pure

We believe God’s Word offers TRUTH. It is difficult to embrace truth when we are bombarded with lies in our minds. The lies are often so persistent that we get weary and stop fighting against them or begin to believe them.

In stressful situations, it’s tempting to listen to the lies even more and unlikely that we will remember what God says about us….which means we can’t wait until the stress starts! Instead, we need to “practice truth” on a regular basis, so that when stress comes, we will be ready. This can be done through a “Truth Statement”- 3-4 lines that are formed based on an understanding of a word in God’s Word which refutes lies and reflects God’s truth. Repeat the Truth Statement as often as possible so it will be cemented before stress hits!

Today’s Word

PURE: The Greek word “ hagnos”.

“Finally brothers, whatever is true whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is PURE, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Philippians 4:8

KEEP IT REAL- WHAT DOES THE WORD SAY?  

Other Scriptures where the word “PURE” is used include:

2 Corinthians 11:2-3 (NIV)
I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Titus 2:5 (NIV)
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign (attack the reputation of) the word of God.

1 John 3: 1-3 (NIV)
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.

KEEP IT SIMPLE- WHAT DOES THE WORD MEAN?

From these Scriptures, we find the word PURE (“Hagnos”) means:

1. Innocent
   Something that is undefiled

2. Morally solid
   A steadfast commitment to God’s standards

3. Clean
   Something that has not been contaminated

KEEP IT MOVING- WHAT DO I DO WITH THE WORD?  

Here is a truth statement to repeat and practice over the next 3 weeks based on the word “PURE”. Post it, write it down- whatever helps you to remember it:

When I put my faith in God, He gives me a new mind that helps me accept truth and reject lies.

When Iife distracts me from the truth, I remember that God’s ways are best for me.

God loved me at my worst, gave me a new beginning, and shows me how to be more like Him.