“I adjure you, O you daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love before it pleases.” (Song of Solomon 2:7, ESV)

So many Christians are unaware that sex outside of marriage displeases God. In fact, it is listed among only four things the apostles decided that new gentile believers should abstain from. The other three have to do with not consuming strangled animals, food sacrificed to idols and blood. I would say society has done a very good job in the last fifty years of making fornication seem completely normal and even preferable before choosing to marry someone, even among those inside of the church!

Of course, it is our duty as parents to teach our children that sex outside of marriage is not Gods best for them. I have made it a point to do just that, but the emotions that come along with love and the desire to be loved by someone do not wait. So, when our child finds themselves infatuated with someone it is our duty to walk with them through it in a successful way. That means we place boundaries on how they hang out with the opposite sex. Being intentional to always have built in accountability. Part of the idea of courting someone means that you only hang out together when in a group setting. Driving alone together is never ideal.

It has become popular in Christian circles for a father to give his daughter a purity ring. That ring alone holds no power to keep your daughter pure. It is your guidelines and instruction that further aids her in the endeavor. You are the gatekeeper to her purity. Take seriously the task at hand and be careful not to become slack. Parents are a safety net for their young children in these matters and a guiding light to their purity. Communication is key, always being willing to listen to their input and feelings in the matter. If we fail to guide our children, the culture surely will. 

Chapter two of Song of Solomon begins with a passionate description of a warm embrace between a young man and woman. It ends with the charge for them not to awaken love before its time. May we always be an aid to our children so that they too do not awaken love before its time.