As Christians, it is our responsibility to be pure. And I'm not just talking about sexual purity, although that is one part of it. Purity is the state of being that answers the question, "What is your motivation?". It's not easy to be pure in every thought, word, and action that we have, but if we want people to really know Jesus and understand what He's all about, purity is just one attribute of many that we have a responsibility to portray.
Don't let people tell you that purity is overrated. I think we all know what sexual purity is, but let's clarify one thing: all types of purity have more to do with why you're doing what you're doing than they do with the actual action. The same is true of sexual purity. It is ridiculously easy to justify what we do by saying, "At least I didn't do that." But that is not the point.
In the world we live in today, the mentality that we can do whatever we want whenever we want is so emphasized (especially for women). Just because we can do whatever we want doesn't mean that we should, especially when our motivations are impure.
If our motives are wrong, then the action is automatically wrong, and drastically corrupted. One of the definitions of pure that the Merriam-Webster dictionary gives is "free from what vitiates, weakens, or pollutes". I think that definition speaks for itself.
Purity is strengthening, incorruptible, and beautiful. Pure people are kind because they want to be, gracious because they love Jesus, and sincere because they know Jesus, who is full of grace and truth.
Here are seven verses to encourage each of us to purify ourselves from the inside out just as Christ is pure (1 John 3:3), so that we may speak and act with motivations that are pure gold, with no corruptions or weaknesses.
My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them,and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance,for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
3. Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
4. James 3:9-10
With [our mouth] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
(Emphasis mine.)
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy."
