How Can A Young Man Keep His Way Pure?

Wednesday, 08 July 2009

How Can A Young Man Keep His Way Pure?
How can a young man keep his way pure? (Psalms 119:9-16)
By guarding it according to your word...Blessed are you, ADONAI! Teach me your laws. (13) I proclaim with my mouth all the rulings you have spoken. (14) I rejoice in the way of your instruction more than in any kind of wealth. (15) I will meditate on your precepts and keep my eyes on your ways. (16) I will find my delight in your regulations. I will not forget your word.
BETH - Cleansing from the Word

As you saturate yourself with the Word of G-d it will keep you clean as Ruach HaKodesh (Spirit of G-d) shows you what is right or what is wrong. And if you decide to go down the wrong path, Ruach HaKodesh will convict you as He quickens the Word of G-d in your heart. You see, the best defense against sin is a good, strong offense.

Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

As we share the Word of G-d with others it also makes us more accountable to keep G-d's Word. You see, as others hear what we have to say, they are going to watch to see if our walk matches up to our words.

Memorize the Bible
Treasure the Bible
Meditate on the Bible

Do you notice changes in your life when you spend more time reading the Bible?

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Comments (18)

I used to spend weeks trying to be "pure", reading the Bible constantly along with all those books like "Every young man's battle" and everything... but I always failed. Eventually I got ticked off and quit- I decided I wasn't even going to try anymore.
Yesterday I was watching a movie when I realized I hadn't masturbated in almost two weeks. I sat there all shocked with my mouth hangin' open and thought back to all those times I really tried and never could. Now I'm not making the slightest effort and it just happens. In my experience, being "rooted in the word of God!!" actually backfires and has the opposite effect: failure.
Maybe you should just stop trying to make a big deal out of it...?
- 7/8/2009 11:53 AM
- Lynnjynh9315@xanga (message)
- reply
@Lynnjynh9315@xanga -
You just experienced the white bear effect.
Allow me to explain, There was a psychological test done a few years back. Test subjects were brought into a room and the test admin said " okay I just want you to sit here and talk with me about your childhood and anytime your think of a white bear I need to you ring this bell and continue on telling the story"
The test subject would be a little confused- perhaps ring the bell once (because they were thinking of the bear) and begin.
"well, as a child I was always happy (ring) err... I had good parents (ring) they took(ring) good care of (ring) me . Even (ring) when(ring) I was (ring) sick(ring) (ring) (ring)

The whole point was that when you try to control a habit or thought to NOT do something, it actually back fires and becomes more obsessive.
So when you were studying and trying to take hold of everythought - you were actually becoming more obsessive-it's just how the mind works.

Does it mean it can't be overcome, no. Because people who meditate eventually do learn to empty and focus the mind but it takes practice.

As far as the question of the post- When I read the bible more- I walk away with more questions not really changes in my life. Not that it is bad. I am a question kind of girl.
- 7/8/2009 12:06 PM
- kipahni@xanga (message)
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Yes, yes. And when I started praying regularly. Both of those things changed my life completely.
- 7/8/2009 1:12 PM
- k_stin@xanga (message)
- reply
Great entry!

Isaac Watts wrote hundreds of years ago..

How shall the young secure their hearts and guard their lives from sin?
Thy word, the choicest rules imparts to keep the conscience clean

'Tis like the sun a heav'nly light that guides us all the day
And through the dangers of the night, a lamp to lead our way

Thy word is everlasting truth, how pure is every page!
That Holy Book shall guide our youth and well support our age.
- 7/8/2009 1:38 PM
- AliasUndercover@xanga (message)
- reply
@Lynnjynh9315@xanga - You are very correct, yet so is the post at one level. The goal isn't to read the scriptures in order to remove the temptation. That's an unfortunate reason to read scriptures to begin with, because, as you noted, if it doesn't work then scriptures become useless to us and we stop reading. We read scriptures and, I would add, participate in good works in order
to take the focus off of ourselves
because that's part of what seeking the Kingdom of God first means; that's what meditating on the good things means. If we're busy participating in the kingdomly things, we won't have as much time for us and the sins of our life. That's basically how I understand the teaching in Matthew 6:28-33 also.

p.s. - I'm a disgruntled, 29-year-old single male still waiting in obedience. It has taken a good group of godly men, all of us still virgins or waited till marriage, to help me stay accountable. I'm not sure I'd be in this place without them, and I'm thankful.
- 7/8/2009 2:09 PM
- soy_esteban@xanga (message)
- reply
@soy_esteban@xanga - I'm 19 and- No offense, man- but I'm really hoping I don't become you....
- 7/8/2009 2:38 PM
- Lynnjynh9315@xanga (message)
- reply
@Lynnjynh9315@xanga - Ha! I thought the same thing when I was your age! It's not so bad and I've been able to do some really good things in life since my life hasn't been directed by my penis (for the most part). Many of my friends cannot say the same thing and I do not envy their circumstances now.
- 7/8/2009 2:46 PM
- soy_esteban@xanga (message)
- reply
@soy_esteban@xanga - No, I'm talking about the 29 and still married... ... I hate to be the one to tell you this but: all the good women are gone. You're all alone....
- 7/8/2009 2:48 PM
- Lynnjynh9315@xanga (message)
- reply
@Lynnjynh9315@xanga - Oh man, you remind me of myself! I get it, but it's not true. I'm dating a wonderful woman whom I will most likely marry. All my friends, in fact, have found great women in their late 20s and early 30s who were never married.
- 7/8/2009 2:51 PM
- soy_esteban@xanga (message)
- reply
@Lynnjynh9315@xanga - Just live for God, not your penis...that's all I can say. You and your penis will find a companion soon enough, unless you want to become a eunuch!
- 7/8/2009 2:57 PM
- soy_esteban@xanga (message)
- reply
@soy_esteban@xanga -
I agree. And I would add that we are to fill ourselves with that which
is pure, true, and wise. What we embrace with our hearts and minds will
determine who we are, and who we are will naturally determine what we
do. And there is nothing purer, truer or wiser than what God has to say to us.
Proverbs 4:20-24
My son, pay attention to what I say;
       listen closely to my words.
Do not let them out of your sight,
       keep them within your heart;
for they are life to those who find them
       and health to a man's whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart,
       for it is the wellspring of life.
Put away perversity from your mouth;
       keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
"Wellspring of life"... our lives come forth from our hearts, and so in order to have lives that honor God we must keep His precepts in our hearts, guard them, keep away that which opposes or pollutes them, and His precepts will come to life in us and through us. As His precepts come to life in us and through us, we will be better able to keep away evil things.
I think it is a beautiful arrangement.
- 7/8/2009 2:59 PM
- subSacred@xanga (message)
- reply
@Lynnjynh9315@xanga - because if WE try we fail. if we let God take control over everything, then there is more light at the end of this terrible tunnel.. :)
- 7/9/2009 5:21 PM
- jaredhdef@xanga (message)
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@jaredhdef@xanga - ...what "terrible tunnel" would you be referring to?
- 7/9/2009 5:24 PM
- Lynnjynh9315@xanga (message)
- reply
it IS good to stay 'rooted in the Word'. but if you get all cocky and start getting comfortable knowing you haven't failed in however long, thats when it creeps up and can hit you the hardest, right when you think YOU have control over it, you wont. For guys it can be the hardest thing to not be in control over something, but as Christ followers we HAVE to let go and let God control our lives and take the war battle by battle.
and having a friend for accountability is extremely important. Let eachother know when youre struggling, it helps to have someones 'sane' mind when its really needed.
pray for us men.
"despite the wang"
:D haha
[ Romans 3:30 ]
- 7/9/2009 5:30 PM
- jaredhdef@xanga (message)
- reply
@Lynnjynh9315@xanga - you may fill in the blank sir. Anything we go through that strays a young man from keeping his way pure.
- 7/9/2009 5:32 PM
- jaredhdef@xanga (message)
- reply
@jaredhdef@xanga - hmm, good answer. I used to think that masturbation was a sin, but then I actually started reading what the Bible said on the issue and have changed my mind.
- 7/9/2009 6:14 PM
- Lynnjynh9315@xanga (message)
- reply
@Lynnjynh9315@xanga - really? you wouldnt say its a sin?
- 7/9/2009 10:43 PM
- jaredhdef@xanga (message)
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@jaredhdef@xanga - Not unless you can provide me with a reason why it is a sin- I'm not close-minded, you know.
- 7/9/2009 11:12 PM
- Lynnjynh9315@xanga (message)
- reply

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