The Fight for Purity: Guide for Single Men to Honor God and Build Faithful Marriages

Virgil Walker

The battle for purity isn’t about repression—it’s about allegiance. Single men are called to fight for their King, preparing their hearts for a life that glorifies God and honors the covenant of marriage.

In every generation, men have faced unique battles that test their character and faith. Today, the battle for sexual purity stands as one of the fiercest, waged in a world that glorifies indulgence and mocks self-discipline. Yet, this fight is not just a call to resist sin but an invitation to pledge allegiance to Christ, the true King.

This struggle demands more than willpower—it calls for spiritual preparation and unwavering loyalty to the Savior who redeems and strengthens His people. Single men, the fight for purity is not merely about you; it’s about the man you are becoming, the future you are shaping, and the God you are called to glorify.

This isn’t just a matter of personal holiness—it’s a preparation for something greater. Purity is training ground for the faithful husband you’re called to become or the undivided devotion of a man wholly dedicated to the Lord. Either way, this fight is essential, and victory is possible through the grace of God and the strength of His Spirit. It’s time to arm yourself with the truth, build alliances with godly men, and resolve to fight for something that matters eternally.

As men, this battle for purity equips us to stand firm in broader cultural and spiritual battles. Purity is foundational to every other area of leadership and influence. Without it, we are compromised warriors, unfit to carry the banner of Christ in the home, the church, or the public square.

Purity as Worship

Purity is not a mere checklist for spiritual discipline; it’s a declaration of worship. When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he made God’s will abundantly clear: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). This isn’t a suggestion for the spiritually elite; it’s a non-negotiable command for every follower of Christ.

What makes purity so significant? Because it reveals who sits on the throne of your heart. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). Purity isn’t just about what you avoid—it’s about what you pursue. A pure heart is a heart focused on God, free from the clutter of sin and self-indulgence. It’s a heart that seeks to honor the Lord in every thought, word, and deed.

To fight for purity is to fight for clear vision—to see God’s glory more fully, to reflect His character more faithfully, and to worship Him more wholly. It’s a battle worth waging because it’s a battle for the soul.

Purity also prepares you to see clearly in every other area of life, especially leadership. If you cannot control your own heart, how can you lead others with wisdom and integrity?

Rejecting the World’s Lies

The world has its own gospel of sexual liberation, and it preaches loudly. Pornography is marketed as “harmless.” Hookups are celebrated as “normal.” Self-control is mocked as outdated. These lies have ensnared countless men, leaving them shackled by guilt and shame, their souls dulled to the things of God.

Let’s not sugarcoat this: pornography is a predator. It’s not just a “bad habit”—it’s a weapon of the enemy designed to erode your soul, distort your view of women, and destroy your intimacy with God. Hookup culture, on the other hand, reduces something sacred to a soulless transaction, leaving scars that often linger far longer than the thrill of the moment.

History is filled with examples of societies that fell when sexual immorality went unchecked. From ancient Rome to modern cultures, the abandonment of purity weakens both individuals and nations. The collapse begins with compromised men. Don’t be one of them.

The world’s version of freedom is slavery, but Christ offers true liberation. Paul’s warning in Romans 6:16 rings loud: “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” Reject the lies. Sin will never satisfy. Only obedience to Christ can lead to lasting freedom and joy.

Preparing for Faithfulness in Marriage

If God has called you to marriage, then your fight for purity today is not just about you—it’s about your future wife and family. Marriage is not a magical solution to lust; it’s a covenant that requires self-control, sacrifice, and faithfulness. If you cannot master your passions now, you will carry those unchained desires into your marriage, where they can wreak havoc.

Ephesians 5:25–27 calls husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the Church, with a sacrificial and sanctifying love. Single men, this is your training ground. Every temptation resisted, every boundary maintained, every habit of discipline cultivated is a step toward becoming the man who can lead his wife with integrity and grace.

Joseph’s example in Genesis 39 is one of courage and resolve. When faced with temptation, he fled from sin, choosing to honor God rather than indulge his desires. That decision not only preserved his integrity but also positioned him for greater leadership. In the same way, your choices now lay the foundation for a marriage built on trust, respect, and godly love.

Remember this: purity isn’t about repressing your desires—it’s about redirecting them toward their proper end. God designed sexual desire to be fulfilled within the covenant of marriage. By fighting for purity now, you are laying the foundation for a relationship that glorifies Him.

Building a Tribe of Brothers

You can’t fight this battle alone. Isolation is the breeding ground for defeat. That’s why God gives us the gift of community—a band of brothers who will sharpen us, challenge us, and lift us up when we stumble. Proverbs 27:17 says it plainly: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

Practical steps include finding accountability partners through your church or men’s groups. Utilize tools like Covenant Eyes or Accountable2You, which protect your eyes and help guard your heart. Share struggles openly with trusted brothers in Christ who will walk alongside you in this fight.

This is where true strength is forged—in the fellowship of warriors committed to honoring Christ together. Together, you can stand firm against the enemy, pushing back the darkness and advancing the light of God’s Kingdom.

Fighting for a Crown

The fight for purity is not just about avoiding sin; it’s about embracing a greater purpose. It’s about living for the glory of God and preparing for the rewards that come with faithfulness. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 9:25: “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” The crown you fight for is eternal.

Single men, the battle for purity is your battlefield, and the stakes are high. But take heart: you do not fight alone, and you do not fight in vain. Christ has already secured the ultimate victory, and by His Spirit, you have the power to stand firm. Rise up, reject the lies of this world, and fight for the glory of your King and the good of your future. Purity is not a burden—it’s a banner of allegiance to the One who is worthy of all honor and praise.

As this fight for purity strengthens you, it builds the foundation for greater battles ahead. A man who can lead himself in holiness will stand unshaken when called to lead his family, his church, and even the culture at large. Let this victory be the training ground for the warrior God is shaping you to become.


Recommended Resources

To grow deeper in your fight for purity, I highly recommend you consider these trusted resources:

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Virgil Walker

Virgil L. Walker is the Vice President of Ministry Relations for G3 Ministries, an author and conference speaker. His books include Just Thinking About the State, Just Thinking About Ethnicity, and Why Are You Afraid? He co-hosts the Just Thinking Podcast with Darrell Harrison and is a weekly contributor to Fearless with Jason Whitlock on the Blaze Media platform. Virgil has a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Virgil and his wife, Tomeka, have three adult children.