Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of [and for] the Believers in word, conversation, faith and purity.
-1 Timothy 4:12
Purity doesn't always refer to abstaining from sex, drugs and alcohol. Purity is your state of heart most close to God. It also is when you're at the peak of your witness. This means that because you are pure (something very opposite of the world) it makes you peculiar and intruguing. When you show a good example and say you are a believing Christian, people are going to remember you were nicer, purer and different from everyone else.
Keeping it Clean: How?
Keeping your heart clean is a full time job in our generation's situation.
With video games, TV, magazines, friends, computers, electronics and life itself... There's a lot of trouble we can get ourselves into!
Keeping your heart clean can be made in small choices you make every day. As a few examples try to ask yourself a very important question:
"Would I play this game, read this book, watch this program, say what I'm saying, or listen to what I'm listening to if Jesus were right next to me?".
The popular saying "What Would Jesus Do?" I find hard to follow sometimes. Mostly because I know Jesus is far too perfect for me to imitate entirely... So I ask myself that simple question "If Jesus were here, would I do it?". My goal of course is still to be as perfect as Jesus, but if I need to take small steps, I'm going to. Act as if Jesus Himself were there with you... because He is!
I'm dissappointed to say that many things I want to do, read and watch don't line up to those standards. This is the perfect time to make the choice not to do them, and another important step toward keeping a pure heart.
Redemption From Guilt: Hope Found
Sometimes our past mistakes keep popping into our heads. Even if you try to think of something else, distract yourself, or hop on one leg with your head tilted like youre getting water out of your ear... Those thoughts just won't get out! They keep reminding you of what you've done!
Well, ask yourself two questions:
1.Have I asked God to forgive me for bad choices?
2.Do I believe God doesn't lie?
As long as both of those are 'yes', then you can let it go! This is only the devil trying to get you distracted. If you need help letting go, shoot me an e-mail! (kiana@thechristianteen.net)
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
-Isaiah 43:18
If you haven't asked for forgiveness, then that's the Holy Spirit telling you to repent because He wants to be ok with you.
If you have trouble with believing God, here:
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
(Num. 23:19)
Now, If you feel like your heart isn't pure even after you've asked God for forgiveness, relax. You can't make yourself pure even if you tried. That's what Jesus is for, isn't it? He guides you inside, from that "little voice" that tells you what's right and wrong. It's very easy to get back on track with God's plan; just listen to Him next time He quietly directs you. When you hear not to do, say, watch, or listen to something... Obey.
I know it can seem tough, especially if He's telling you not to hang out with a friend because they say things you know aren't right, or read that book when all your friends are reading it... But don't worry! There are lots of us out here who have to make the same tough choices every day with you! And I'm always here if you need help, advice, encouragement, or anything else. ; )
The basics of purity are:
-Repentance (asking for forgiveness)
-Hearing God's small voice
-Making good choices
-Trusting God
A great thing to do is plead the Blood of Jesus over yourself. The devil can't touch Jesus' Blood and if you are saved, you are entitled to that Blood. He shed it for you and it will protect you, your heart, your ears, your purity.
Remember it's not all on you and always do "self-checks" to see how you're doing letting Jesus take over. If at first you don't succeed, trust God. ♥
-Kiana : )
Saying of the post:
I am genuinely pure, uncorrupted by the world.
Scripture:
27 Pure and genuine religion (I call it relationship) in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
-James 1:27
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved
-1 Timothy 4:12
Purity doesn't always refer to abstaining from sex, drugs and alcohol. Purity is your state of heart most close to God. It also is when you're at the peak of your witness. This means that because you are pure (something very opposite of the world) it makes you peculiar and intruguing. When you show a good example and say you are a believing Christian, people are going to remember you were nicer, purer and different from everyone else.
Keeping it Clean: How?
Keeping your heart clean is a full time job in our generation's situation.
With video games, TV, magazines, friends, computers, electronics and life itself... There's a lot of trouble we can get ourselves into!
Keeping your heart clean can be made in small choices you make every day. As a few examples try to ask yourself a very important question:
"Would I play this game, read this book, watch this program, say what I'm saying, or listen to what I'm listening to if Jesus were right next to me?".
The popular saying "What Would Jesus Do?" I find hard to follow sometimes. Mostly because I know Jesus is far too perfect for me to imitate entirely... So I ask myself that simple question "If Jesus were here, would I do it?". My goal of course is still to be as perfect as Jesus, but if I need to take small steps, I'm going to. Act as if Jesus Himself were there with you... because He is!
I'm dissappointed to say that many things I want to do, read and watch don't line up to those standards. This is the perfect time to make the choice not to do them, and another important step toward keeping a pure heart.
Redemption From Guilt: Hope Found
Sometimes our past mistakes keep popping into our heads. Even if you try to think of something else, distract yourself, or hop on one leg with your head tilted like youre getting water out of your ear... Those thoughts just won't get out! They keep reminding you of what you've done!
Well, ask yourself two questions:
1.Have I asked God to forgive me for bad choices?
2.Do I believe God doesn't lie?
As long as both of those are 'yes', then you can let it go! This is only the devil trying to get you distracted. If you need help letting go, shoot me an e-mail! (kiana@thechristianteen.net)
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
-Isaiah 43:18
If you haven't asked for forgiveness, then that's the Holy Spirit telling you to repent because He wants to be ok with you.
If you have trouble with believing God, here:
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
(Num. 23:19)
Now, If you feel like your heart isn't pure even after you've asked God for forgiveness, relax. You can't make yourself pure even if you tried. That's what Jesus is for, isn't it? He guides you inside, from that "little voice" that tells you what's right and wrong. It's very easy to get back on track with God's plan; just listen to Him next time He quietly directs you. When you hear not to do, say, watch, or listen to something... Obey.
I know it can seem tough, especially if He's telling you not to hang out with a friend because they say things you know aren't right, or read that book when all your friends are reading it... But don't worry! There are lots of us out here who have to make the same tough choices every day with you! And I'm always here if you need help, advice, encouragement, or anything else. ; )
The basics of purity are:
-Repentance (asking for forgiveness)
-Hearing God's small voice
-Making good choices
-Trusting God
A great thing to do is plead the Blood of Jesus over yourself. The devil can't touch Jesus' Blood and if you are saved, you are entitled to that Blood. He shed it for you and it will protect you, your heart, your ears, your purity.
Remember it's not all on you and always do "self-checks" to see how you're doing letting Jesus take over. If at first you don't succeed, trust God. ♥
-Kiana : )
Saying of the post:
I am genuinely pure, uncorrupted by the world.
Scripture:
27 Pure and genuine religion (I call it relationship) in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
-James 1:27
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved
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