Bible Reading: Titus 1:10-16; Philippians 4:8
One of the evidences of purity of heart is the way that we look at things and perceive them. Writing to Titus, Paul said, “Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure.” He is writing this after making one of the most remarkable statements in God’s Word. Paul has just commanded Titus to sternly rebuke the Cretan believers who often tell lies, and have a tendency to be cruel and lazy. Even more than this there are people who rebel against the truth and with useless talk deceive others. People have been turned away from the gospel by their false teaching, and as is so often the case, the desire for money is at the root of much of this evil. Paul is emphasizing that to people who are corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure! They have even lost the ability to discern what is pure. Their conscience has been defiled.
Paul is saying that some people see good all around them, while others see nothing but evil. Our souls become filters through which we see good and evil. People whose hearts are pure, because Jesus controls their lives, learn to see goodness and purity even in this evil world. To these people God gives the ability to discern what is right and wrong
Whatever you choose to fill your mind with will affect the way you think and act. As we meditate upon God and His Word, we will discover more and more goodness, even in this world that is so filled with violence and sin. Someone has said, “A mind filled with good has little room for what is evil.”
Writing to the Philippians, Paul says that they should focus their minds on things that are pure. We are to literally fill our minds with things that are lovely, pure, praiseworthy, true, admirable and honorable.
A Question:
In this media age there is much that can become the wrong focus for our minds and our eyes. Is there an area of your mind that needs to set free from impurity? If this is the case, bring this issue to the Lord for cleansing. If it is something that is hard to break free from, then seek a Christian you trust and share your struggle with them so that you can pray together.
A Prayer:
Lord, renew my mind so that I focus on things that are pure and pleasing to you and so that I will know what you want and find how pleasing and perfect your will really is. In Jesus Name. Amen.
These devotionals have been shared here with the permission of Esther Ross-Watson, in loving memory of our Pastor, mentor and friend, Michael Ross-Watson (1946-2017).
