Scripture: Psalm 119:9-11 “How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.”
Devotional: As we continue this week in our Love and Marriage devotions, our focus turns to something that’s rarely water cooler conversation: purity. But the lack of it may very well be one of the greatest destroyers of marriage.
Naturally, the subject of sexual purity comes first to mind – but there are plenty of other ways impurity affects us and our relationships. And as we learn in today’s passage, living according to God’s Word, is the surest way to keep our lives from the things that would draw us away from God.
What are those things?
You are bombarded every day with things that your enemy would love to corrupt your heart and mind with. Consider these:
- What you watch/listen to
- What you read
- What you eat
- Who you hang out with
- What activities you engage in
- Your job
You can easily become desensitized to the corruption around you, and before you know it, you are saying and doing things contrary to God’s will for you. And they can slowly chip away at your character and your relationships. Bit by bit.
When you make an intentional decision to keep your heart, mind, thoughts, and actions pure, you are actively defending yourself against that enemy who steals, kills, and destroys. And the offensive weapon that works most effectively? The Sword of God’s Spirit – His Word (Ephesians 6:17).
Reflect:
- Give some thought to those things that most draw you away from God and a pure life. Name them and ask God to help you replace them with a desire to live according to His Word.