In continuation from my notes... (told ya I'd write soon!)
In order to keep completely pure and focused on God's will, we need to guard our hearts.
The heart isn't just emotions, it's the internal force in everything we do.
What the heart desires is the most powerful force in our lives.
Therefore, we really need to guard it from any influences
seeking to distract, pollute, or steal our hearts.
Throughout our lives, we will obviously come across all sorts of men.
It's important to know how to have friendships while still guarding our hearts.
It's good to keep in mind that it is OK to be friends with young men,
but there are essential cautions to keep in mind...
1. Keep the friendship casual.
There are different kinds of friendships; aquaintnaces, casual friendships,
close friendships, and intimate friendships.
If we purpose in our hearts to keep pure,
then we need to keep it at an aquaintance or casual level.
We can do this by not opening up and sharing personal information,
and keeping conversations short.
2. Avoid situations that will create emotional bonds.
When talking with young men, it should be in the company of parents or other families.
Being alone or talking a long 1 on 1 talk will make it tempting to open up
and share your heart with him. NOT GOOD!
We want to give our husband our full heart... without any peices missing.
3. Don't seek attention for yourself.
Yes, most of us desire to get attention from guys... And it's very hard not to try.
But the same attentions we desire, God is waiting to give them to us!
He's waiting for us with open arms, and attentive ears,
and He cares about us more than we could ever understand.
4. Ask parents for guidance.
God knows our family situations, and He planned and picked out
every family member custom-made for each of us!
He'll help us and guide us through our parents.
If you're not sure how to respond friendly with guys, ask your parents for advice.
If you're worried about a guy liking you and don't know how to respond,
discuss it with your parents.
I've learned there's nothing I can't talk to my parents about.
And I find that it really helps.
5. Avoid influences that pollute thoughts
If we truly desire to guard our hearts,
then it's obvious we need to avoid any influences distracting our thoughts,
or causing us to desire wrong things.
-Movies and television
TVs full of evil concepts, words, actions, and pictures that can easily pollute our minds.
"I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:" Psalm 101:3a
-Music
Listening to certain things, like worldly music, can easily sway us
off God's path without us even noticing.
Lyrics that aren't pleasing to God shouldn't enter into the heart.
"I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me." Pslam 101:3b
"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" Ephesains 5:19
-Dress
Dressing worldly or 'like everyone else' can definately distract us.
As Christains, we're the children of the King of Kings,
and we need to separate oursleves from the world's ways and fashions.
We can do this by not wearing anything that brings attention to ourselves,
or makes us imagine sinful imaginations.
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2
-Internet
Be vigilent in guarding the eyes!
Be very careful about whom you come in contact with online, avoid chat rooms,
and if you're allowed to surf, do so with great discernment.
Be sure to tell your parents if you run into anything you didn't intend to see.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,
as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" 1 Peter 5:8
Finally, we must leave no vacancies!
Purpose that we cannot let the enemy in and protect ourselves from it
by allowing our minds to be filled with God's thoughts.
"Keep thy heart with all diligence;
for out of it are the issues of life."
Proverbs 4:23
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