Living Pure

Blogger's Note: Happy Friday Friends! Today I wanted to take some time and dive into Purity month with you here at The Quiet Place. The topic of purity is something that is close to my heart. I realize that the daily battles fighting to stay pure are difficult ones. It isn't always easy saying no to the things that we know we should, especially when all are friends are participating in the same things. But living pure IS possible, and SO SO Good!

Dive into scripture with me this month as we take a journey to discover what purity is and what that means for us as Christian women.

Today we'll begin with...

Ephesians 4:17-32

Instructions for Christian Living

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

To purity and holiness.

(An excerpt from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible via Bible Gateway)

The apostle charged the Ephesians in the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus, that having professed the gospel, they should not be as the unconverted Gentiles, who walked in vain fancies and carnal affections. Do not men, on every side, walk in the vanity of their minds? Must not we then urge the distinction between real and nominal Christians? They were void of all saving knowledge; they sat in darkness, and loved it rather than light. They had a dislike and hatred to a life

of holiness, which is not only the way of life God requires and approves, and by which we live to him, but which has some likeness to God himself in his purity, righteousness, truth, and goodness. The truth of Christ appears in its beauty and power, when it appears as in Jesus. The corrupt nature is called a man; like the human body, it is of divers parts, supporting and strengthening one another. Sinful desires are deceitful lusts; they promise men happiness, but render them more miserable;

and bring them to destruction, if not subdued and mortified. These therefore must be put off, as an old garment, a filthy garment; they must be subdued and mortified. But it is not enough to shake off corrupt principles; we must have gracious ones. By the new man, is meant the new nature, the new creature, directed by a new principle, even regenerating grace, enabling a man to lead a new life of righteousness and holiness. This is created, or brought forth by God's almighty power.

(Eph 4:25-28)

A note from Matthew Henry's (non-concise) Commentary...

"Those who have learned Christ are saved from the darkness and defilement which others lie under; and, as they know more, they are obliged to live in a better manner than others... Christ is the lesson; we must learn Christ: and Christ is the teacher; we are taught by him..."

You can find more on this section of the commentary here.

"Christ is the lesson; we must learn Christ"

Purity is about this very thing; learning Christ. When we devote to learning Christ, we walk in obedience to God, we are prepared for whatever comes are way, we have victory over sin and temptation, and we protect are heart, body, mind, and spirit from harm. What a beautiful and rewarding thing it is to live in purity.