The Foundation of Chastity in Scripture
Chastity, derived from the Latin word meaning "pure," represents far more than mere abstinence. It is a positive virtue—a commitment to honoring God through the stewardship of our bodies and desires. The apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable." This passage establishes chastity not as a negative restriction, but as a pathway to sanctification and personal honor.
Throughout Scripture, sexual purity is presented as integral to our relationship with God. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-19, Paul urges believers to "flee from sexual immorality" and reminds us that "your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God." This profound truth elevates chastity from mere behavior modification to a spiritual discipline rooted in our identity as God's beloved children. When we practice chastity, we acknowledge that our bodies are not our own, but have been purchased by Christ's sacrifice.
Chastity and the Virtue of Self-Control
Chastity is inseparable from the fruit of the Spirit known as self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 lists self-control among the spiritual fruits that evidence a life yielded to the Holy Spirit. This self-control extends to all our desires—not only sexual, but also regarding speech, anger, and consumption. Chastity, then, is training ground for developing the character of Christ in every area of our lives.
The book of Proverbs repeatedly addresses this theme with practical wisdom. Proverbs 22:3 states, "The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty." Applied to sexuality, this speaks to the importance of guarding our hearts and minds, establishing boundaries before temptation arrives. Additionally, 2 Timothy 2:22 exhorts young believers to "flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." This passage acknowledges both the reality of temptation and the grace available to overcome it.
Living Out Chastity in Our Culture
In contemporary Canada, where sexual ethics have shifted significantly from biblical foundations, practicing chastity requires intentional commitment and community support. This includes not only abstaining from premarital sexual relations, but also guarding our thought-life through wisdom about entertainment, social media, and friendships. Philippians 4:8 encourages us to think on "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable."
For married couples, chastity takes on a different expression—faithfulness and the appropriate expression of sexuality within the covenant of marriage. For singles, it means trusting God's timing and finding fulfillment in Christ rather than seeking wholeness through romantic relationships. In either case, chastity is an act of worship, a declaration that we belong to Jesus and that He is sufficient for our deepest longings.
"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?"—1 Corinthians 6:18-19