#IChoosePurity [Part Four]: Purity as a LIFESTYLE

Purity isn't something you become and once you have it you have it. Its not something you can gain nor lose – it’s a DAILY DECISION you need to make. It means to be RENEWED daily – in your minds, our emotions, our actions, etc.

So you’re probably thinking: “If it’s that simple then why don’t we see ourselves as pure, etc?”

The enemy is constantly trying to DISTRACT us from the purity Jesus bought for us by washing us clean with His blood. The enemy uses Shame (I hate me) and Guilt (I hate what I’ve done) to distract us from God’s voice. (I love you, Let me restore you).

Ok, so now that we know that God wants to help us live a pure lifestyle, what do we need to do claim it?

There are no steps or rules to grace. Then it won’t be grace. We have been washed clean by grace. We are washed clean every single day. This is an inside out process. We have to allow ourselves daily to take what He has already given us – which is purity.

“With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against Him. (the battle starts in our minds and plants its roots in our hearts)

They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. (Denying inner feelings of shame and continuing to live an impure lifestyle)

But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth (what the Bible says – in other words, what you are reading now) that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.

Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy.” Eph4:17-24.

EMBRACE YOUR GRACE GIVEN PURITY.

It is yours. You are like Him. No matter what the enemy is trying to convince you of in your mind. You are worthy of being pure. You are worthy of His grace. You are worthy of being pure and righteous in the presence of God.

YOU ARE PURE. LIVE LIKE IT.

And remember, you WILL makes mistakes again along the way, and the enemy will try to distract you from your Godly Identity and authority over impure thoughts and action… but it will only become a stain on your white cloth (your now snow white heart) if YOU believe it belongs there – because GOD doesn’t. 

I still make ‘impure’ decisions… often. But the secret is to not allow those choices to define you. No matter what:

 YOU ARE PURE. LIVE LIKE IT.

In the conclusion of the #IChoosePurity series, we will answer the big question: How far is too far? I bet you will never expect the answer…

#IChoosePurity [Part Two]: your past and future relationships

In this post we look at purity and love relationships and why the least we could do now is to begin being pure for our current or future spouse.

So you’ve slept with someone before? Or you've compromised sexually? Or you haven’t done anything physically but you've fantasized or engaged in pornography? Which means you’re still technically pure, right?

Let’s look at why being “technically” pure isn't a real thing…

 “She does him (her husband) good, all the days of her life.” Prov31:12. 

Not beginning the day she marries him or falls in love with him or meets him; ALL the days. So even at this very moment one should be faithful to your current or future spouse…

Just think about it. If you have compromised and are still “technically” pure you still sit with feelings of guilt or shame. Don’t agree with me? Well, would you tell someone you have just met exactly how far you and your partner have gone? Didn’t think so. You are most probably suppressing those feelings of shame and guilt or justifying what you’ve done by hiding behind “I haven’t had sex yet, so I am still a virgin.”

Purity doesn’t work like that. As said in Part One, purity is about more than just the physical – it’s a matter of the heart. And shame and guilt are chains that the enemy has around your heart and he is slowly but surely suffocating your inner beauty and freedom by convincing you that you are condemned, unworthy of being called clean, and undeserving of forgiveness and a godly relationship.

You might not even be aware of these feelings yet, but they will, and most probably are, surface in your relationship with your partner and even your relationship with yourself.

So it comes down to being faithful to your future spouse before you even meet them. Don’t compromise; don’t expose yourself to things that could trigger thoughts about lust or addictions to it. These examples may not seem very harmful, but that’s exactly what the enemy does – he comes quietly and plants little seeds in your minds about minor things, and then, with enough exposure to these toxic things, these seeds grow and grow until it shows its roots in your life… And the funny thing is that the enemy even convinces you that it’s your fault – that he had nothing to do with it – and YOU sit with the guilt (I hate what I’ve done) and shame (I hate me)… Thus, prevention is better than cure they say: don’t compromise; don’t expose yourself to things that could trigger thoughts about lust or addictions to it.

Do you want to spend the rest of your life with someone who is insecure to a point where you have to try and convince them every day of their beauty and worth? Someone who hates themselves behind the mask they wear? Someone who has anger and bitterness in them about what they have done and is constantly taking it out on you or others?

I guess not. Then if you don’t want someone like that, then surely you shouldn’t be like that either… Cause your spouse wouldn’t want someone like that either…unless you decide NOW to be pure. And yes, it is possible – regardless of your past. That is a fact. Be the person you want to meet.

In Part Three we will look at how YOU can be PURE.