Part 8 of The Purity Series.
Dear younger me,
Before I share anything with you about what you go through in life, please allow me to share with you something that I wish I would have known, paid attention to, and or lived by. It’s a lot, but worth the read and wisdom that comes from it:
“So I tell you, live the way the Spirit leads you. Then you will not do the evil things your sinful self wants. 17 The sinful self wants what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is against the sinful self. They are always fighting against each other, so that you don’t do what you really want to do. 18 But if you let the Spirit lead you, you are not under law.
19 The wrong things the sinful self does are clear: committing sexual sin, being morally bad, doing all kinds of shameful things, 20 worshiping false gods, taking part in witchcraft, hating people, causing trouble, being jealous, angry or selfish, causing people to argue and divide into separate groups, 21 being filled with envy, getting drunk, having wild parties, and doing other things like this. I warn you now as I warned you before: The people who do these things will not have a part in God’s kingdom. 22 But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their sinful self. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do. 25 We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit. 26 We must not feel proud and boast about ourselves. We must not cause trouble for each other or be jealous of each other.” Galatians 5:16-26
Just the other day I was speaking with my son. I told him that just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should. This is actually scriptural too (1 Corinthians 6:12-14 make sure you read through 14!)
As guys, we think (and often believe, because it’s how we see it) we live in a world of “double standards”. People will tell you, “boys will be boys” or “oh, that’s just how boys are”, but we do not need to think of ourselves as better than we really are. (Romans 12:3) Be humble.
God created us all equal. Treat women with respect. God put them here for a purpose, and it is NOT for we boys to use for when we feel like we want to. Just sayin’.
Yes, I lived life the way “I” wanted to. If I wanted it, I schmoozed my way and got what “I” wanted. Most of the time it was not in a way that would glorify my momma and daddy, and definitely not God.
Looking back at all the women I had my way with (just to please my selfish needs), hard partying, and countless selfish acts to satisfy my immediate wants, I am ashamed.
When I finally met the one God had planned for me, I felt such humiliation and impureness as I told her about my past. Our relationship almost didn’t grow when I was so honest with her. Your future wife and I took some time off.
I knew she was the one for me. We had met when I finally decided to get back in church. I didn’t know at first that my life would feel such shame over my past and love for my future bride. I began to pray. I really didn’t know how to and where to even begin, but God did. I just started sharing my heart to God. You know what? He listened!
A few weeks had pasted before you and your bride reunited. We prayed together (that’s something a godly friend recommended we do), and I could feel forgiveness, love, and a pureness that I had never experienced before. Wow! How refreshing and what a relief!
If I could tell my younger self (which I am now) to not follow your ways but God’s, get your booty in church and surround yourself with good Christian folks, and to not forget all those bible teachings and preachings that my parents instilled in me and I learned as a kid…it would have saved me much heartache.
Yes, I am a man of God now. I love your momma and the children God blessed us with. Oh my! I pray for my son and their sisters daily! (Yikes!)
Stay strong, young man. Treat others (especially women) with respect. Put a smile on God’s face.
Sincerely and Humbly yours,
The Future You
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