pure (i am not the same)

I have been thinking a lot about what I feed my mind. What are the things that consume my thoughts? What purpose do those things serve? Do they build people up or tear them down?

It is so hard to escape worldly things. We are constantly surrounded with profanity, pornography, expectations of attractiveness, and trash on T.V. and in music. It is hard to think pure thoughts and act appropraiately when we are saturated with all of it. God does not condemn us for watching T.V. or listening to secular music. The Bible does say in 1 Corinthians 10:23 that everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. If worldly things are changing who you are, or are hindering who Christ has called you to be, then there is something seriously wrong.

Ephesians 4:17-5:2 encourages us to live as children of light, and to imitate Christ. It says to put off the old self, with all the dirt and grime of the world, and to put on the righteousness of Jesus. Jesus died on the cross for all sin. It is because of this sacrifice that we are able to be pure in God's sight. There is forgiveness in him. Hallelujah for redemption! However, it is our responsibility to daily examine our lives (2 Corinthians 13:5) to make sure we are glorifying God with what we do and say. We have to rid ourselves of things that hinder us.

I am writing this because I am dealing with it right now. Sometimes I check my email so many times a day, but spend very little time reading the Word or doing homework. I get consumed by my favorite show and watch the characters live in sin. My attitude is so judgemental sometimes because the world has trained me to be. But here is the good news!

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free" (Galatians 5:1). The world cannot have me! God has me! I am wraped in his arms and he loves me. I am pure in his eyes. I am washed clean from the dirt and grime.

I encourage you to examine your life. What are some things that hinder you? Just think about it.

Here is a little poem I wrote! Enjoy!

Pure (I am not the same)

What once was black
Now is white
The red that flowed
From the brightest eyes
Cleansed me pure
And won the fight
Between dark and light
Shades of gray
Now the purest white
I am not the same.