As winter approaches, how many of us are looking forward to snow? Every year, we jump for joy when we witness our first snowflake, no matter how tired we were of snow the previous winter. Admire the beauty of the ground and trees gradually turning white.
If you’re like me, you love looking at pure, unspoiled snow. There’s something about a perfect canvas of snow, untouched by nothing but the sun, that makes each snowflake sparkle.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, as believers, we could look at the canvas of our lives with the same desire for purity, uninfluenced by worldly “footprints” and legalistic “works,” so that the God of heaven could shine his light on us and reflect the purity of Christ to all those with whom we come into contact?
Christian purity is not just a moral boundary, but a transformative call to align our hearts, desires, and daily choices with God’s holiness so that our lives reflect God’s love in a world seeking light.
When God’s holiness led the Israelites into the wilderness, God guided and trained them in the way of purity to approach the tabernacle. The Lord wanted His people to be close to Him, but also to teach them the importance of His holiness. The same is true for us today…
Thank God. The Lord sent His Son Jesus. Because of this, when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, by God’s grace we are cleansed by God’s blood. “Come, come, let us reason together, saith the Lord, though your sins be red as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red as crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 So, while we are indeed white as snow in God’s eyes, that does not mean we can act however we please. The Lord still considers purity just as seriously, especially in the lives of believers.
When you see the word purity, the first thing that comes to mind is probably sexual purity. It is an essential form of remaining pure before the Lord, but we seek deeper Christian purity. Let’s look at four ways to fulfill that mission.
Purity should define your thought life
We destroy arguments and every pretense that oppose the knowledge of God, and we capture every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
We recently celebrated our granddaughter’s 1st birthday. It’s hard to believe that a whole year has passed. They literally grow and change before our eyes. As toddlers, they are very innocent. Whether you’re hungry, tired, or need a diaper change, crying is the only way to communicate your discomfort. But as it grows up, even without speaking, its little mind thinks and is curious, sometimes to its own detriment, and it quickly learns that its “thoughts” have led to harm to itself.
As adults, impure thoughts ultimately lead to harming ourselves and our relationship with God. Again, I’m not talking here in a sexual sense, but in terms of doubting God, lack of trust in His provision and healing, complaining about one’s circumstances, and thoughts that lead to coveting the world rather than genuinely pleasing the Lord. All these impure thoughts lead to dissatisfaction, worry, anxiety, lack of peace, conflicts with others, jealousy, and similar negative emotions. I don’t think it’s a happy life.
The Lord says to us, “Be holy as I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16 Holiness begins in the heart. When we consistently guard our thoughts and train ourselves to hold every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, a pure heart will emerge as a natural byproduct. We don’t hurt ourselves anymore. And don’t forget that “hurting others hurts others.”
Purity defines your thought life when you spend time in prayer and the Word every day. The more you meditate on the things of God, the more your heart will be filled with divine grace.
Words should be defined by purity
Don’t let any unhealthy talk come out of your mouth. Just tell stories that will benefit your listeners and help build others up as needed. Ephesians 4:29
The Lord wasn’t kidding when he said it was difficult to control the tongue. “The tongue cannot be controlled by man; it is an incorrigible evil and full of deadly poison.” James 3:8 Many Christians struggle with using profanity. When I first became a believer, there was a sin that I immediately hated. That was using the Lord’s name in vain. Praise God, I haven’t been a believer since. But stop applauding…I still sometimes have a hard time swearing in moments of frustration. As far as I know, I’m not alone in this. Why is it so satisfying to curse when you’re angry? It seems really ridiculous.
It’s not just foul language that pollutes our language. Gossip, dirty jokes, and words meant to cause pain should all be kept out of our conversations as believers.
Non-Christians watch our every word. As believers filled with the Lord’s grace, we are His representatives on earth. The way we speak reveals a lot about us as individuals. The last thing we want is for our language to taint the name of Christ. Rather, we should not participate in gossip. hold your tongue and pray
It makes me want to lash out. And most especially when you are convicted by the Holy Spirit of having said something, listen!
The more time we spend filling our hearts and minds with the things of God through God’s Word, fellowship with other believers, and church attendance, the more our words will reflect the love and grace of Christ.
Purity should define your behavior
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Many years ago, my husband, kids and I visited a Christmas tree farm to pick out a Christmas tree. Sometimes I get irritated by each person’s idea of the “perfect tree.” They may also get angry if it’s cold or people are hungry. In this special year, we
Everyone acted like a good Christian family. A couple noticed us and greeted us from the church where my husband was a pulpit speaker. After he left, I said to my husband: “Aren’t you glad we’re acting like the pastor and his family today?” lol.
Whether you are a pastor, a pastor’s wife, or a servant of the Lord, we are all called to act in ways that are pleasing to the Lord. When we begin our day asking God to move in us in everything we think, say, and do, God blesses us with pure actions. It takes discipline, but as purity rules the heart and words pour out grace through deeds, you will see obedience progress.
Live purely in everything you do with others
And as you would like others to do for you, do the same for them. Luke 6:31
Have you ever heard the saying, “There are too many people outside?” Let’s be honest. That may be the case. Being around a lot of people can lead to overstimulation. Even the pastor’s wife breathes a sigh of relief when she leaves church on Sunday morning to be alone. I’m an introvert and it takes a lot of effort to be intentional with anyone. But no matter how far out of my comfort zone it is, I do it in good faith out of love for my brothers and sisters in Christ.
It is important to not let our inner feelings affect how we treat others. Have you ever been to a store and felt like the cashier is a horrible person?I’m actually surprised when the person doing the ostensible job is kind to me. That’s a sad comment. I always try to tell them how refreshing their kindness was.
Even if you’re having a bad day or hating your job, it’s essential to show grace to others. Doing so will actually make you feel better. Purity in our words and actions when dealing with others nourishes our souls.
Sadly, our families probably see the worst in us. We are so comfortable with them that we take liberties with how we treat them. That shouldn’t be the case. In fact, our homes are training grounds for living in heaven with the body of Christ.
Instead, we must take care to serve our families in a special way. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility value others more than yourself.” Philippians 2:3
When you choose to live purely in interaction with others, you are literally representing the hands and feet of Christ. This happens naturally when your heart, words, actions, and deeds are all subject to and ready to listen to the Holy Spirit’s beliefs. After all, as we walk in purity as Christians, our Heavenly Father is leading us to a life of peace and joy.
questions.org perfectly encapsulates Christianity’s deeper call to purity. “When our hearts are clouded with impurities, we are unable to experience God’s presence or hear His voice. But when our claims to righteousness are based on what Jesus did (Titus 3:5), we
We strive to forsake sin (1 John 3:9), live with a pure heart, and enjoy pure fellowship with God. ”
Holy Spirit, help me to respond to the deeper call of Christian purity in everything I think, say, do, and treat others. In Jesus name, amen
What area of Christian purity do you struggle with the most?
What steps will you take this week to respond to a deeper call to Christian purity?
Photo credit: ©Tetiana Shyshkina/Unsplash
Karen Dell Tattoo is a blogger, author, women’s ministry leader, pastor’s wife, mother, and grandmother who is passionate about God’s Word. Her blog “Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge” and her books “Choosing to Trust God: Breaking the Habit of Worry, A 30-Day Devotional” and “Choosing to Trust God Companion Journal” reveal her heart offering biblical insights to inspire women to grow in, through, and overcome hardship. Karen and her husband live in Rhode Island and enjoy walking in the woods, petting owls, and spending time with their grandchildren.
