Purity Battle Plan

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word."

-Psalm 119:9

I've been thinking a lot recently about how it's possible for us as men to stay completely pure in our actions AND thoughts... We can all say that we know it's POSSIBLE, but I know that for me, I need a reminder so very often that it's more than just POSSIBLE.

Why?

Because we are "More than conquerors" in Christ Jesus.

It's funny because the more that I set my eyes or mind on how big the problem of impurity is in the world, the more discouraged I become with the hope that we will be able to stand against it in strength. Not just holding our ground, but taking ground BACK for the standards we have stooped down to, and once again setting the purity-standard higher for ourselves.

BUT.

The more that I stop looking at how "big" the problem is, and instead look to what scripture says about how to WIN... I start getting really excited.

Why do I get excited? Because God is so much smarter than Satan, and a much better war general.

It's really time to start forming a battle plan against this thing, instead of running around like a chicken with its head cut off.

Really.

So what's the first step?

It's summed up with these two verses:

Romans 8:5-6

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."

Galatians 5:16-17

"I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."

It's simply to focus on the Spirit. On Jesus.

As we choose to look to Jesus despite when we fall down, we will find ourselves slowly drawn further and further away from all things that aren't in Jesus.

Let me use one more Bible passage to illustrate what I mean...

This story is about king Jehoshaphat in 2Chronicles 20.

Basically what happens is that the king gets informed that this HUGE army is coming up against him that he really has no chance of winning against. He found out and called his city to fast and then went to God with a prayer, which he finished with this phrase:

^"O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." -2Chronicles 20:12

And what does God do? He responds in this way just a little bit further on in the passage:

"Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s... You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem." -2Chronicles 20:15-17

God says "Fix your eyes on ME, not your problem, and I will fight for you."

That's our first step- get our eyes off of the problem and onto God, and He will be the one who works for our salvation.

He told me once "Jeshua... how much more could you be getting to know me-how much deeper could we be going if you didn't spend so much time focusing cleaning yourself from all your sin and problems? That's my job."

There is so much freedom in that... thank you, Jesus.

Guys... (And Girls).

Our step into purity is to focus on God. Even when we fall.

It's simple, and almost frustratingly so.

We just keep re-directing our gaze on him, and HE will be the one to pull us away from all the junk that tries to close in on us.

That's why it is more than just POSSIBLE to win. That's why it's probable.

Because it doesn't depend on our strength.

He fights Satan, our part in the fight is to choose Him to fight for us.

There is MORE than just a hope, we have a living hope that will never fail because those who hope in the LORD will NEVER be put to shame.