October 11th, 2025
In a world that often blurs the lines between right and wrong, how can we live with genuine purity? It's easy to fall into the trap of comparison, thinking "At least I'm not as bad as that person." But what if we're called to something far greater?
The concept of purity goes beyond simply avoiding certain behaviors. It's about aligning our hearts, minds, and actions with God's standard of holiness. This journey begins by adjusting our lenses – how we view ourselves, others, and most importantly, God.
Let's consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:27-30:
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell."
At first glance, these words might seem harsh or extreme. But Jesus isn't advocating for literal self-mutilation. He's emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the importance of dealing with it at its root – in our hearts.
The issue isn't simply about avoiding adultery in the physical sense. It's about recognizing that impurity begins in our thoughts and intentions. When we look at another person with "lustful intent," we're no longer seeing them as a fellow human being created in God's image. Instead, we're reducing them to an object of our desires.
This mindset is a consequence of the Fall described in Genesis 3. Instead of men and women ruling over creation together as God intended, sin introduced a dynamic of domination and objectification. Every time we entertain lustful thoughts, we're participating in this broken paradigm.
But why does this matter so much? Because the things we think about and focus on shape who we become. Our thoughts influence our actions, which in turn form our character. When we consistently engage in impure thoughts or consume explicit content, it rewires our brains. Studies have shown that this can lead to symptoms similar to drug addiction, including social isolation, mood disorders, and damaged relationships.
So how do we fight against these tendencies and live with true purity? Jesus uses strong language to emphasize the urgency of this battle. He says it would be better to lose an eye or a hand than to allow sin to consume our whole being. While this isn't meant to be taken literally, it underscores the need for drastic action in dealing with sin.
However, simply trying harder through sheer willpower often isn't enough. We need something more powerful – a transformative encounter with true beauty.
King David understood this. In Psalm 27:4, he writes:
"One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."
David's deepest desire was to gaze upon God's beauty. This isn't about physical appearance – the New Testament never describes Jesus' looks. Instead, it's about being captivated by God's character, His holiness, His love, and His perfection.
When we truly gaze upon God's beauty, it changes us from the inside out. We become what we worship. If we're constantly fixated on worldly desires or comparing ourselves to others, that's what will shape our character. But if we intentionally focus our attention on God's goodness and glory, we'll gradually be transformed into His likeness.
This transformation doesn't happen overnight. It requires consistent effort to redirect our gaze. It means spending time in God's presence through prayer, worship, and meditation on His Word. It involves pondering the life of Jesus – His perfect example, His sacrificial death, and His triumphant resurrection.
Living with purity isn't about being better than the worst person we can think of. It's about being set apart for God – holy, as He is holy. This calling goes far beyond simply avoiding certain behaviors. It's an invitation to experience the fullness of life as God intended, free from the chains of comparison and the emptiness of fleeting pleasures.
Imagine a world where people treated each other with genuine respect and dignity, seeing the image of God in every person they encountered. This vision becomes possible when we allow God to transform our hearts and minds by focusing on His beauty.
As we pursue purity, we must remember that it's not about perfection through our own efforts. It's about surrendering to God's transforming power and allowing His beauty to captivate us more than anything else. When temptation comes – whether through a song, a movie, a book, or a person – we have the choice to redirect our gaze to the One who will never let us down.
In those moments of struggle, we can declare:
"You're never gonna let, You're never gonna let me down
You're never gonna let, You're never gonna let me down
'Cause You are good, You're good."
This isn't just positive thinking; it's a profound truth that can anchor our souls. When we truly believe in God's goodness and faithfulness, it becomes easier to resist temporary pleasures that ultimately leave us empty.
Living with purity is a daily choice to set our hearts on things above. It's about becoming so enamored with God's beauty that everything else pales in comparison. As we do this, we become salt and light in a world desperately in need of hope and transformation.
