Purity matters – a lot. The psalmists spoke to this when he answered his own question. “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word” (Psalm 119:9).
Any ministry that is committed to leading men and women to freedom from unwanted sexual behaviors will have a lot to say about purity. But I will argue that although purity matters a lot, it is not the only thing. In fact, it is not even the main thing.
I like what Minnesota pastor Steven Lee wrote on this subject. He observed, “The purity culture movement went awry when it became more about purity than it was about God.”
Being sexually pure is great, but being spiritually connected is epic. I suggest you adopt a new paradigm. Measure your success less by what you have done and more by who you have become.
Recovery Step: Seek purity. But seek God first.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
