Within the script of Paul’s letter to Titus, whom he called “mine own son after the common faith” there is a notable nugget of understanding. Paul wrote: Titus 1:15 “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”
The training of the brain has a long and storied history. Psychologists and researchers have presented a plethora of information concerning the “structuring and restructuring of the human brain.” There are many expansive thoughts with large words and complex definitions if you so desire. However, there are a few constants which are easy to comprehend. Here’s one, “You are what you eat” or “Garbage in, garbage out.” The concept is basic, in that our minds are fed with thoughts and from that “feeding” comes the evolution of our lives.
To be pure demands pure input. Purity of spirit, by necessity, depends on what we entertain. If movies or shows present cussing and sexual permissiveness, then the outcome will be a defiled spirit. Pornography of all kinds stains the brain. Conversations that demean other people sour any real love or mercy. The result is a corrupted conscience. Purity has no chance when we purposely feed our mind with images and sounds contrary to a holy life. Words can then be taken the wrong way. Jokes are twisted into something perverse. Clothing becomes an advertisement of intent instead of a covering.
To stay pure takes work, especially in an hour when every image is readily accessible by the phone in our hands. There is labor involved to protect our minds from damaging thoughts.
Are we pure? Do we have a pure spirit? Is our life filled with honest conversation? How can we raise our hands and worship the Lord when our days are filled with angst, bitterness, and the unsavory things of this world? Or how can we proclaim Jesus when we wound the body of Jesus Christ?
Micah gave us the requirement. I’ll offer it here in hopes that everyone will heed the Word of God. Micah 6:8 “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole