Many people think that the person I am today is who I've always been. However, there was a time when I was younger that I hung around the wrong people.

Consequently, I started to do some of the things they were doing. The person I am today is the result of not only becoming born again but of making a decision to mature in the things of God (Rom. 12:2-3).

God wants everyone to live a victorious life—regardless of age. One of the areas in which He wants our youth to remain victorious is sexual purity. Many young people face challenges in this area because there is so much pressure from society to engage in sexual activity before marriage.

Parents have the responsibility of teaching their children about sex and its place in the Christian marriage. Why is sexual purity so important to God? First Corinthians 6:19 says, "...know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you...and ye are not your own?"

We have to recognize that our bodies belong to God. Because the Holy Spirit lives inside us, whatever we do with our bodies involves Him. Virginity is nothing our sons or daughters should be ashamed of. And there are several ways we can help them to remain sexually pure.

• Let them know that no matter what the temptation, God has already provided a way out (1 Cor. 10:33).
• Encourage them to stay away from people and situations that could influence them to engage in ungodly behavior (1 Cor. 15:33 AMP).
• Teach them how to recognize when someone is trying to seduce them (Prov. 5:13-14).
• Help them to understand that the choices they make now will affect them later on in life.

Hebrews 4:15 states that though Jesus was tempted with everything that we are, He didn't sin. How was He able to overcome temptation? Verse 16 tells us, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Jesus obtained strength from God, and so can we.

If your child is no longer a virgin, let him or her know that God is faithful to forgive us when we repent of our sin (1 John 1:9). Repentance leads to right-standing with God and a fresh new path toward His perfect will. Make it a priority to teach your children how to guard their sexual purity and to maintain themselves as vessels of honor unto the Lord. If you don't, who will?

World Changers Ministries
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