Purity



What does it mean to be pure? I've quoted the NIV in the above verse but let's look at the verse in other translations:

 "to be self-controlled and pure" NIV

"to be sensible, pure" NAS

"be virtuous and pure" The Message

"To be self-controlled, chaste"

"To be discreet, chaste" KJV

"to be discreet, chaste" NKJV

"to be sober-minded, chaste" ASV

The American Heritage Dictionary defines "chaste" as:

Morally pure in thought or conduct; decent and modest.

"pure" as: Containing nothing inappropriate or extraneous

The Bible tells us that we must be self-controlled (disciplined), we must also be pure. We have to guard our hearts and minds from things that are not of God.

This goes back to the discussion discussion of having a well trained mind. It also spills into several other areas including inappropriate relationships, things that we watch and listen to that introduce things that my contaminate our mind and hearts.

The whole point of these verses in Titus were to show us that teaching younger women these things didn't come from a "I'm the teacher--you're the student type setting". This is supposed to be an older woman teaching by her example. We have to learn to be self controlled and pure so that our example will teach younger women.

Everywhere you go you are being watched by someone else. In the grocery store, you are teaching by your example. In your home you are certainly teaching by example. Believe it or not, in your church, you are teaching by example. In fact, you might be the only real example someone sees on a Sunday morning.

What are you teaching? What kind of example do you set for others?

It's a tall order. We need to pray that the Lord would refine us and help us to be the women that we need to be.

I'll close with these verses:

Psalm 51:7-10

"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."