chastity crash course p.5 // a quick "practical" recap

Try to click here (opens a new window) and answer the questions before continuing.

The questions aren’t meant to condemn you when you answer "yes" to them, rather they are wake-up calls that something needs to be worked out. It’s not easy, especially when they seem like hurdles to what makes us feel good, but all things are possible to God (Phil 4:13). When we understand chastity as something that frees us to love the other person the way they ought to be, which is far more beautiful than mere using, we’ll persevere for it.


bruce almighty

Remember that movie? Think about the part when Bruce just wants her fiancé to love her by trying to "magic" her into it (about an hour into the movie). This is not real love as he only wants her because he’ll feel complete with her beside him.

How about the last part when Bruce saw her fiancée praying, and how he decided to give up his personal desires while talking to God (around an hour and 20 minutes into the movie)? That is real love, and what he’s trying to do--giving up to put his fiance in peace--is what chastity is about.


Read what the following people have to say...

C.S. Lewis:
"Lust is a weak, poor, whimpering, whispering thing when compared with that richness and energy of desire which will arise when lust has been killed."

Pope John Paul II:
"Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, he does not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he does not intimately participate in it."

1. What do you think of C.S. Lewis’ words?
2. Why can’t we live without love?
3. If any, share stories about people you respect because you see chastity in them. What is so attractive about their lives?

Let us take time to make a quick prayer...

"Lord, as You created us in Your image and likeness, we know that You created us out of love and for love. You created us for a union of love with each other just as You crated us to be together forever with You. Lord, help us to be open to learn, to live and to love like You. Amen."


Next in this series...
What is the difference between positive and negative purity? What does Adam and Eve have to do with chastity?