Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure”. Hebrews 13:4

Today’s quiet time focus is on purity, a term we often use to relate to the lifestyle of a believer. I was engrossed in completing my in depth study of Hebrews and chapter 13:4 got my attention. It states “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure”. Although the focus in the passage is centred on marriage, the term purity got me thinking about how I genuinely understood the word and how a believer can actively live in purity.

Online definitions suggest that purity is ”freedom from adulteration or contamination” or “freedom from immorality, especially of a sexual nature”.

One synonym of purity that I found is virtue. However, I would suggest that virtue is as a result of remaining in purity. To put it simply, when you are pure you are valuable. Think about how it’s held in high esteem that a woman remains a virgin prior to marriage, it’s because it signifies the woman is honourable and respects herself.

The bible concordance defines Purity as “sinlessness of life, cleanliness or chastity”. What a beautiful way to express the meaning. Most times we think of purity as keeping away from sexual immorality (which is true!) but there are more facets to purity than we generally consider.

One synonym of purity that I found is virtue. However, I would suggest that virtue is as a result of remaining in purity. To put it simply, when you are pure you are valuable. Think about how it’s held in high esteem that a woman remains a virgin prior to marriage, it’s because it signifies the woman is honourable and respects herself.

The bible concordance defines Purity as “sinlessness of life, cleanliness or chastity”. What a beautiful way to express the meaning. Most times we think of purity as keeping away from sexual immorality (which is true!) but there are more facets to purity than we generally consider.

As I leaned into learning about purity God taught me that there are three types of purity:

1) Purity of the Body – This focuses mainly on the sin of engaging in sexual immorality or distortion of your bodily autonomy from its original orientation. “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

2) Purity of the Heart – This entails one’s motives and intentions towards God, men and personal desires. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8 NIV

3) Purity of the Mind – The mind is your thoughts, processing of information, memory bank, controls your body and more. “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Knowing that purity is regarded in the Word of God, let’s make an active effort to live a life of purity by studying the Practical ways to stay pure:

• Be in your Bible – “ How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• Consider what you Entertain in your Mind – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬

• Guard your Thought Gate – “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• Pray about it – “pray continually,” 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬

Can you think of anymore practical ways?