Read Philippians 4:8

To be pure.

What do you think of? Water from a spring, an adolescent child, snow even? When researching “What does it mean to be pure?” to try and gain an understanding of the perspective of our culture, the main things that came up were “Purity of heart” or other articles regarding a movement of purity that is widely controversial.

However, when Paul was encouraging the Philippians to stand firm in the Lord, in Philippians 4 especially, he was trying to remind them of the things that root us in a strong foundation. Purity, of course, in the first century was one that was foreign to most because you had pagan cultures deprived of God surrounding you. The church was the minority.

Sound familiar?

Here is Paul reminding them to think of whatever is pure. Which, principally speaking, also pertains to what they do, see, think and walk in. In order to have a pure life, you need to have a pure heart. Pure living follows purity of the heart but also purity of the mind.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “What you put in is what will come out?” I think I first heard this in youth group, while in middle school. Like every hormonal teenager, I rolled my eyes only thinking, “I know some things are wrong but I’ll be okay…”.

Turns out, I wasn’t and I wish I had asked more questions about what that actually meant. It wasn’t until I was in my early 20’s that the Lord showed me exactly how my choices in what I did, saw, watched and thought affected my walk with Him.

I think James says it best in the first chapter of his writings. Sin produces death. Now, does James mean physical death? No. However, he speaks of the death of our spiritual life. The more we give into the things that are not of God, the more we die spiritually.

When standing firm in Jesus and our walk with Him on this earth, we are going to be challenged by many things of this world; temptations, discontentment, greed, fear…etc. However, the Lord is with us. He provides the strength to stand firm in choosing that which is holy, choosing that which is set apart from the world and what culture is telling us is good or beautiful or right.

When I think of purity, I am challenged to think about what I watch, listen to, read, do… and compare that to the holiness of God. Would He approve? Does it cause me to glorify Him in my choices or satisfy what I want? I am challenged to evaluate my life. How do I spend my time? Is it pure of heart? Is it holy? Does it help my spiritual life grow or die?

Stand firm in the Lord… think of whatever is pure.

Kelly Lawson