Guiding Principles for Pursuing Purity
Want to pursue God’s best for your life? Wondering if a given activity is right or wrong? Consider the following biblical principles to help guide your choices. If you can’t engage in a given activity without violating scriptural principles, then avoid it.
Biblical Principle |
Reflection Question |
• Do not lust in your heart (Matthew 5:28) |
• Does this activity cause my mind to dwell on lustful thoughts/fantasize? |
• Do not lose self-control (Galatians 5:22,23; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5) |
• Does this activity promote the fruit of self-discipline? |
• Do not become mastered by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19) |
• Does this activity have the potential to become addictive? |
• Do only what builds up relationships (1 Thessalonians 5:11) |
• Does this have the potential to help or hurt my future marriage relationship? |
• Do not dishonor God with your thoughts (Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:1,2) |
• Does this thought bring glory to God or transform me/renew my mind? |
• Live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:16) |
• What are the fruits/effects of this activity on my life? Does it reflect a Spirit-controlled life? |
• Treat young women as sisters, with absolute purity (1 Timothy 5:2) |
• Am I showing the respect I would want someone to show my own sister? |
| • Do not be lover of self … or pleasure rather than a lover of God (2 Timothy 3:1–9) | • Is this a self-centered activity that creates even more self-centeredness? |
Cheryl Taylor, D.Min., Springfield, Missouri
