Intent?

I suggested the topic of purity and I must admit that I’ve had a difficult time knowing what to write.

The one word that keeps running through my mind is: intent.

So, here is what I think I’m hearing from the Lord:
Scripture: Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. – 2 Timothy 2:22

Honestly, living a life of purity wasn’t even on my radar screen until my late 20s. I used to be very flirtatious, pursue getting things (mostly position vs. material possessions) that weren’t necessarily Godly, and be with friends when I needed them for something instead of when they might need me, etc.

So, I think about flirting. Why do people flirt? Sex? Thrill? To lure? Socially acceptable? Something to do? Not sure what else to do? Like the feeling? All of these reasons are the “intent” for ones actions. None of those reasons appear pure.

God’s design for us is either singlehood or one partner for life – a spouse. If you are really looking for a spouse, I’m not sure flirting is God’s design for us to pursue a relationship of this magnitude.

So, I ask you: Why do you do what you do (and this could mean in how you approach your job, volunteerism, child rearing, friendships, your marriage, etc.)?

• Volunteer: Do you volunteer to help others because they need it and you've been called to do so or do you volunteer because it makes you feel good?
• Argue: Do you argue to get your way because you want to be right or should you take another approach to respond the way Jesus would have responded – directly but lovingly?
• Prayer: Do you pray without ceasing for God to give you want you want or that you want a certain thing but will accept His answer even if it differs from your want? I think: Thine will be done vs. My will or I'll rage!
• Friends: Do you support your friends or just use them when convenient for you?
• Spouse: Why do you seek a spouse so intently? Are you trying to cover up feelings of loneliness?
• Marriage: Do you behave in your marriage in the ways outlined by God. For women, do you hold out on sex to control situations? Do you cry, grumble or scream to get what you want? Or, do you honor your husband, support him, show respect and demonstrate love?
• Parenting: Do you approach parenting from a Godly way or do you position yourself with your children with this attitude: I’m bigger and wiser and I’m going to make you do what I want vs. there are some really important things we need to work on so that you grow up to be a wise person who lives with self-control, honesty, integrity, love, peace, etc. It’s my job to guide you and correct you so that you will end up with a good heart.

What is your intent at home, work, socially, in relationships? Do you send mixed messages?

Here are some guidelines to follow as you reflect on purity (the intent of your actions):

1. Pray that impurities in your life will be revealed to you.
2. Identify the sin.
3. Embrace God’s love for you and ask Him to forgive your impure/sinful ways.
4. Take steps to stop your behavior (tell a friend about your behavior, change your environment, repair broken relationships)
5. Follow God’s ways – do the right things.
6. Be accountable (have a friend keep tabs on your actions; record your improvement)

God desires us to use our words and actions to pursue His desires for our lives and not to just do X to get Y using tactics that are less than ideal.

May you feel the love of God as you pursue correcting the impurities in your life. He WILL forgive you and the rewards will be great!

Purely Statistical!

The word ‘purity’ only appears in the Bible in 5 verses, and ‘impurity’ appears in 15 verses. The context for both is usually related to sexual sins.
When we decided to write about purity for this blog, I immediately knew the topic I wanted to discuss – pornography addiction. A quick Google search later blew the lid off my naïve way of thinking on this topic. I was amazed at the statistics I found and how large of an epidemic addiction to porn has become. I have personally known marriages that have been destroyed by this and let me tell you, nobody is immune. Satan plays on weakness and this stuff is so easy to access and highly addictive.’

Test your knowledge with these statistics:

1. Porn revenue is higher than revenue earned from:
A. NFL (National Football League)
B. MLB (Major League Baseball)
C. NBA (National Basketball Association)
D. All of the above

Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

The answer is D – porn revenue is higher than the revenue earned from the NFL, MLB and NBA combined!!

2. What percentage of Promise Keepers attendees viewed porn within a week prior to the event?

Proverbs 30:12 – There are those who are pure in their own eyes but are not cleansed of their filth.

The answer is 53%!

3. 20% of Christians say pornography is a major problem in the home – True or False?

1 Timothy 5:22 – Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

The answer is FALSE – the correct answer is higher – 47% say it is a problem in the home.

4. What percentage of all women struggle with pornography addiction?
A. 4%
B. 10%
C. 13%
D. 17%

James 4:8 – Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

The answer is D – 17%. This is not just a male epidemic, women struggle as well.

Other statistics for you…there are 4.2 million pornographic websites (12% of total websites); the daily pornographic search engine requests is 68 million (25% of total search engine requests); worldwide visitors to pornographic websites is 72 million annually; 37% of pastors admit to an ongoing struggle with pornography; 1 out of 3 visitors to adult websites are women.
**Statistics derived from a combination of reputable sources**

My husband and I have a few safeguards in place so we do not fall in to this trap. We have installed an accountability software that will email both of us when a pornographic site is accessed from any of our computers. My husband also has a male accountability partner that he checks in with and who also receives alert emails. Find your own safeguards but do something - doing nothing is allowing an open door for Satan to walk right through!

My favorite verse about purity in the Bible is Philippians 4:8 – ‘Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is PURE, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.’

I tend to use ‘Whatever’ as a response when I don’t want to deal with something. To remain focused, I have replaced the ‘whatever’ in this verse with my own personal struggle. That way I can name it – be specific – and own it! I challenge you this week to take this verse and make it your own too!


My actions are true
My words are honorable
My intentions are just
My thoughts are pure
My personality is lovely
My attitude is commendable
My relationship with Christ is excellence
My God is worthy of praise
I will live according to these things.


Free to be me......