Living Pure in an Impure World

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. –Titus 1:15 (NKJV)

Okay, so not the most sought-after small group topic, especially for a group of single men; but this was our group discussion last night. Why? Well in short, for a few reasons: First, statistics have shown that up to 80% of Christian singles are still having sex outside of marriage. Second, the defilement of this world goes far beyond sexual exploits- it has infected our culture, our minds, and our families. As Christian believers and fathers, we must learn how to stand against the world and seek Christ through it all. Finally, we are called to lead our children in Christ and not the ways of this world (Eph 6:4). I mentioned last night of how the phrase “Do as I say and not as I do” is the biggest bunch of bull and should NEVER be part of any parent’s vocabulary. With that being said, here is a quick rundown of the topics and verses we covered. I pray it helps to shed some “Light” on your own life if need be in certain areas too (Eph 5:11-14).

Types of Purity

Sexual (1Thess 4:3-7, 2Tim 2:22, 1Cor 6:18-20)

Mental (Phil 4:8, Rom 12:2)

Verbal, visual, audible (Eph 4:29, James 3:1-12, Psalms 101:3, Job 31:1, Matt 6:22-23)

*Note: I didn’t find a verse for “audible” purity, but that goes by saying that we should be attentive to what we allow to enter our ears as well (i.e. Defiled language, blasphemies, secular music, etc…)

Ethical/Moral (Job 1:8-12, 2:3, 2:4-9, 2Chron 16:9)

To ponder and discuss:

Recognizing where we fall short

Arming ourselves for battle and protection

Claiming victory as followers of Christ

Question: As Christian fathers, why is it so imperative that we abide by God’s commands in regards to purity? What will this mean for our kids?

The abbreviated answer is God has placed a very amazing gift and admonishment upon us to father and steward His sons and daughters. By us remaining faithful and teaching them the same, we are giving our children a first-hand look at what a man of God is like; which in turn will help us to raise godly sons and help our daughters look for the same in a future relationship.

Although I could go on and on about this topic, the fact remains that we are constant works in progress (Phil 1:6) and God has given us everything we need to champion purity in our own lives. If you do in fact fall short, hold fast to His promises, knock the dust off, and get back in the game. Here is one of those promises from our good friend Paul that sums up the grace and love that is bestowed upon each one of us every single day:

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according  to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (emphasis added)…Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. –Rom 8:1, 37-39 (NKJV)