Purity is walking as a disciple of Jesus, even in the innermost parts of our lives.
Purity is not about our own righteousness. It is what God sings over us, and as we know Him, we desire to obey His commands. Before I knew how to walk in purity, He said He saw purity for me. “He is the God who calls into being things that were not” (Romans 4:17).
Purity is how God sees us, through the blood of Jesus.
Purity is righteousness by faith. It is forgiving ourselves and others by faith. It is knowing I am completely forgiven, by faith. ““Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins the Lord will never count against them” (Romans 4:7-8).
Purity must be led with vulnerability. In leading with vulnerability, others feel safe to share. No one but Jesus is the Savior, and each one of us needs Him. “…that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (Romans 1:12).
Men of Purity are Warriors.
An image of purity is often synonymous with a chaste, virginal girl; a feminine image, like a white flower.
When I was young, we were taught that women were the Gatekeepers of Purity. We were taught that “boys will be boys”, that men couldn’t help themselves, and so we women were responsible to ensure they don’t stumble by modifying our behavior.
When I was young, before I knew what love looked like, I often confused lust with love. When a guy lusted after me, I thought it was love, or love-like. But when I learned what love really was, I could easily distinguish between these two things, that are actually completely unalike. Lust felt like a guy trying to steal something that wasn’t his to take. It felt like a guy trying to sneak over the wall of my house in the secrecy of the dark rather than enter through the gate, in the right way, in the right time. It felt like an action that sought to destroy. And after understanding that what I am is worthy of LOVE, it became easy for me to say, “No way!” and wait as long as I have to for a man who honors me and who honors purity.
We are waiting for a generation of men who honor those walls and protect them and never dream of trying to break them down.
“I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” (1 John 2:14)
Consider a new imagery of purity: a strong warrior, standing in strength and victory, a lover of God’s ways, and an upholder of walls.
Purity is inextricably connected to forgiveness. Firstly, experiencing the forgiveness of God, and seeing (and accepting) how He sees you through the cross. Secondly, forgiving others – forgiving by faith and releasing every single person in your past who contributed to brokenness in your life. Thirdly, forgiving yourself. Seeing yourself washed and new and walking this way. No stain is found on you. It is almost a guarantee that you will experience thoughts from the enemy or words from people that say that your past defines you, and you will need to stand strong in the truth of what God says. God’s kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4), and forgiveness leads to love. “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown” Luke 7:47.
Purity is the process of learning to turn to an invisible God for all the needs and desires of the human heart.
Purity is an invitation to live as a free person. “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” (Hebrews 12:1)
Purity is mastering your sex drive so that it NEVER comes before honoring another human being. Purity is recognizing the value of all human beings and honoring that value.
Purity is important in singleness. “I wish I took purity more seriously, when it was just me, by myself. I thought what I did in my alone time didn’t really impact anything or anyone, but now that I’m in a relationship, it’s even more of a challenge to manage my sex drive. I wish I used my singleness as a time of strengthening that discipline.”
Purity involves the thoughts made in the secret places of the heart, which lead to choices, which lead to outward actions. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Purity involves the strengthening in the innermost places.
Purity is the process of being made more and more like Jesus. Purity is not sustainable without a relationship with Jesus. Purity will naturally follow a heart that knows Jesus.
Purity in singleness is abstinence like Jesus had: ｗhole, joyful, content, dependent on the Holy Spirit.
Purity is possible!
Purity can’t be learned through a 30 minute sermon. It is walked out through the life of discipleship. If the adults learn to walk in the true meaning of purity, they can model this for the youth in their lives. Purity is better ‘caught’ than taught.
Purity is being free from the fear of falling again. “You’ve done it before, you’re strong now but are going to feel weak again. It’s only a matter of time… Anticipate your defeat… Forget aiming for purity. It’s pointless and will only end in failure.” Do you recognize that voice? It’s the devil, the enemy of our souls. Tell him to shut up! Believe truth! “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
I boast in Christ who made me pure. Because I’m boasting in the crazy power of God to turn a broken captive, ensnared to serving the idols she had worshipped, into a freed, whole, restored daughter who knows her worth and worships only One. And I boast because if He did it for me, he can do it for anyone.
