People make fun of me because I don't wear a purity ring!
Thursday, February 25th, 2010 at 6:24 PM by Ruth Tynes / Online Editor / InTheTimes.com
Q: I go to a private Christian school and it's pretty trendy for kids to wear "purity rings". I don't wear one, just because I don't want to. Some people make fun of me and give me a hard way to go because I don't. I live a pure life!
But, should I just start wearing one to get everybody off of my back? I don't want people to think that I am not pure because I don't wear a purity ring... Any advice?
A: First off, congratulations for having a mind of your own and not doing something just because it's "trendy" within your sphere of influence.
Yes, in some Christian circles, wearing a "purity ring" is a must-have item for any single person, similar to how wearing head-to-toe black might be a trendy must-have for people who consider their style of dress / sub-culture to be "gothic".
You've got the right perspective, it is merely a matter of preference. Wearing a piece of jewelry does not make you any more pure than standing in a garage makes you a car, or sitting in a Church building makes you a Christian.
Look at pop culture, many times celebrities make a verbal stand for purity and then come back years later and admit that the whole time they were advocating sexual purity, they were violating these same standards. Or often times tabloid media busts a celeb purity activist by publishing photos / videos / audio of them that are anything but advocating sexual purity. Also, often times a celebrity purity activist ends up pregnant out of wedlock, which clearly reveals their hypocrisy regarding upholding sexual purity standards.
As a Christian, the desire to live a pure life and the ability to actually live a pure lifestyle, is something that only comes from God's power, not our own.
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12, NIV)
"We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way...in purity...and in the power of God " (2 Corinthians 6:3-7, NIV)
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble...so that they may be saved." (1 Corinthians 10:31-33, NIV)
God tells us throughout the Bible, that living a life of "purity" extends way beyond our lack of pre-marital sexual activity,
"Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like...those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:16-17, 19-21 NIV)
If you prefer to not wear a purity ring as an expression of your commitment to a life of purity, don't let anyone persuade you to do otherwise. Instead, be concerned about submitting to God's Holy Spirit living inside of you and obeying God's holistic (spiritual, physical, emotional, etc.) command of purity in every area of your life!
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment...instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight...do not give way to fear." (1 Peter 3:3-4, 6, NIV)
Awesome question! RUTH
* This is an excerpt from the book InTheTimes.com Q&A by Ruth Tynes. Copyright 2008. It may not be reprinted or posted without written permission from the author. Please contact for reprint permission.
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