Purity:
As a pure person, you desire a clean and whole life free from corruption and compromise. Your desire for purity leads you to avoid and resist temptations that would pollute or weaken your character.
What does living a purified life means?
Real purity comes because of believing that the Lord Jesus died in your place to ransom you from impurity. Pure living increases as you work together with the Holy Spirit to live as a redeemed child of God. Purity describes who you are and what you do.
Philippians 4:8 NKJV
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 praise-worthy meditate on these things.
Paul is telling us that we need to the good and honorable things in the world as opposed to the lies that Satan tries to weave into the world. We are to feed our minds with whatever is pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy- all the things that help us stay focused on Gods love for us. This radical way of filling our minds with truth and all good things is a challenge, especially during the most trying times. But as we actively practice this, even in the most difficult moments, we can fight painful situations, trails, and all difficult things we face. Its a way to reclaim and live our lives with love, hope, faith and gratefulness in the full blessings and love of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1 NKJV
1. There, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
We must clean ourselves up in body and spirit. Since God lives in believers right now in the Holy spirit, Christians must remove from their lives anything that is in any way opposed to God.
1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV
12. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
An encouragement for young people to live in a way that reflects their faith, setting a positive example for others in their speech, actions, love, faith, and purity. Our conduct, the way we act, should fall in with seeking first the kingdom of God. if we are truly seeking God, and not attention or the approval of others, our faith will affect our conduct and we will be less likely to sin.
5 ways God honors a purified life:
The Bible says that one day all people will bow down to the Lord. no matter how powerful someone might be (or think they are), we will all lay our crowns at Gods feet- because there is only one King in heaven. He alone is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise.
1. Honor God with your time:
How are you using your time with God? you have been given it to glorify God? God cares a lot about how we spend our time. Scripture is packed with reminders that were called to number our days. Psalms 90:12. so teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Be very careful, then how you live not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-17.
2. Honor God with your talents:
These are your God-given gifts and abilities. The Bible encourages Christians to be faithful stewards of our God-given gifts. Using your talents for God can help you find purposeful work and share Gods love. Depending on what your gifts are, you will most likely be using those talents in different ways.
3. Honor God with your temple:
This means your body. God also wants you to dedicate your body to him. The Bible say, dont you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? you do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.
4. Honor God with your treasure:
This means your finances. As Jesus said, Where your treasures are, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21. Evidently throughout the New Testament it has a twofold usage as describing. 1. Material treasure, either money or other valuable material possession, 2. Spiritual treasure, e.g. like unto treasure hid in a field.
Matthew 13:44 NKJV
44. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells gall that he has and buys that field.
Christs message is that the kingdom of heaven is trading for everything a person owns, in order to come into possession of it. This is a difficult principle of humanity to accept.
Matthew 12:35 NKJV
35. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil things.
Good people generally produce good things out of a good treasure within them. Evil people generally produce evil things from the evil treasure they carry. The heart of a person reveals the nature of a person by what comes out in their words and actions. In building this principle, Jesus is rejecting two possibilities. This is a good reminder that everything we say and do is turning us into who we will be good or evil.
5. Honor God with your ticker:
This means your heart. There are many Bible verses that encourage us to make God number one in our heart. Your honor of God must come from and be in your heart. God must come first. Your spirit man is alive and well. Honoring God is not about the externals; it is a heart issue! We cannot honor God with lip service or with religious traditions and legalism. Mark 7:8-9 8. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men-the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.9. He said to them, All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. To honor God, it must begin in the heart. It means to prize and value Him in our hearts above all things.
