Purity starts in our heart and comes out in how we live.
Mark 12:30 tells us, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all of your mind, and with all of your strength...”
We prove our love for the Lord through obedience. We can evidence our love through purity of heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Heart - Your heart state, and what you love and believe, will impact every area of your life. Colossians 3:1-3, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”
Soul - The process of being purified starts at salvation and is life-long and essential.
1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Mind - It is essential that you accept the Lord’s grace to control and purify your mind. 2 Corinthians 10:5, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
Strength - What you do is an outflow of what is in your heart and is so important. Romans 6:13, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
Application:
1. Ask the Lord for His help to live in purity. We cannot live a life of purity on our own - but, He promises to give us grace for all that He calls us to do. Ask Him for His grace daily.
2. Fill your heart, soul, and mind with pure things.
Stop and evaluate what you are reading, listening to, watching, and thinking about. Ask yourself, “Will this encourage me towards the Lord and purity, or draw me away?” Be purposeful in filling your life with pure things and things that will encourage you in purity and loving Jesus.
These things include: - Memorizing Scripture - Listening to pure music - Reading books that will encourage you in your relationship with the Lord and purity - Spending time with friends who are seeking Jesus and purity - Listening to sermons and attending conferences - and so much more!
Choose one of these things to focus on in a special way this week.
3. Make pure choices to live in a pure way - each moment of each day.
This includes what you think, what you say, how you act, your attitudes, and what you do with your body. Stop and ask yourself, “Is how I am living at this moment pleasing the Lord through purity?” Remember, you are living to please and see Him!!! Every action has consequences. So, today as you decide what to think about, listen to, look at, do, etc. remember Who you are living for and the results of living a life of purity (See Follow up Week 1). It is a daily choice that bears incredible fruit.
Memory verse: Mark 12:30,“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all of your mind, and with all of your strength...”
As a result, the Lord will bring incredible impact in your life and the lives of others - from now through eternity!
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
May the Lord bless you as you seek to know Him and live lives of purity! We are praying for you and seeking with you!!! It is so worth it.
