KJV Dictionary Definition: pure, a. L. purus. – Genuine; real; true; incorrupt; unadulterated; as pure religion. James 1.
Merriam-Webster Definition: PURE – Not mixed with anything else; clean and not harmful in any way; having a smooth and clear sound that is not mixed with other sounds; morally good
Psalm 119:1-2 states “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”
Have you ever thought, “How Am I suppose to live a pure life when the world around me is so wicked?”
The Greek word for pure is αγνός, which translates into English as chaste, clean, or clear.
Psalm 119:9 tells us the way to make our ways pure is to take heed to God’s Word.
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” Psalm 119:9
In essence, we are to keep our state of mind and actions pure.
Sadly, our culture encourages the young people to live life to the fullest and if it feels good to do it. Purity seems to be regarded as no big deal. We cannot fill our minds with junk and expect to be able to live a pure life.
We must guard our hearts diligently, be aware of our weaknesses and guard them at all costs (Proverbs 4:23). The devil will hit you when you least expect it.
The story of Joseph in Genesis 39 is a good example. Joseph was sold into slavery as a young man. He was torn from a godly family and thrown into a wicked world he knew nothing of. Yet, God was with him, and with God’s strength, he prospered in all he did.
Temptation saw an opportunity to bring him down. Because Joseph kept a close relationship with his Heavenly Father, he was able to resist temptation when it came knocking.
Not only must we commit to be pure in every area of our lives, but we also need to develop a strategy to stay pure. Joseph was able to remain pure because he had made a prior commitment to moral purity. If you commit to being a person of integrity in all areas of your life, it will be easier to resist temptation when it comes along.
We keep our hearts and minds pure by focusing upon living out the Word of God in our daily lives. The only way we can do that is to determine to study and memorized God’s Word.
How does one live a pure life?
- Accept Christ as your personal Saviour.
The first step to living a pure life is to have Christ living in your heart (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10; John 3:16). It is impossible to evade the temptations of this world in your own strength. God’s grace will help you through each trial and He will guide your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6).
- Seek God in all you do
Simply desire to keep Christ at the center of all you do (Matthew 6:33; 1 Chronicles 16:11; Hebrews 11:1)
- Memorize Scripture
The Bible contains a wealth of truths and wisdom that can be applied to our daily lives.
- Memorizing Scripture will help you resist temptation (Psalm 119:9-16; James 4:7; Galatians 5:13-15 )
- Memorizing Scripture helps us live obediently (2 Corinthians 10:5; Psalm 119:9)
- Memorizing Scripture brings blessings and success (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1)
- Memorizing Scripture allows us to be ready to encourage others (Romans 15:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; Philippians 4:13; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 41:10)
“The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.” ― Dwight L. Moody
- Value Your Family and Choose Your Friends Wisely
Your relationships can greatly influence the person you are. It’s one thing to be friends with a person who is working on growing in the Lord, but it is very different to be friends with one who doesn’t care about his sin nor controls it. Our spiritual growth can be significantly hindered if we choose to hang around ungodly people. (2 Corinthians 6:14)
- Be Transformed By Renewing Your Mind
Christ is our refuge, strength, and help in times of trouble (2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 46:1; Isaiah 25:4). We can only succeed in spiritual warfare by arming ourselves with spiritual weapons as in Ephesians 6:10-18 and 2 Corinthians 10:1-6. We keep our minds spiritually renewed by meditating on God’s Word daily and prayer. We must ask the Lord daily for the strength to withstand the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11).
Daily ask the Lord for wisdom and guidance to live a pure life.
