Keeping Pure - Martin Wiles

How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. Psalm 119:9 NLT

Keeping pure in an impure world can challenge the best of us.

Though pursued by many, the Fountain of Youth has eluded all. Legend has it Juan Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer and conquistador, discovered Florida while searching for the elusive Fountain of Youth. According to one historian, de Leon looked for the waters of Bimini to cure his aging. Ponce de Leon, in his memoirs, claimed it was an old native woman who told him of her husband and son who had gone to a mystical land called Bimini looking for the mysterious fountain that would keep one young.

The search for youth didn’t end with Ponce de Leon. It continues into the present. Tummy tucks, liposuction, arm and face reconstruction. Whatever it takes to remove the wrinkles and tighten the skin. Whatever is necessary to make the body appear as it did when we were younger. Having a younger-looking body, however, doesn’t change what’s happening on the inside—decay.

While it’s impossible to stay young, it isn’t impossible to stay pure. Purity is an attainable goal for the young, old, and everyone in between. The psalmist asks an important question and gives what appears to be a simple answer and solution for purity: obey God’s Word.

The commands in God’s Word about purity are clear. Flee temptation. God will help us overcome it. Our responsibility is to avoid people and situations we know will tempt us to sin. Don’t lie. Our speech should be wholesome and exude kind, encouraging, and loving words. Dishonesty has no place on our lips or in our actions. Be faithful in relationships—marital and otherwise. Sexual unfaithfulness before or during marriage is unacceptable. Other sins cause us to sin against others, but sexual sin is an infraction against our own bodies.

Ponce de Leon couldn’t find the Fountain of Youth because there wasn’t one. We will age and die if the Lord tarries, but we don’t have to grow impure. 

Purity is discoverable and maintainable by obeying God’s commands. They aren’t restrictive but liberating.

What are you doing to maintain purity in your life?

Prayer: Father, give us pure spirits that will lead to pure actions. 

Tweetable: Are you keeping yourself pure? 

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