Keeping Pure
Written by Mrs. Bonnie D.

We find the word “pure” or some form of it 22 times from Exodus to Revelation. Some synonyms would be genuine, clean, uncorrupted, and undefiled. Purity is one of the essentials that God values most in a woman. It touches our relationship with the Lord, our family, and our friends, since we don’t want to be a stumbling block to them. In the New Testament churches, no other problem is dealt with more consistently than immorality. Why is purity vital? Titus 2:5 instructs us “to be sensible, pure...so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” That means so that God’s reputation is not tarnished. Purity is a human, moral character trait. The word purity means “without moral defect or blemish; holy.”

Following are two positive and two negative examples from Scripture. Mary, the mother of Jesus, had a heart and mind filled with the Word of God. Luke 1:28 tells us that Mary “found favor with God.” She is a brilliantly shining example of keeping herself pure; all creation knows she was a virgin. Mary’s purity and virginity were crucial to Jesus’ being virgin-born, authenticating His deity and sinlessness. Ruth was a heathen woman who learned about the true God from her husband’s family. As a widow when she had a kinsman-redeemer enter her life. Ruth 3:7-14 reveals her godliness and purity as she lay at Boaz’s feet through the night indicating her desire to marry him. Her excellent character was exclaimed in verse 11 when Boaz declared, “All the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.”

At the opposite end of the spectrum, we see Dinah, who was the daughter of Jacob and Leah. She foolishly left the safety of her home for social interaction to see “the daughters of the land.” A Canaanite man took her, lay with her, and violated her. When she fell as a victim to the desires and lusts of someone else, Dinah was shamed and forgotten. Why? Her curiosity and failure to use good judgment contributed to her defilement (Genesis 34). Potiphar’s wife was an immoral woman with a lack of decency and virtue. She failed to hold her thoughts and passions in check; therefore, she hurt someone else, who was moral and pure: Joseph (Genesis 39).

We are not born pure. Psalm 51:5 states, “and in sin my mother conceived me.” None of us has lived a perfect life. Titus 2:12-13 indicate that God’s grace does not automatically keep us from worldly passion. If you are suffering due to temptation or weakness in the area of purity, Christ is the answer. First, ask His forgiveness. I John 1:9 says, “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” Isaiah 1:18, “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” Next, put it behind you as God does. Last, determine from this point on to make right choices with God’s help.

Let’s look at some of the aspects of purity. First, a call to purity is truly a matter of the heart; it is related to character. We need to daily practice self-control to remain pure. Your heart’s job is to pump in tune with the heart of God. Each young woman should examine her motives and goals. Is your intent to show the beauty and grace of womanhood? With a humble heart do you want to worship God or do you want to call attention to yourself?

Second, to be pure in mind (thoughts) we should avoid the sordid, evil, shabby things of the world around us. It is impossible to miss all of the corruption, but you can be careful what you put before your eyes—things such as videos, magazines, TV, etc. Instead, fill your mind with reading, studying, memorizing, meditating on, cherishing, and living by the Word of God. Colossians 3:2 tells us, “Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on the earth” and means concentrate your concern on the eternal rather than the temporal.

Third, thoughts lead to words. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”  (Matt.12:34). Ephesians 4:29 explains, “Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth,” and that could mean vulgar, crass, crude, loose morally, sarcasm, even slang talk. If we are new creatures in Christ, then our speech should be a clear evidence of that. “Let the words of My mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). We as a family quoted this verse often.

Last, we need to be pure in our actions. As our society becomes more and more corrupt and immoral, we should seek to glorify God in everything we do (I Cor.10:31). Part of what we do as ladies is dress ourselves; so with that in mind, let’s think about two basic premises before we go any further. (1) Men are stimulated visually. Therefore, what we think of as cute, stylish, or even pretty may make it very difficult for a man to control his flesh. If he lusts in his heart, it may partially be our fault, and God calls that adultery (Matt. 5:28). (2) In the fashion industry styles and standards change, but God’s Word never changes. The worst trouble is caused by an improper fit of clothing. Therefore, one of the most important decisions we women make every day is what to wear.

I Timothy 2:9-10, “I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly...as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.” In the first verse, Paul is stressing that the women in the congregation should have an appearance that is simple, moderate and free from ostentation. However, the things he mentions like the ‘braided hair, gold, pearls and expensive clothing’ are not wrong in themselves but are inappropriate when they indicate misplaced values. Christians have to be careful about letting a pagan culture set their fashions.

“Modesty” takes putting others first and dying to self (and to the flesh). The only time this actual word is used in the N.T. is in I Timothy 2:9, and it means “well arranged.” It strictly refers to the order and appropriateness of women’s dress. We know from the account of Genesis chapters 2 and 3 that the original reason for wearing clothes was for sexual modesty, which is morally necessary because men are strongly attracted by women’s physical appearance. The world’s purpose for clothes on women has always been to make them seductive and more sexually attractive, which causes “the lust of the eye.” Another key word is “feminine;” Deut. 22:5 begins, "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man.” And that takes us full swing back to the topic of purity being a matter of the heart!

As you wait and prepare yourself for marriage, you should emphasize your Christian character rather than your body. Our heavenly Father is pleased when we apply biblical standards of modesty, femininity and appropriateness in our lives now, and our future mate will be grateful as well. As difficult as it may be to avoid temptations previous to the marriage vows, the greatest wedding gift we can give to our husband is a clean, pure body set apart for the Master’s use and then kept strictly for pleasure in marriage.

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This page was last modified on Thursday, September 02, 2010