"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." Psalm 51:10-12 NIV
Have you gone too far? Have the stains set in? Is the impurity in your life something that even God cannot cleanse?
No. Purity is just one choice away. David, the great king of Israel, was a man with deep stains of sin. He was an adulterer and a murderer. Yet, he received a clean heart and a fresh start. David prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10 NIV). The choice to humble himself, to openly confess his wrongdoing, was the beginning of his cleansing. We must take full responsibility for our impurity. Otherwise, we lie and do not live by the truth (1 John 1:6). In order to be pure, we need to be soft... soft to conviction and correction. But, we don't always feel soft or feel like we want to change. Don't wait for a feeling of softness or contriteness to set in before humbling yourself. Step out in obedience. Speak out the acknowledgement of your sin. Confess how awful it really is. Your humble and vocal confession will start the softening process.
Purity comes from God, just like David acknowledged. We can spend days and months trying to scrub the dirt from ourselves. But, sheer determination will not bring about the cleansing we desperately desire. So, how can we get clean?
1. Take full responsibility for your impurity before God, recognizing that your sin is first against him (Psalm 51:4).
2. In humility, cry out for God's mercy and a hatred for impurity (Psalm 51:10-12).
3. Walk in the light (be vulnerable and honest) with brothers and sisters in the Lord (1 John 1:7).
4. Make plans to stay away from impurity. Get rid of impure movies, books, tech devices, games, etc. (Ephesians 5:3).
2. In humility, cry out for God's mercy and a hatred for impurity (Psalm 51:10-12).
3. Walk in the light (be vulnerable and honest) with brothers and sisters in the Lord (1 John 1:7).
4. Make plans to stay away from impurity. Get rid of impure movies, books, tech devices, games, etc. (Ephesians 5:3).
Purity is one choice away.
For further reflection, read Psalm 51 and 1 John 1.
HOME | ABOUT | TODAY'S STEP |
|
© 2023 stepstudyteach.com
All Rights Reserved. You are encouraged to use this content for personal devotions, small groups and church groups. It may not be re-published or sold at any time. |