Modern-day etiquette books make the assumption that all teens will inevitably lose their virginity. This disturbs columnist Meghan Cox Gurdon, who worries about the message it sends, since these books create "a moral framework, a matrix of what is reasonable and acceptable." These books instruct youth on how to behave politely, but when it comes to a life-shaking decision like when to have and not have sex, they take an it's-going-to-happen-anyway approach rather than giving sound advice to abstain.

Quoting from the 1922 book by Emily Post, Etiquette, Gurdon draws attention to the strict advice to keep hands-off and pay attention to decorum: "In such environments [dances], modesty and public decorum had been required 'because people were on exhibition, where now they are unnoticed components of a general crowd'" ("Emily Post Would Be Rightly Appalled," Online.WSJ.com, Feb. 4, 2010).

God's law makes His followers stand out from the "unnoticed components of a general crowd." Don't be afraid to stand out, as your example may lead others to God.