Chastity: Required in Look
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Chastity, a virtue highly esteemed within Christian ethics, encompasses purity in thought, word, and deed, particularly in matters of sexual conduct. It is a call to maintain moral integrity and to honor God with one's body, as emphasized throughout Scripture. The concept of chastity extends beyond physical actions to include the purity of one's gaze and intentions, reflecting a holistic approach to living a life pleasing to God.

The Bible underscores the importance of chastity in one's look, warning against the dangers of lustful gazes and the internal sin they can foster. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the issue directly, elevating the standard of righteousness beyond mere external compliance to the law. He states, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). This teaching highlights the significance of inner purity and the need to guard one's eyes and thoughts from sinful desires.

The call to chastity in look is further supported by the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. Proverbs 4:25-27 advises, "Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil." This passage encourages believers to maintain focus on righteous living, avoiding distractions that lead to moral compromise.

Job, a paragon of righteousness, exemplifies the commitment to chastity in look through his personal resolve. He declares, "I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I gaze with desire at a virgin?" (Job 31:1). Job's covenant with his eyes signifies a deliberate and proactive stance to uphold purity, serving as a model for believers to emulate.

The New Testament epistles also reinforce the necessity of chastity, urging believers to live in a manner that reflects their identity in Christ. Paul exhorts the church in Philippi, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things" (Philippians 4:8). This directive encompasses the discipline of the mind and eyes, encouraging believers to focus on that which is pure and virtuous.

In the pursuit of chastity, believers are called to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance. Galatians 5:16 instructs, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." By living in accordance with the Spirit, Christians can resist the temptations that arise from impure looks and thoughts, cultivating a life that honors God in all aspects.

Chastity in look is an integral part of the Christian walk, requiring vigilance and intentionality. It is a reflection of one's commitment to holiness and a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel in shaping a life that glorifies God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 31:1
I made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I think on a maid?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 5:28
But I say to you, That whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Discipline and Advantage of Chastity.
... I beseech you consider what chastity is required, where the ... to return to what I began
with: chastity is ever ... Look ye to the Scriptures; seek out for yourselves ...
/.../of the discipline and advantage.htm

1 Timothy ii. 10-Aug
... that is pleasing to Him; modesty, chastity, orderliness, and ... where wrestling, not
ornament is required; where the ... 1190] dripping with oil, they look only to ...
/.../homily viii 1 timothy ii.htm

Sermons on Selected Lessons of the Gospels.
... by those who now hinder them, [804]385; as infants they look for the ... 504; care necessary
in preparing faithful for, [1035]505; chastity required in recipients ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of.htm

How we are to Reduce all the Exercise of the virtues, and all Our ...
... Now, look at that man who enters on some office for the public ... better; or from prudence,
to make some saving which is required; or from chastity, in order ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiii how we are.htm

On the Feast of the Nativity, ii.
... on us in abundant measure the power of chastity: in order ... bond on which he rested
[743] , and required the punishment ... useful to us, most fair to look upon; but ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xxii on the feast.htm

Hopkinsians.
... to God, our neighbor, and ourselves, required in the ... in universal benevolence; so
are temperance and chastity. ... sinks them down, so that they look upon earthly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/hopkinsians.htm

The Grey Sisters
... interest to these country girls, and it required a superhuman ... mountebanks or a peepshow,
the desire to look was so ... make the vow of poverty, of chastity, and of ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 6 the grey sisters.htm

A Summary of the Christian Life. Of Self-Denial.
... Sobriety undoubtedly denotes as well chastity and temperance ... or upbraiding but will
neither look down upon ... other members, because it has required more exertion ...
/.../sergieff/on the christian life/chapter ii a summary of.htm

Epistle Xliv. To Peter, Subdeacon of Sicily.
... the past may not be forcibly required, but that ... one who has been of approved chastity
before undertaking ... As to the money of Rusticianus, look thoroughly into ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xliv to peter subdeacon.htm

A Summary of the Christian Life. Of Self-Denial.
... Sobriety undoubtedly denotes as well chastity and temperance ... or upbraiding but will
neither look down upon ... other members, because it has required more exertion ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 a summary of.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about chastity? | GotQuestions.org

What is The Acts of Paul and Thecla? | GotQuestions.org

Is the Catholic concept of a nun biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Chastity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Chastity

Chastity: Abimelech

Chastity: Advantages of

Chastity: Boaz

Chastity: Breach of, Punished

Chastity: Commanded

Chastity: Consequences of Associating With Those Devoid of

Chastity: Drunkenness Destructive To

Chastity: General Scriptures Concerning

Chastity: Joseph

Chastity: Keep the Body In

Chastity: Motives For

Chastity: Paul

Chastity: Preserved by Wisdom

Chastity: Required in Heart

Chastity: Required in Look

Chastity: Required in Speech

Chastity: Ruth

Chastity: Saints are Kept In

Chastity: Shun Those Devoid of

Chastity: Temptation to Deviate From, Dangerous

Chastity: The Wicked are Devoid of

Chastity: Want of, Excludes from Heaven

Related Terms

Virginity (12 Occurrences)

Virtue (21 Occurrences)

Temperate (6 Occurrences)

Temperance (3 Occurrences)

Seducer

Seduce (8 Occurrences)

Chatter (5 Occurrences)

Woman (4043 Occurrences)

Purity (16 Occurrences)

Nun (31 Occurrences)

Under (4325 Occurrences)

Wanton (20 Occurrences)

Regular (95 Occurrences)

Diana (5 Occurrences)

Defile (63 Occurrences)

Dishonor (47 Occurrences)

Boaz (25 Occurrences)

Chaste (4 Occurrences)

Crack (5 Occurrences)

Contain (19 Occurrences)

Chastising (2 Occurrences)

Slander (34 Occurrences)

Seduction (1 Occurrence)

Honesty (4 Occurrences)

Honor (240 Occurrences)

Separate (115 Occurrences)

Virgin (62 Occurrences)

Tobit

Anaharath (1 Occurrence)

Leviticus (1 Occurrence)

Proverbs (11 Occurrences)

Education (4 Occurrences)

Crimes (22 Occurrences)

Crime (45 Occurrences)

Apocryphal

Minor (2 Occurrences)

Asia (22 Occurrences)

Persian (4 Occurrences)

Acts (271 Occurrences)

Ancient (64 Occurrences)

Anem (1 Occurrence)

Religion (23 Occurrences)

Chastity: Required in Heart
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