Purity; The Series

The Basics

Purity is a word commonly used among Christians, however, few seem to understand what it means or how to live a pure life.  

Purity takes many forms in our lives as followers of Christ, let’s dive into what they are and how we can live the life God has called us to. 

What is purity?

According to Merriam-Webster pure is defined as, “unmixed with any other matter, free from dust, dirt, or taint, spotless and stainless.”

In the Bible, the word pure is defined physically and spiritually. In the physical sense, it refers to being clean and emptying out. Spiritually it encompasses many areas, in the Old Testament we read of having a clean conscience or being guiltless (Psalms 26:6, 73:13). 

In the New Testament, the focus of purity is on the inside. Sexual purity (Titus 2:5), moral purity (1 Peter 3:2), and mental purity (1 Timothy 5:22) are just a few aspects of what living pure really means. 

The different aspects of purity

I believe though purity takes many forms in our walk with God, the three main areas to focus on are sexual purity, a pure mind, and a pure heart. 

1 Corinthians 6:18 is one of my favorite verses regarding sexual purity.

Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

This verse points out the difference between sexual sin and every other type of sin. When you tell a lie or slander a friend, yes, you have sinned, but those sins can be forgiven and resolved and nothing substantial will be lost. However, when you are involved in sexually immorallity you have sinned against your own body. Virginity is a treasure, once it is lost, while your sin can be forgiven, it can never be given back.

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Phillipians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

It’s easy for us to focus on the outward expressions of purity, but the truth is that purity comes from inside of us. If your mind is impure, defiled with all the junk of this world, your life will bear the fruit of that. I used to believe that I could think about impure things at it wouldn’t affect me, I viewed my mind as a filter, thinking that I could sift through everything that I was allowing to reside in my mind without any problems. Then one day, I was at a youth rally and something the pastor said changed my life. 

He gave the example of a football game, there is a lot happening on the field, making it difficult for the quarterback to see exactly where to throw the ball. But during practice or drills, when the field is clear, the quarterback can easily see who to throw the ball to. Our minds are the same way, when they are filled with the impurities of the world, we can’t think straight and make a “clear pass”. Your mind is not a filter that you should allow everything into.

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Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart,

For they shall see God.

Proverbs 4:23

Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life.

Of the three areas mentioned, this is the most critical. Another version of Proverbs 4:23 says the heart “determines the course of your life’. 

Jesus said that even looking at someone with lust means committing adultery in your heart (Matthew 5:28), and hating your brother makes you a murderer (1 John 3:15) all sin starts in the heart. This is why guarding your heart from the impurities of this world is so important. When your heart is defiled the course of your life will be also. However, the pure in heart “shall see God,” how incredible!

But I’ve messed up

Maybe you aren’t living purely, or you have failed in the past, whether it be sexually, mentally, or in your heart, there is hope! My late grandfather used to say, 

“As long as there is breath there is hope.” 

That statement is so true, we serve a God who redeems and restores. Ephesians 1:7 says,

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

No matter what you have done the blood of Jesus has the power to wash you white as snow (Isaiah 1:18) and make you into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Over the next few weeks we will be diving in to what it means to live a wholly pure life, and the wonderful grace of God for those who have missed the mark. Please follow along and share this series with whomever you believe it will help or encorage.