Are We Really Pure?

Flee also youthful lusts, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those who call on the name of the Lord with a pure heart. 1 Timothy 3:22

I’m not telling you something that you don’t already know. We men have a target on our backs when it comes to purity. The enemy is “walking around like a roaring lion seeking to devour.”

We are bombarded with the images on the television, the internet, billboards – and with summer coming, we are going to have to be diligent when we go to places like the beach and boardwalk.

Steve Atterburn in his daily devotional based on his best-selling book, Every Man’s Battle, says that “you are sexually pure when NO sexual gratification comes from anyone or anything but your wife.”

He goes on to remind us that as men “we are able to draw outside sexual gratification from only two places: the eyes and the mind.”

While you might be able to boast that you have never cheated on your spouse in a physical way – can you say that you have never done so with your eyes? In your mind? In your heart?

Job was a man who was considered to righteous and blameless – he made a covenant with his eyes that he would not look upon any young woman. (Job 31:1) If this godly man had to make a covenant with his eyes – what makes me think that I could do less? Remember that for King David – his downfall with Bathsheba all started with a look.

We need to protect our minds. What are those thoughts that you might be thinking that you think no one else know about? Are you playing out dangerous scenarios in your mind? James reminds us that while the look is the first place of attack – taking it to the next step of allowing it to germinate in our minds is the next big downward step. Think about it long enough and it will eventually become a reality. That is why we need to take EVERY thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5)

And finally, we need to guard our hearts with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23).

I would urge you to do two things to help you. Start digging into Psalm 119 and read a chapter in Proverbs every day. It will be a great way for you to safeguard your eyes, your mind and your heart. More next week.

Running the race with joy,
Bill Welte
President/CEO

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 15-16; Matthew 14:22-36

Quote of the day: When the devil knocks at the door of my heart, I take Jesus by the hand. I ask Him to go with me to answer the door. When I open the door, the devil sees me and Jesus standing hand in hand and he says, “Excuse me, I must be at the wrong place.” He leaves. Herbert C. Gabhart

Bible Memory: How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Psalm 119:103-104