I recently attended a virtual Bright Lights Conference on Radiant Purity.  There were 6 sessions discussing radiant purity, seeing life from God’s perspective, how to guard your heart, emotional purity, living by faith, and delighting in our heavenly Prince.  The sessions were great and really touched on what young women need to know about being pure and trusting their lives to God.  I’d like to share a few things that I took away from this conference. This is part 2 of my thoughts. See my previous post for the other thoughts I had on this conference.

[6] General principles regarding friendships with guys

• Keep the friendship casual.  Don’t open up your heart to him.

• Avoid situations that will breed emotional bonds

• Ask your parents for specific advice

• Don’t seek attention for yourself

[7] Modesty & Principles of Dress

• We don’t have an outward ideal.  But, we do have an inward ideal which is to conform to the image of Christ.  

Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 

• Dress modestly

1 Timothy 2:9 -  in like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,

• Do not copy the world

1 John 2:15 -  Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

• Don’t defraud

1 Thessalonians 4:4-6 -  that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.

• Dress femininely

Mark 10:6 - But the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’

• Honor your Father

Ephesians 6:2 -  “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise:

• Draw attention to your countenance

John 15:10 - If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love

• Remember that you are a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ

2 Corinthians 5:20 -  Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

[9] Different kinds of hearts referenced in Scripture

[10] When we truly repent and forsake sin, what are we fleeing from?

• 2 Timothy 2:22 - Flee also youthful lusts

• 1 Timothy 6:1-11 - Flee from disputes, envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, the desire to be rich, and the love of money

• 1 Corinthians 10:14 - Flee from idolatry

• 1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee from sexual immorality 

[11] Trusting in God for every aspect of your relationship 

• TRUST GOD’S PLAN FOR YOUR RELATIONSHIP

Proverbs 3:5-7 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

• We should lean on God’s wisdom, not our own

Ephesians 5: 22-33 -  Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.  For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

• Husbands are called to lead their wives and love them as Christ loved the church.  Wives are called to respect and honor their husbands, to nurture, to follow their husband’s lead. This is a picture of Christ and the church. 

1 Peter 3: 1-7 - Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,  when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.  Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—  rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,  as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.   Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

• Gentle and quiet spirit = having the peace of God and deep respect for the Gospel

• TRUST GOD’S PACE/TIMING FOR YOUR RELATIONSHIP

Proverbs 16:9 - A man’s heart plans his way,  But the Lord directs his steps.

• Man makes plans, but God is the one in control

• How to determine God’s will?

  • By consistently reading the Word of God and communing with God 

  • Pray about the relationship every step of the way

  • The Holy Spirit will help us understand the Scripture and apply it to our lives

  • Seeking wise counsel - like your family 

Proverbs 2:6 - For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Jeremiah 20:12 - But, O Lord of hosts, You who test the righteous, And see the mind and heart, Let me see Your vengeance on them; For I have pleaded my cause before You.

• TRUST GOD’S DESIGN FOR YOUR RELATIONSHIP

  • God wants us to refrain from intimacy before marriage so that we can glorify and honor God through our bodies.

• TRUST GOD’S PRESENCE IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP

Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the Lord is a strong tower;  The righteous run to it and are safe.

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

• These verses show the powerful presence of God in our lives.

Isaiah 43:2 - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

• God doesn’t promise a life with no trials.  But He promises that in the midst of them, He will be with us.

Psalm 16:8 - I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. 

Psalm 16:11 - You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

• God is with us every step of the way and in His presence is the fullness of joy

These are my thoughts on the Radiant Purity Conference. Catch my previous post for the beginning of the list!