Fill the Gaps - The Process of Purity

I think many of us have been through that awkward talk with our parents or at youth group about purity. Our minds tend to go to sexual purity when we hear that word, but purity is so much more than that area of our being. It is even more than our morals and lack of sin. Purity comes from our whole being.

When we truly boil down the definition of purity, it helps to think about things we reach for that are pure, thus better for us or better quality. Pure honey, pure maple syrup, pure gold, pure essential oils...These things are more "whole" in what they actually are, meaning no additives. As we read Matthew 5:8, Jesus tells us, "blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God." This is a statement that should make us want to jump up and start deciding how to be "pure in heart".

As we carry on through our study of Ruth and how God blesses her in her faithfulness, we'll find a lady who is striving for purity, despite her background and her origin. As we read of the "intriguing" customs of her laying at Boaz's feet in the night, we will learn that this was an action of respect and endearment, not one of impurity. Ruth wanted to show her intentions, and as a result, she learn's that of Boaz's intentions, and together they see God shine through them in their character. (Ruth 3:1-15)

How do we strive to become pure in our being so that we may see God more and more?

Guard your heart. You have probably heard that passage out of Proverbs that says "above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."  These words weren't just placed in the Bible for you to share on facebook in the pretty, curly writing over top of a sunset image. They were put there as an intentional warning that helps us seek purity in our lives. Guarding our hearts means guarding our very center of life. When we are vulnerable to the things of this world that are not helping our walks with Christ, we are slowly giving pieces of our values over, and leaving God in the dust, when in all honesty, you can't live without Him. This passage not only means to guard your heart, but heart means your mind, understanding, being, character, will, inclination, soul...

Stop listening to your "heart". I cringe every time I see people post something like "I'm listening to my heart, and it tells me to..." or "those other curly font, meme things that say "Follow Your Heart." I'm here to tell you to never, ever listen to or follow your heart. It is deceptive and based on emotions and feelings. (Jeremiah 17:9) If I let my daughter listen to her heart or how she is feeling, she'd be made up of spoiled preschooler with every sparkly unicorn, pink baby, and full of fruit snacks for every meal. If I listened to my heart most days, I wouldn't have any friends and I would be working from my couch. The heart and emotions are real, but stupid. They know nothing. They react on impulse and no common sense. Just don't.

Watch your "input" - it equals your "output". Hanging with people who swear all the time will probably get you swearing a lot. Watching movies that are suggestive will probably desensitize you to what is unacceptable in God's eyes and make it more socially acceptable in your eyes. Not reading your Bible each day will not provide you the reminder of hope and empowerment for the day that comes from God, but it will cause you to lean on other things. How can you share the hope of Christ is you neglect to put it in your own soul? Strive for pure things to put pure out.

Leave room for Jesus. We used to tell kids at camp who got a little too close to "leave room for Jesus". Not only is this applicable teens in their public displays of affections, but for marriages and life in general. Marriages will only thrive when they have Christ at the center. Hope in the midst of struggles is only found in relying on God. You can find excitement in the mundane because you can see God working even in the woes of Monday, because the pure in heart will see God. Remember to have God in every aspect of your life.

Purity is acquired in time, and God will grace us that purity, but we also need to do our part in allowing Him to do so. Start watching your thoughts towards others. Take a knee in humility in order to gain understanding. Strive to seek Him in every area.

Scripture to Read:
Ruth 3:1-15, Proverbs 4:23

Questions to Ponder:
What does "purity" mean to you?
How can you strive for purity in your wholeness this week?
What do you need to to do make sure you are filled with Christ and not just emotions of the heart?