May we have the courage to tear out whatever causes us to sin, not through self-mutilation, but by allowing God to perform deep heart surgery. May we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, gazing upon His beauty until we reflect it to the world around us.
The concept of purity goes beyond simply avoiding certain behaviors. It's about aligning our hearts, minds, and actions with God's standard of holiness. This journey begins by adjusting our lenses – how we view ourselves, others, and most importantly, God.
Let's consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:27-30:
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell."
At first glance, these words might seem harsh or extreme. But Jesus isn't advocating for literal self-mutilation. He's emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the importance of dealing with it at its root – in our hearts.
The issue isn't simply about avoiding adultery in the physical sense. It's about recognizing that impurity begins in our thoughts and intentions. When we look at another person with "lustful intent," we're no longer seeing them as a fellow human being created in God's image. Instead, we're reducing them to an object of our desires.
This mindset is a consequence of the Fall described in Genesis 3. Instead of men and women ruling over creation together as God intended, sin introduced a dynamic of domination and objectification. Every time we entertain lustful thoughts, we're participating in this broken paradigm.
But why does this matter so much? Because the things we think about and focus on shape who we become. Our thoughts influence our actions, which in turn form our character. When we consistently engage in impure thoughts or consume explicit content, it rewires our brains. Studies have shown that this can lead to symptoms similar to drug addiction, including social isolation, mood disorders, and damaged relationships.
So how do we fight against these tendencies and live with true purity? Jesus uses strong language to emphasize the urgency of this battle. He says it would be better to lose an eye or a hand than to allow sin to consume our whole being. While this isn't meant to be taken literally, it underscores the need for drastic action in dealing with sin.
However, simply trying harder through sheer willpower often isn't enough. We need something more powerful – a transformative encounter with true beauty.
King David understood this. In Psalm 27:4, he writes:
"One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."
David's deepest desire was to gaze upon God's beauty. This isn't about physical appearance – the New Testament never describes Jesus' looks. Instead, it's about being captivated by God's character, His holiness, His love, and His perfection.
When we truly gaze upon God's beauty, it changes us from the inside out. We become what we worship. If we're constantly fixated on worldly desires or comparing ourselves to others, that's what will shape our character. But if we intentionally focus our attention on God's goodness and glory, we'll gradually be transformed into His likeness.
This transformation doesn't happen overnight. It requires consistent effort to redirect our gaze. It means spending time in God's presence through prayer, worship, and meditation on His Word. It involves pondering the life of Jesus – His perfect example, His sacrificial death, and His triumphant resurrection.
Living with purity isn't about being better than the worst person we can think of. It's about being set apart for God – holy, as He is holy. This calling goes far beyond simply avoiding certain behaviors. It's an invitation to experience the fullness of life as God intended, free from the chains of comparison and the emptiness of fleeting pleasures.
Imagine a world where people treated each other with genuine respect and dignity, seeing the image of God in every person they encountered. This vision becomes possible when we allow God to transform our hearts and minds by focusing on His beauty.
As we pursue purity, we must remember that it's not about perfection through our own efforts. It's about surrendering to God's transforming power and allowing His beauty to captivate us more than anything else. When temptation comes – whether through a song, a movie, a book, or a person – we have the choice to redirect our gaze to the One who will never let us down.
In those moments of struggle, we can declare:
"You're never gonna let, You're never gonna let me down
You're never gonna let, You're never gonna let me down
'Cause You are good, You're good."
This isn't just positive thinking; it's a profound truth that can anchor our souls. When we truly believe in God's goodness and faithfulness, it becomes easier to resist temporary pleasures that ultimately leave us empty.
Living with purity is a daily choice to set our hearts on things above. It's about becoming so enamored with God's beauty that everything else pales in comparison. As we do this, we become salt and light in a world desperately in need of hope and transformation.
May we have the courage to tear out whatever causes us to sin, not through self-mutilation, but by allowing God to perform deep heart surgery. May we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, gazing upon His beauty until we reflect it to the world around us.
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