Psalm 119:9(KVJ)
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Psalm 119:9(NIV)
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
Purity is a very broad subject. When we instruct young people on purity, we most often use it in terms of sexual purity, and it certainly includes that. It is also far more far reaching than just that aspect.
Here is an excerpt from biblestudytools.com on how purity might be defined Biblically.
The New Testament. In the New Testament, there is little emphasis on ritual purity. Rather, the focus is on moral purity or purification: chastity ( 2 Cor 11:2 ; Titus 2:5 ); innocence in one’s attitude toward members of the church ( 2 Cor 7:11 ); and moral purity or uprightness ( Php 4:8 ; 1 Tim 5:22 ; 1 Peter 3:2 ; 1 John 1:3 ). Purity is associated with understanding, patience and kindness ( 2 Cor 6:6 ); speech, life, love, and faith ( 1 Tim 4:12 ); and reverence ( 1 Peter 3:2 ).
Why the focus on young people? Don’t us old folks fail in these areas too? Well, of course we do! So, this lesson, while directed towards a young person in the developmental stages of life, also applies to all of us all of the time. It is just easier and longer lasting for some lessons to be taught and learned while a person is still teachable and able to learn. In other words, before we become heart hardened and stiff necked.
Now let’s get back to our question: How does a person stay on the path of purity? As God’s Word so often does, this question answers itself. We stay on the path of purity by living by and heeding God’s Word. That’s easy, right? How do we know this is enough? God Himself tells us of the sufficiency of His word in our daily lives.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2 Timothy 3:16,17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Here is the hard part, the bad news so to speak. God’s Word will not just leap from our unused Bible into our hearts and minds. This makes me think of the computer term, Garbage in-garbage out(GIGO). Specifically that the quality of the output is measured by the quality of the input. Note the word “input.” There will always be output, the only question what input is measuring the quality of it?
So, how do we do this?
Read it. Sounds obvious, I know; nonetheless many of us don’t do this simple thing. Perhaps we glance at it during preaching or Sunday School, but some of us never read it. Read, read, and read some more. Read it even if you don’t understand it. Later we will talk about understanding. The point is to put the Word in our minds. Something will be there, and God’s Word is the best choice.
Pray about it. Ask for understanding, and God won’t hold it against you!
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Meditate on it. I don’t mean some mantra chanting Eastern meditation here; this simply means think about it. Ponder the things you have read, at length and deeply.
Read about it. Of course, The Bible is it’s own best reference tool and commentary, and one should be careful when reading what outside sources say about it. But, even if a person never reads a commentary, the extra Biblical resources which can help are amazing. Histories, dictionaries, archaeological studies, and language and word studies are all great tools for coming to understand what God is telling us through His word.
God will help us and enable us to live lives that are pure before Him. God likely will not just deliver purity to us in a sack for us to unwrap. We have to actually take what God gives us, and apply it to our hearts and to our lives.
December 15, 2015 at 07:12
I wondered why “men” is italicized in James 1:5 so I looked it up in the Greek and discovered that the word “men” is not in the Greek. The Greek simply states that God gives “simply, openly, frankly, sincerely” to all. The NIV’s translation is closer to the original: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Just FYI
Good list. Hanging with like-minded friends helps, too.
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December 15, 2015 at 07:35
That’s a really good point about liked minded friends thanks!
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December 15, 2015 at 09:18
Great article brother Wally!! I might add just one point to your “how to do list” and that would be when you meditate, take more than just one verse, think about the main thought in a paragraph (they’re identified in most Bibles) which protects you from taking something out of context and getting caught up in “religious fad” and meditate on the “thought or spirit” behind the words and not JUST the words themselves!
This is an important lesson Brother Wally and I wish someone would have spelled it out like this when I was a young man. We know the importance of teaching and reading, but the meditation and contemplation is an important part of that journey! God bless you Brother — gotta reblog this!
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December 15, 2015 at 09:35
Excellent advice Brother Roland and thanks for the sharing bless you for it
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December 15, 2015 at 09:20
Reblogged this on FOR THE LOVE OF GOD and commented:
This is a great article for young people AND those still wrestling with the “HOW TOO!” of maintaining a pure heart and spirit. Also, Brother Wally Fry is a prolific writer and he loves the Lord tremendously. You will find AWESOME articles for inspiration, encouragement and insight at his site, Truth in Palmyra!!
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December 15, 2015 at 11:32
Again thank you for sharing Brother Roland
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December 15, 2015 at 09:59
If you want to stay clean and smell pretty, you have to use some soap!;-)
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December 15, 2015 at 11:31
Indeed we do and I still love that thought!
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December 15, 2015 at 14:35
Good question and good answer. I use this passage often with counseling young men. Thanks for this study.
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December 15, 2015 at 14:45
Bless your efforts with young men Brother Jim. Things are hard for them and th struggle is real. They are our future. Women too of course but the men are critical. As the men go…so goes the family. I will pray for your work there
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December 15, 2015 at 14:59
Thank you Wally. It is a heavy burden for me to see my generation and those younger. I feel there is less responsibility, more easily entertained, apathetic and an uphill battle with the onslaught of video games, senseless Youtube and pornography.
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December 15, 2015 at 17:33
It just be a real challenge. I know just getting my stepson to fly right has been a challenge. And he has been called by God to preach! But, he remains a young man nonetheless, and those things tempt them all.
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December 15, 2015 at 14:35
I’m going to share this on twitter
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December 15, 2015 at 14:46
Thank you
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December 15, 2015 at 15:16
Great lesson on purity! I’m so thankful for God’s Word. 🙂
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December 15, 2015 at 17:34
Me too Jennifer! I can only imagine the mess I would make of things without it. Thanks for reading and commenting, and blessings to you!
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