Christ Covenant Church

God expects us to keep our vows of celibacy (e.g. during betrothal, special fasts of celibacy, remain a virgin/unmarried/become a eunuch): 1) even if they are a “thoughtless utterance” of our lips (i.e. we weren’t thinking when we made them – 30:1-2 w/6), 2) unless they are made by women w/o consent of their betrothed/husbands or fathers (in the case of un-betrothed younger women still at home; e.g. daughter in the home vows to God to never get married but remain financially dependent on her father/parents) (30:3-16, 5 and 13; 1Co 7:5, 36-38).Like prostitution, female celibacy can encourage (rather than remove) sexual immorality (25:1-3 w/30:3-16).Overreactions are not remedies (25:1-3 w/30:6-16).The removal of sinful influences – not good things (used sinfully), is the prescribed way to get rid of sin (30:3-16 w/31:1-20, 16-18; e.g. taking a kid’s cell phone b/c they are guilty of doing sinful things w/it).God’s anointed (or ordained) pastors/priests (i.e. the pastor-teachers – Eph 4:11b) are to receive the