self control in teens as well as adults is an admirable quality. Sexual abstinence in single people is righteousness in action—it is keeping the commandment… You shall not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14. I remember a discussion with college classmates as to “what is adultery?” There was the argument that unless a person was married, it wouldn’t be adultery. But really when two people have sexual relations unless they are married to each other, it is adultery. When those two people engage in that activity, they are either with their own spouse or someone else’s spouse—those to whom someone will one day be married. Our society just doesn’t teach sexuality like it is. Don’t have sex with someone else’s spouse. If you aren’t married—don’t have sex—abstain from sexual immorality. Teens and adults need to be self controlled in their sexual relations. Jesus even went so far as to teach about this in His Sermon on the Mount. You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28. It takes self control to abstain from sexual immorality.   

Training Tip – Have you had a frank discussion about sex with your teenager? Society today is so accepting of teenagers having sex and raising their babies outside of wedlock. Is this the value you want for your children? Teaching self control at an early age may be essential to respect for self and others later in life. Would it be considered respect for others to abstain from sexual relations outside of marriage? I think so. Do you watch TV shows that are accepting of sex outside of marriage—like Castle? Or those favorite comedies like Tim Allen’s Last Man Standing The Big Bang Theory, Friends, or Seinfeld? We all innocently enjoy these situations comedies or dramas, but the underlying message is sexual promiscuity. Re-evaluate the programs that you and your family watch.

Lord God, give me wisdom as I guide my children and teenagers to make good decisions, to have self control and respect for others.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.