A Letter to Young Men: Your Sacred Calling

[olde_fashioned]

How many of you girls have had sentiments similar to those expressed in this excellent post? I know I have!

We've all heard and read many an exhortation pleading with young ladies to save themselves for marriage, keep themselves pure for their husbands-to-be, and behave accordingly -- but what about young men? It's about time someone brought this up, so let's pass it around and make sure all those Christian guys see that we're serious! ;-)

Thanks to my brother for the heads up!

Comments

[areth-lovejoy.livejournal.com]

I think most have of us have been there.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Yeah, probably! Unfortunately...

[spacious-soul.livejournal.com]

I agree that there are not enough people writing to the guys on this issue. :)

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

It's quite refreshing, actually, to see it handled from the OTHER side of the coin. ;-)

Thank you for the comment(s)!

[spacious-soul.livejournal.com]

Most assuredly. :)

You're welcome!

[dragonclouds.livejournal.com]

Okay, I'm going to get a little personal in this comment, so bear with me if I start to rant and get off subject!

Casually eyeing members of the opposite sex is detrimental to relationships in the future. My boyfriend spent years ogling women (and looking at many topless girls on the internet - thankfully not porn, although I don't see why this is a massive relief to me, since it's still women selling their bodies in one way or another - which is a whole other issue, but I'm not blameless myself - I just didn't ever do anything like that during our relationship. To be fair to him, he has vowed to never do this again and has set up measures on his computer to prevent him from accessing certain websites. The fact I shouted and cried and told him many home truths about himself didn't really hurt. How else was I supposed to react?) with whom I could never compete and the devil attacks him about this now. We can be together and the devil will tell him that he'd be happier with someone slimmer or with bigger boobs or with a nicer rear end or whatever and, I tell you, it breaks my heart and it breaks his too because he loves me.

There are still times when I know he is looking at other girls. There is one in particular at church who I find it difficult to be around. She is attractive and, more to the point, has very large breasts and tends to show this fact off. I can't at all say that she does this on purpose (she doesn't act in a provocative manner, she just wears 'trendy' clothes that aren't necessarily suited to her shape) but there tends to be a large amount of cleavage on show and many guys seem to find it difficult to avoid staring at her chest. Michael once told me, in a very bitter conversation (one that, stupidly, I instigated) that I wish had never happened, that he wished for me to swap bodies with this girl. I know we all have dark sides and think things that we don't really believe, and I know that this was an example of his darker side showing through, but I cannot get over this. I often feel rejected and unattractive. To me right now, the most important thing is being found desirable when I know that this is something of such little importance.

Our relationship is great and I know that I am loved and found to be beautiful in that old cliched way, inside and out, but the years of looking at other women for their bodies alone has left Michael open to spiritual attacks which hurt both of us. Things are getting better but it still hurts and I fear that it will affect our relationship in the long run. When we're married and having sex, I fear so much that he'll be thinking about other women. Sex is supposed to be a physical act of love and be between two people, but culture and society has made sex so very open that every person brings to their bed countless partners that they've lusted after and fantasised about.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Thank you for taking the time to leave such a long (and personal) comment! :-)

I hope that God leads you and your boyfriend in the direction He wants you to take, and that you two are able to overcome obstacle and sin in your life together and make something beautiful out of your relationship, without any senses of regret, lack of self worth, or the painful ghosts of a past life.

♥

[seventh-stage.livejournal.com]

http://www.victoriantradingco.com/store/catalogimages/1a/i17667.html

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this! :-)

[seventh-stage.livejournal.com]

every sentence I heartily agree with, yet the very end sentence. God is holy, he needs no women or man to defend his holiness or sake. It is true that sin has no power over us, yet we still live in the presence of sin! Women should be in prayer for these men, future husbands, fathers as well as lost young women. Christian men and women need to understand they have been saved by the victory of the grace and blood of our Lord and Savior. They are, by no ability of their own, on the side that has won! The Lord will provide. Meanwhile, young persons should steadfastly continue to seek the Peace of God.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I don't think anyone was trying to "defend God's holiness" -- certainly He needs no one to do that for Him, and yet, having said that, I do believe that standing idly by and allowing someone to disrespect His name, for instance, is not something that we should do. God is Almighty and all-powerful, yes, but that doesn't mean we can use it as an excuse to not stand of for Him. :-)

Meanwhile, young persons should steadfastly continue to seek the Peace of God.

Amen! And sadly, often peace with God means war with this world.

[seventh-stage.livejournal.com]

I do not think you're understanding me, it's alright.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Ahh, I'm sorry for the confusion! I fear I do not have the pleasure of understanding you, then. :-(

[sly-pig.livejournal.com]

Thank you for making this post, Lauren! Sadly the world is slipping away from this principle more and more every single day. In the Church we call it the Law of Chastity; here's a link to a brief summary of it:

http://www.mormon.org/commandments/#live-the-law-of-chastity

God has taught His children to live this way from the very beginning of time, and He hasn't changed it. It applies just as much to men as it does to women, and I have seen countless blessings in my life as a result of living this commandment. That's how I know it came from God.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link; it's a pretty good summary of the key elements involved in modesty and chastity (heck, even just a solid respect for members of the opposite sex)!

It applies just as much to men as it does to women, and I have seen countless blessings in my life as a result of living this commandment.

He rewards those who seek Him. ;-)