[Read the verses before you read the rest. Open up the link to read online or open up your Bible.]
Keep yourself pure.
1 Timothy 5:22
Pure. The Greek translated as pure means pertaining to being without moral defect or blemish and hence pure (Geek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains, Louw-Nida).
In a fallen world, as fallen people, where none are without sin, this is clearly not something we can achieve on our own. Jesus is the only One who purifies and makes us white as snow. But there are things we can do to keep ourselves pure once Jesus has washed us clean:
Be obedient to His Word.
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
Psalm 119:9 ESV
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth...
1 Peter 1:22 ESV
Recognize your sin and come to Him with a repentant heart.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:2-7 ESV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 ESV
Memorize His Word.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11 NIV
Guard your mouth.
When there are many words, transgression is not lacking,
but the prudent are restrained in speech.
Proverbs 10:19 NASB95
Be careful where you look and focus your attention.
"The eye is the lamp of the body.
So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,
but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.
If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!..." ---Jesus
Matthew 6:22 ESV
Guard your thought life, don't let your mind wander.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 ESV
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God,
and take every thought captive to obey Christ...
2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
Test what you hear against the Word by the power of the Holy Spirit.
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit,
according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world,
and not according to Christ.
Colossians 2:8 ESV
Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit.
You must test them to see of the spirit they have comes from God.
For there are many false prophets in the world.
1 John 4:1 NLT
These are a few of our responsibilities in maintaining the purity Christ blesses us with at our conversion. They are important to our faith and our witness.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8 ESV
Share ways you keep yourself pure. Write them in the Comment Box. Click the post title and scroll to the bottom to find the box. Follow the directions.
Father God, I want to see You clearly and for others to see You through me.
Teach me to keep my way pure. And thank You for Your forgiveness in Christ Jesus.
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