Pursuit of Purity

Arise, O men of God, and stand in the gap for purity of life in word, in thought, and in deed. Putting on display holy and temperate living is a rare commodity in today’s promiscuous society that promulgates immodesty and even pornography as acceptable for consumption. Women are not to be spoken of in a derogatory manner or looked upon in a demeaning way. Men, we have a responsibility to live godly and treat women around us in a godly fashion (1 Timothy 5:2).

  This type of pure living will require vigilance. It will take a concerted effort of intentionally keeping some things out of view, and then at other times keeping our eyes focused only on that which is for viewing (Psalm 101:3). There will always be times that we unintentionally see something we should not and would rather not see, yet we must train ourselves not to give our attention to improper viewing (what we have noticed at-a-glance - we do not ever give a second glance). Look not on a woman to lust after her in your heart (Matthew 5:27-28). Desires that are never to be fulfilled, when entertained, become sinful and lead to our ruin and the defrauding of another (James 1:14-15). Thus, be like Job and make a strong commitment to guard your mind and heart from dwelling on a woman with sensual thoughts (Job 31:1, 9). Do not lust in your heart after a woman that is revealing her beauty with the intent to capture your attention while seeking your affections (Proverbs 6:25).

  God’s call on our lives is to holiness and not to that which is impure  (1 Thessalonians 4:7). God has given us His Spirit as those that are blood-bought children, so that we can abstain from fornication with a self-control over our bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, 8). A Godlike love will mean that we sacrifice our own sinful desires on behalf of others to promote their welfare in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:9; Ephesians 5:1-3). Christ, himself, sacrificed His life to provide us with the opportunity, by faith, to live out our lives in a way that would represent His perfect purity as we treat the opposite sex with true love and respect in holiness. In this way, we will conduct ourselves for the greatest blessing and benefit of the women around us, and that which is in our best interests as well, because it is, ultimately, in the realm of Christ’s glory and virtue  (2 Peter 1:3)!