It's getting hot in here

Imagine getting all hot and heavy with your current love interest and wrapping your arms around their neck. You're kissing and stroking... You move in for a tight hug, open your eyes and spot the ring.

You’ll say, “Whoa!” Well, at least that’s what you should say. That ring should be an instant reminder of your covenant with God to remain celibate until marriage and not put yourself into a compromising position that you will regret.

Let's take a momentary pause: There are a couple of things that we need to address, which have went unsaid. First of all, "your current love interest" should be someone who you think you may marry. There is no reason to be dating just for the sake of dating. Anyone that you spend time getting to know should be the type of person you would want to marry. And, if you're spending time with them, you should also be spending time in prayer asking God if they're the person you're going to be spending the rest of your life with.

Secondly, you shouldn't be "getting all hot and heavy" because that's not the position you want to put yourself in when you're trying to maintain a celibate lifestyle.

We'll talk more -- at a later time -- about appropriate dates, behavior, etc., that is conducive to a celibate and Christ-like lifestyle. Until next time...

It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves. - Sir Edmund Hillary