BEYOND VIRGINITY—THE PATH TO TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS

BEYOND VIRGINITY—THE PATH TO TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS

THEME: TRUE HOLINESS LIES IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, NOT MERE VIRGINITY

BY: GERALD ANIEBUE

INTRODUCTION
Some beings uphold virginity as the highest mark of holiness, yet Scripture and reason reveal a deeper truth. Virginity, though often upheld as a virtue, is not the ultimate test of holiness. A person may be a virgin and yet harbour pride, hatred, deceit, and malice, or may even be a criminal, liar, or slanderer. Others preserve their virginity for reasons that have nothing to do with God, such as maintaining charms or social status. Conversely, one who has lost their virginity but repents and pursues righteousness may attain the kingdom of God. The question, therefore, is not merely whether one is a virgin, but whether one is righteous before God.

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VIRGINITY—A MEANS, NOT AN END
Virginity is a state of the body; righteousness is a state of the soul. God does not judge based on outward conditions alone but by the inner disposition of the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). If virginity alone were the requirement for heaven, then even the most self-righteous hypocrites and legalists would be justified. The Pharisees who condemned the adulterous woman in John 8:3-11 may have been physically “pure,” but their hearts were corrupt. Jesus rebuked them not for their outward righteousness but for their lack of mercy, humility, and self-awareness.
Moreover, virginity is meaningful only when accompanied by the virtues that truly define righteousness: chastity, humility, love, selflessness, wisdom, understanding, and above all, the fear of God. Let us consider the Blessed Virgin Mary—her holiness was not solely because she was a virgin, but because she was full of grace, obedient to God, and lived in perfect righteousness (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:38). Likewise, John the Beloved, some priests, pastors, ministers, or other individuals who live in purity do so not simply by refraining from sexual relations but by pursuing holiness in thought, word, and deed.
SATAN—THE ‘VIRGIN’ WITHOUT HOLINESS
If virginity alone were the standard of righteousness, even Satan could claim to be on equal footing with Jesus and His Blessed Mother. After all, he has no flesh, has never engaged in any carnal act, and yet he remains the epitome of evil (Isaiah 14:12–15). Does that make him holy? Certainly not! Because he, though untouched by physical impurity, is consumed by pride—the greatest sin that led to his fall (Ezekiel 28:17). Likewise, one may be physically pure but spiritually corrupt. Jesus Himself warned that sin originates from the heart, not merely from physical actions (Mark 7:21-23). Thus, virginity without righteousness is empty—it does not make one a saint.
THE TRUE MEANING OF PURITY—THE CASE OF “THE ADULTEROUS WOMAN”
When the woman caught in adultery (though the man was left behind) was brought before Jesus (John 8:1-11), He did not condemn her for losing her virginity. Instead, He addressed her life of sin and called her to transformation: “Go and sin no more”* (John 8:11). This shows that God’s concern is not about whether one has lost their virginity, but whether one is living in holiness. If virginity were the ultimate virtue, then prostitutes and sinners who repented would remain condemned. But Christ came to redeem, to cleanse, and to elevate sinners into saints.
THE DEVIL’S SUBTLE DECEPTION
Satan, as evil’s chief strategist, knows how to mask sin under a veil of false virtue. He can use virginity to hide deeper sins—pride, materialism, self-righteousness, and hypocrisy—just to lead souls to damnation. Many take pride in their virginity while harbouring arrogance, looking down on others, or indulging in secret sins like pornography, masturbation, and impure thoughts. Yet Jesus warned against such hypocrisy in Matthew 23:27. A person can remain a virgin yet be spiritually dead, enslaved by pride and self-righteousness. The devil is content with this, as long as the soul remains lost.

THE GOAL—A STRIVE FOR PERFECTION IN GOD, NOT JUST VIRGINITY
The call of Christianity is not merely to be virgins but to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). If virginity alone were the highest virtue, Scripture would have commanded, “Be virgins as your Father in Heaven is a virgin.” But instead, it calls us to perfection—a life fully surrendered to God in righteousness.
Furthermore, virginity is but one aspect of holiness, and without a heart of virtue, it is meaningless. This calls for deeper reflection on the lives of the saints. St. Augustine, who lived a life of impurity before conversion, became one of the greatest theologians in Christian history. St. Mary Magdalene, once possessed by demons, became one of Christ’s closest followers. Their stories prove that righteousness—not past mistakes—is what matters most to God.
RIGHTEOUSNESS: THE ULTIMATE STANDARD
If virginity were the sole requirement for holiness, then those who lost it due to sin, abuse, or ignorance would be forever condemned. But isn’t God’s grace greater than human failure? Of course, it is. 1 John 1:9 further clarifies that. Virginity in itself does not grant eternal life—only righteousness does. Put differently, the gates of heaven are open to all who repent and seek righteousness. Many will retain their virginity but miss heaven, while former sinners, washed in the grace of Christ, will enter eternal glory. No one is beyond redemption. God desires not just outward purity but inward transformation.
CONCLUSION
From the foregoing, it is clear that virginity, when pursued for the sake of God and accompanied by righteousness, is a beautiful virtue. However, it is not the ultimate goal but a means to a greater end. True holiness is the ultimate goal, and it is found in a life wholly dedicated to God—one that embodies humility, love, faith, and obedience.
Therefore, let no one boast in their virginity while neglecting righteousness, for even the purest body, if devoid of a pure heart, remains distant from God. Instead, let us pursue virginity in righteousness, the true path to divine perfection.

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