This world is not our friend. It does everything to open innocent eyes and awaken inappropriate desires. This sex-saturated society dismisses traditional values as outdated and boring. It portrays God’s morals as restrictive and close-minded, pitting God against racy movies and titillating novels.
Yet, God’s voice—not the voice of culture—needs to be the main influence in my life. How do I remain pure? How do I protect my eyes from things I cannot unsee? How do I protect my ears from things I cannot unhear? How, when sex is everywhere? Television. Music. Magazines. Online. The enemy steadily increases exposure to unholy things effectively decreasing our sensitivity creating a tolerance for things that should shock our souls.
And my whole being just aches for this generation. It is hungry for deep and wild love and is looking everywhere but where God promised it could be found. In Him.
Anything enjoyed outside of God’s established boundaries will never fully satisfy.
How do I stay pure? In Psalm 119:9-16 the Psalmist shows that the way to remain pure requires action on my part. Purity doesn’t just happen. It is pursued, fought for, and treasured.
Psalm 119:9-16 (ESV)
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
- I seek God with my whole heart and ask for his help to remain faithful.
- I store his word in my heart, memorizing it, and pondering it. The heart cannot love what the mind does not know.
- I choose to obey and not sin. It is always a choice.
- I declare God’s truth.
- I delight in God more than I delight in any other thing.
- I meditate on his teaching.
- I fix my eyes on His way.
- I delight in his rules understanding his boundaries are for my protection.
- I remember his Word.
If you are seeking God with your whole heart, treasuring and delighting in Him, declaring His way and pondering His commands, He will by His grace and power guide you and teach you.