Staying Clean in an Unclean Culture: Teaching women to be chaste

I gripped my kids’ hands tighter and directed their attention away from the counter, hoping they hadn’t already seen what I had. The man right next to us was renting a tall stack of pornography, without any covering over the repulsive images on the cases. My young children knew how to read, and I didn’t want them to sound out the titles. I was so outraged by the lack of discretion in a “family” video store, that I left without our movies and never went back.

This was several years ago. Nowadays, pornography reaches young people via social media apps, and streaming services. Some parents don’t even realize their child has access to unclean images until it’s too late.

Sexual impurity is everywhere we turn, but we can do our part to turn the tide of immorality by being chaste, and teaching younger women how to be chaste as well.

Teaching younger women to be chaste

Titus 2:3-5 KJV~ The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teacher of good things; That they may teach the young women to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Being chaste is among the 9 “good things” the aged women are to teach the younger through discipleship. But “chaste” isn’t a word we use every day, so what does it mean to be chaste?

To be chaste is to be clean or pure. Jesus said uncleanness originates from the heart (Mark 7:21), so to be chaste means purifying our hearts.

Older women teach the younger how to be chaste by modeling virtuous behavior and teaching sound doctrine.  God’s word is pure, and it cleanses our hearts and minds. (Philippians 4:8, James 3:17, Psalm 19:8, Psalm 119:140)

Proverbs 30:5 KJV~ Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Discipling those with an unclean childhood

Unfortunately, I know several women who have been sexually abused in their childhood. Their innocence was stolen from them and they grew up to be women with trust issues, insecurities, and promiscuity. Some see their body as a means to get attention.

These women endured unimaginable pain and shame. They feel dirty and depressed, and some turn to the opposite sex because they are repulsed by men.

Women with an unclean childhood need a spiritual mentor who is compassionate, sensitive, and prayerful; a woman who will get her hands dirty to help her out of the muck and mire; a woman who will teach her to be secure in Christ, walk in the Spirit, and be sober-minded.

Purity comes from Christ

Even if she hasn’t been abused, younger women need to be taught to be chaste and live holy. That purity originates from a heart redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.  At the moment of salvation, every believer is cleansed and made a new creature. They are given God’s Holy Spirit to empower them to withstand the temptation to sin.

God also equips believers for victory over sin with the Church, which provides accountability and support to follow Christ.  Biblical discipleship enables us to walk in wisdom as we learn the word and how to practically apply it. In discipleship, women teach other women to look to Christ for the standard of living and saturate their minds with scriptures.

Staying clean in an unclean culture

We live in a post-Christian society that continues to spiral downward, therefore the need for biblical instruction is great. But, before we can teach someone else how to be chaste, we have to be pure ourselves. Staying clean in an unclean culture takes discipline and instruction in righteousness. Purity comes from repentance, prayer, reading the scriptures, and obeying them.

Christian women, let’s purify our hearts, purge our lives of carnality, and proclaim the gospel because this world desperately needs Christ. Our stains of sin are gone because of Jesus, and it’s for his name’s sake we separate ourselves from this filthy world.

2Corinthians 6:17-7:1 KJV~ Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

More on Biblical Discipleship:

Building the Discipleship Relationship

3 Keys to Bearing the Burdens in Discipleship

Women Teaching Women: Be an Example in Discipleship

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Pray With Confidence

Prayer can help purify your heart and mind and be a chaste woman. If you would like to grow in your prayer life, then check out Pray with Confidence.  It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the regular contributors. Here are some links I think will be a blessing to you:

How to Hear God’s Voice

Fix Your Eyes On Jesus

3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability

19 Bible Verses that Reveal the Will of God

15 Bible Verses About Rest When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed

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