Living a Pure LifeSample

Set the standard. 

Living a pure life doesn’t just happen overnight. It’ll take a lot of decisions, a lot of prayer, and some time to get the right filters, standards, and boundaries in place. 

The truth is, most of the time, we don’t know what will happen next in our lives. That’s why it’s so important to be prepared for the unknown. That’s where standards come in. If you don’t decide how you’ll react when you’re angry, the next time your younger sibling comes and annoys you, you’ll blow up and say and do things you regret. 

Standards don’t always keep you from doing the wrong thing, but they do help keep you on the right path so that you’re not as tempted to sin. So, set the standard. Decide today what boundaries will keep you out of trouble tomorrow. 

One area where we need to focus on doing this is online. Are you the same person online as you are offline? Do you blow up every time you lose a video game? Are the friends you play with online steering you in a good direction offline? Check out today’s video about that, and think about what kind of standards you might need to set for yourself both online and offline. 

Powerful stuff, right? So, how do you pick the right kind of standards? Well, God will give you wisdom and direction when you pray and ask Him to show you. Your parents and trusted leaders can guide you in the right direction and give you healthy boundaries so you can practice. But there’s another weapon you can use to make sure your standards are setting you up for success—God’s Word. 

In Psalm 119:9, it says that a young person can stay pure by living according to God’s Word. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God’s Word is living and active and helps correct us when we’re wrong. And God’s Word is a weapon you can use against any influence around you—including spiritual battles you can’t even see. 

In Ephesians 6, it talks about how there is a spiritual battle going on. Those influences you face? The temptations that come at you? It’s a real battle to fight them, and you’ll need to put on the armor of God and hide the Word of God in your heart so that you can defend yourself. 

So, load up on God’s Word. When you know what God says, it’ll help you do what God says to do. And when you do what God says to do, you’ll be on the right path to purity. 

Living a pure life is possible, but it will take some work. But putting in the work is well worth it, because you’ll be living the kind of life Jesus designed for you to have. So, set your standard. Read God’s Word. And do what it says. When you do that, you’ll be well on your way to living a better, purer life. 

Pray: God, thank You for giving us Your Word to help guide our decisions. Help us form the right filters and set the right standards and boundaries so that we can live a pure life that honors You. Give us wisdom to know who to listen to, and give us what we need to follow You and live purely. Thank You for sending Jesus to fix our impurity and make it possible for us to have a relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.