The quarterly SPAG magazine (Single Person Approved by God) is out, with the most recent edition for summer entitled "Let's Talk About Sex..."
Of course, sex is not all that is talked about in the issue. There is an article about ethical clothing choices from one of our own Christian Today writers Sam Rillstone. Another Christian Today writer Thomas Devenish writes about how fickle the pursuit of happiness is, comparing the promise of worldly happiness to the beautiful flowers Paterson's Curse which contain a deadly poison and are considered weeds.
This issue also celebrates 150 years of the Salvation Army, the church who has done extraordinary things for God's glory. And Creation Ministries have also signed on to do articles every quarter, this issue focusing on whether or not Genesis should be taken literally.
Sexual temptations and keeping pure
Vikki Nunn writes the title piece, where she relays some of her own experiences with dissatisfaction with what the world offered her and discovering purity is better.
"The world still dangles the promise of happiness in front of people, like a glittering bauble to a child." she writes. She then goes through scripture in order to show the dichotomy between what the world is telling us and what God expects, especially what that means for the single Christian.
All Christians, and single Christians in particular, struggle with sexual temptations. It's important to accept that this is part of our struggles as human beings and what to do in order to deal with that. There are certain methods of keeping pure that Vikki sets out in clear to understand terms. These include abstaining from temptations that come from sexually suggestive music, books, TV or movies, and having clearly defined boundaries with physical intimacy when dating.
God's methods always work best
Vastly more important however, is the spiritual armour of God which will help fight the temptations that come our way at the root of it. The battle of our flesh and our spiritual selves. Putting on that armour half-heartedly will not help anything, we have to put on all the armour of God.
Vikki assures us "While we can never completely conquer our sinful nature, as we mature in our Christian walk, we are also developing resistance to temptation. Just as a labourer develops calluses to protect his skin, we too can develop toughness in areas where we need it."
With God there is always hope to fight sexual temptation. We must rely on God's family for accountability and God's word for our strength. The single Christian can rest in the assurance that God's way is the best way and that the fight is worth it.
You can subscribe to SPAG magazine at www.spagmag.com
Bridget Brenton has been researching apologetics, philosophy and the paranormal for years. You can check her apologetic effort out at 101arguments.com
Bridget Brenton's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/bridget-brenton.html