Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
The Greek word Paul uses for pure in this passage means clean, innocent, modest, perfect and chaste. This word comes from the same word that is often translated “holy” in the New Testament. It carries with it the sense of moral purity. It seems that Paul is largely referring to sexual purity, but every area of our lives is affected by the purity or impurity of our thoughts.
The war for our minds is an ongoing struggle fought one battle at time. If we are not fighting we have no hope of winning. John Owen wrote, “Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.” Our thoughts are one place where heavy artillery is needed. Though no one can tell us what to think, we are constantly being told what to think about. Television, music, books and the internet all influence our thoughts. If we ingest media that is sensual in nature, our thoughts will consist of sensuality. The same is true for other immoral behaviors such as violence, greed and rebellion.
Pure and impure thinking largely begins with what comes before our eyes or goes into our ears because that information stimulates our minds. If we entertain impure thoughts we become dirty and if those thoughts are left unchecked can lead us to moral impurity. Before every act of adultery, fornication or any moral impurity comes a season of thinking about it or meditating on it. Rarely if ever do those sins happen spontaneously. In exhorting us to think on what is pure, Paul implies that pure thinking will translate into pure living. The opposite is true as well. Impure thinking will translate into impure behavior. Jesus said, For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. (Matthew 15:19 ESV)
So, the question is: How can a young man keep his way pure? The answer: By guarding it according to your word. (Psalm 119:9 ESV). By living according to the principles of God’s word we can think pure thoughts and live pure lives. We must guard (screen) with God’s word the movies we watch, the books we read, the music we listen to and the web sites we browse. Hiding God’s word in our hearts is a weapon we can wield in our fight against sin (Psalm 119:11). By meditating and memorizing God’s word we can battle impure thoughts and all works of the flesh. God’s word will assist us in putting off the old man, being renewed in the spirit of our minds and putting on the new man (Ephesians 4:19-24).
Paul wrote that the wrath of God is coming on those who practice, among others, sexual immorality, impurity and passion (Colossians 3:5-6). To the Ephesian church he wrote that, everyone who is sexually immoral or impure . . . has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (Ephesians 5:3-5 ESV) There is no place of peace for those who choose to live impure lives (Galatians 5:19-21). However, the fight to be pure in heart brings with it eternal rewards. God is good to those who are pure in heart (Psalm 73:1). And those who have clean hands and a pure heart will stand in his holy place (Psalm 24:3-4).
Paul labored to present the church a pure virgin to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:1). We too must strive to be pure as Christ is pure if we hope to be like him when we see him at his return (1 John 3:2-3).
With what do you stimulate your mind? Are you striving to be pure as Jesus is pure?
Scriptures for meditation:
Proverbs 20:11