“No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God” (NLT) Genesis 39:9

Once in my bible class at church we put the life of Joseph under the microscope with the intention of emulating his rare, exemplary life. During the discussion, one outspoken brother stood and humorously quipped: “We should not commend Joseph so much. He turned down Potiphar’s wife because he probably didn’t find her attractive enough.” Funny as it was, it kept me thinking of how so many of us will fall into temptation when the offer is juicy enough. Joseph, I believe was a young man of complete integrity, and whether he found Potiphar’s wife attractive or not, his goal in life was to please God: “How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God”

To live with integrity as singles, we should have this same goal, built on the sound knowledge of God’s word and requirements. The inspired Psalmist asked, “How can a young person stay pure?” His answer was obvious: “By obeying your word” (NLT) Psalm 119:9. The bible is replete with moral absolutes as to how young people can live a pure life. Outside of this, I know not of any other prescription for our spiritual hungers and maladies.

“Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body” (NLT) 1 Corinthians 6:18.

“Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to live a celibate life. But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband” (NLT) 1 Corinthians 7:1-2.

“And we must not engage in sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23, 000 of them to die in one day” (NLT) 1 Corinthians 8:8.

“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures” (NLT) Galatians 5:19.

“Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes – these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world” (NLT) Ephesians 5:3-5.

“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires ...” (NLT) Colossians 3:5).

“Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters” (NLT) 1 Timothy 5:2

“Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts” (NLT) 2 Timothy 2:22.

Faithfulness in marriage, purity in celibacy || More