Popular culture wants you to think purity is outdated and irrelevant—an oppressive relic spilled over from the Elizabethan Era.
“Forget purity. Follow your heart, be true to yourself, do what makes you feel like you.”
The typical Christian response, however, would seem to support this tainted view of purity. Wearing white on your wedding day and saving yourself for your honeymoon is upheld as the ultimate gold medal for young Christians, while those who failed are quietly ushered into a murky area labeled Christians Who Are An Embarrassment to the Faith.
And what about those who remain chaste but indulge in hardcore porn? Are they any better off?
Yes, purity is important. But if you still view it as a ball and chain you’re burdened to carry in the name of faith, you’ve probably never been told the right reason for purity.
Hi, I’m Lauren Thell, author of Christian YA fiction and blogger for teens who are ready to exceed the world’s expectations.
In This Article
Purity: Not Just About Sexuality
What is purity? The Cambridge Dictionary’s official definition is probably the keenest defintion yet:
PURITY= the state of not being mixed with anything else; being clean or free from harmful substances.
Free from harmful substances. What harmful substances make a person impure? Taking Galatians 5:19-21 and Colossians 3:5 into consideration, one can deduce the following impurities common to man:
- In regards to your body: junk food, illicit drugs, toxic levels of any substance…
- In regards to your mind: lust, greed, vanity, hate…
- In regards to your speech: profanity, gossip, slander, maliciousness…
- In regards to your conduct: drunkenness, sexual immorality, fits of anger, selfish ambition….
Clearly, purity is not just about sexuality (though sexuality is generally the first thing that comes to mind whenever purity is mentioned). Furthermore, God clearly calls his people to purity.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure … think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart.
Psalm 24:3-4
Keep yourself pure.
1 Timothy 5:22
So why is purity important? If you tell me it’s because God said so…you’re not wrong. But I’d like to challenge you to dig into the reason God says it’s important. Because that’s the right reason for purity.
The Importance of Purity: Why Every Christian Should Want It
It’s certainly special for a man and woman to share intimacy for the first time on their wedding night. I won’t downplay that. But a holy sexual experience is not the main goal of purity.
Purity is not a set of rules, but a life fully devoted to Jesus.
Purity is the pursuit of Jesus. It’s not a set of rules, but a life fully devoted to Jesus. The pure heart is one so taken with the glory of God that it will resist any enemy that tries to come between it and God. Purity is not a list of do’s and don’ts, but a response to deep, deep love of Jesus.
Stop and consider that the next time you hear swear words scrambling off the tip of your tongue, or you find yourself in a moment of fiery hot temptation with your boyfriend. Think about the Jesus hanging on the cross in your place when anger is festering in your heart or you’re tempted to cheat on an English essay. Remember how much God loves you and wants to bless you when you’re standing outside the theater alone because your friends chose a movie you know you shouldn’t watch.
God loves you more than you love yourself, and that’s the right reason for purity.
Achievable Purity
When you stop looking at purity as a burden, suddenly it becomes more attainable. Purity is something you do out of love for God because you recognize he loved you first. I didn’t understand this during my single years. I thought my choice to remain sexually pure was a gift for my future husband, and indeed it was. But the real gift was sharing with my husband a heart just as devoted to Christ as his.
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:15-16
The Right Reason For Purity = Holiness
You are holy—set apart for God and designated for something greater than you have planned for yourself. Choosing purity over sinful indulgence affirms and secures your relationship with him. Love him, because he loved you first.
That’s the right reason to pursue purity. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past. You can start right now, this very second. Turn your desires over to him and let him fill you up.
May God bless your pursuit of purity and holiness!
More Resources on Living a Life Fully Devoted to Jesus
You don’t have to have all the answers.
but, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
Learn about Desiring God As the Ultimate Source of Pleasure to give your pursuit of purity another boost. See also Stand Up to Temptation With the Word of God.
For more discussion specifically regarding sexual purity:
- Why Purity is Important: The Hard Case for Abstinence
- Is It Actually Wrong to Live Together Before Marriage?
Worried you’ve already messed up too much to ever be pure again? See my post Lost Virginity: Is It Too Late For Me? (Not just for those struggling with shame from sexual sins.)
And finally, affirm the true importance of purity in 10 Things Purity Was Never Meant to Be (article by Bethany Beal from GirlDefined)
God first! He knows what is best for us and tells us in his Word. Very well written, Lauren! God’s blessings
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Thank you, Marcia! I appreciate all your comments and encouragement.
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