Philippians 4:8 - "Whatever Things Are Pure"

Saturday July 11“Whatever things are pure." Thisword speaks of that which is morally clean, undefiled, innocent, and holy. Itdescribes a life that has not been contaminated by the pollution of sin. Welive in a world that has almost lost the meaning of purity. Every day we aresurrounded by images, conversations, advertisements, movies, televisionprograms, websites, and social media that appeal to the lust of the flesh, thelust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Impurity has become so common thatmany people no longer blush at what once brought shame. ButGod has never lowered His standard. Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, "Blessedare the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Notice He did notsimply say, "Blessed are the pure in conduct." He said, "Blessedare the pure in heart." God is always interested in the condition of theheart because the heart determines the conduct of the life. That is why Paul istalking about our thinking. Long before sin becomes an action, it usuallybegins as a thought that has been entertained. Someonehas wisely said, "Sow a thought, and you reap an action. Sow an action,and you reap a habit. Sow a habit, and you reap a character. Sow a character,and you reap a destiny." Everything begins with what we allow our minds todwell upon. Job understood this battle. In Job 31:1 he declared, "Imade a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?"Job recognized that what entered through his eyes could influence what remainedin his mind. How much more important is that principle today? Neverbefore in history have people carried around in their pockets devices that caninstantly expose them to almost every form of impurity imaginable. That is whywe must be more intentional than ever about guarding our minds. David prayed inPsalm 101:3, "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes." Whata wonderful commitment! Imagine how different our lives would be if everybeliever prayed that prayer each morning. Paulgives similar instruction in Romans 13:14, "But put ye on the LordJesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the luststhereof." Notice he doesn't simply say, "Don't sin." Hesays, "Don't make provision for it." Don't feed it. Don't encourageit. Don't place yourself where temptation is invited to stay. Instead, fillyour mind with Christ. The wonderful truth is this: The more room God's Wordoccupies in your mind, the less room sinful thoughts have to remain. Lightalways drives out darkness. Truth always exposes lies. Purity always overcomescorruption. This does not mean that believers will never experience temptation.Even our Lord was tempted. But temptation is not sin. Sin begins when we chooseto entertain what God tells us to reject. Every time an impure thought entersyour mind, immediately bring it before the Lord. Replace it with Scripture.Turn your attention to Christ. Sing a hymn. Quote a Bible verse. Begin thankingGod for His goodness. The battle is won not merely by resisting evil but byfilling our minds with something far better. Perhapsthe greatest motivation for purity is not fear. It is love. When we truly lovethe Lord Jesus Christ, we want our thoughts to be pleasing to Him. David prayedin Psalm 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of myheart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Whata wonderful prayer for each of us. May the meditation of our hearts bring joyto the heart of our Savior. Today, ask yourself this question: "Would I becomfortable if the Lord Jesus could visibly read every thought that passesthrough my mind today?" The wonderful news is that He already does. Andyet He loves us enough to forgive us, cleanse us, and transform us. As we yieldour minds to Him, He continues making us more like Himself. Remember, God'sdesire is not merely clean hands. He desires clean hearts, pure minds, and holylives.