Abstinence

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Abstinence is about choosing a clear direction for where you want your life to go from this day forward. It’s about choosing to save all sexual activity for the committed, loving relationship of marriage.

“Sexual activity” includes any type of genital contact or sexual stimulation. Abstinence is the only 100% sure way to protect your body, mind, and heart from the various and damaging consequences of premarital sex. Abstinence is the safest, healthiest lifestyle and one of the best ways to prepare for a healthy future marriage.

It’s the choices you’re making right now in your teen years that can most significantly determine what your future holds. If you dedicate yourself to making wise choices – tough choices, you’ll be preparing yourself to a better tomorrow. Have you ever considered how your sexual choices will affect your life?

Sex is a big deal. C. Everett Koop, the former U.S. Surgeon General said, “When you have sex with someone, you’re having sex with EVERYONE they’ve had sex with for the last 10 years… and everyone they and their partners have had sex with for the last 10 years.” The biggest risk you have of becoming infected with a STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections) is directly related to the number of sexual partners you have. The earlier you begin sexual activity, the more likely you are to suffer from increased rates of infection.

There’s an epidemic of STIs in the United States with 19 million NEW cases each year. The great majority of these new cases are in young people age 15-24. There’s currently over 25 STIs with life-altering consequences. 65 million Americans are living with an incurable STI as of 2006.

“Safe Sex”? STI risk is NOT eliminated. It only reduces your risk by half for three of the most common STIs. Is this “safe” enough for you? Do you see this approach as a success or failure in regards to the current STI epidemic amoung young people?

When sex is the main focus of a relationship it can actually hasten a breakup. It makes you miss out on all the good stuff. Many teens feel that sex cheated them out of the love they really wanted and ended up with feeling rejected, guilt, regrets, worry, fear, depression, feeling abandoned, and left with a broken heart.

FACT: Sexually active teens are more likely to be depressed.

How does that compare to the media messages you see and hear? Emotional trauma can be as equally painful as the physical costs.

No amount of birth control can prevent a broken heart.

Have you ever thought of how real love compares to “hooking up”?

Love and sex within marriage protects us.
Sex outside marriage is a set up to be hurt.

You may feel like one of a few but you are really one of many. Most teens take sex very seriously. A Seventeen Magazine poll found that 92% of teens say that being a virgin in high school is a good thing.

THE DECISION IS YOURS.

No one else can make it for you and no one else can see it through when it gets tough.

How to Wait:

• Plan It – make the decision and plan now to be responsible for your own sexual health.
• Say It – be bold and say what you believe. You’ll be respected for it.
• Do It – you are in control and have the self-discipline you need to see it through.
• Know where your point of no return is and stay far away from it.
• Don’t be there – avoid high risk situations where drugs and alcohol are used.
• Get people you know and trust to support and encourage you in your decision.
• Be confident that choosing abstinence is one of the best choices you’ll ever make… for yourself, your future spouse and your future family.