Passion for Purity

It's easy to recognize the things I don't want in my life. Pain, confusion, bad habits. These things I want to avoid at all cost, but unfortunately I find them regularly present in my life. It's almost as easy to dream about the characteristics I do want in my life. Faith, character, legacy. But it seems more difficult to see these elements. I tend to accentuate the negative and downplay the positive. This false humility only serves to stymie my growth as a Christian, and perpetuate a system of shame-based thinking.

I belive God is interested in my passions. What drives me? Motivates me? Moves me to action? He wants my life to be consumed with desire for Him and His Truth. He wants me passionate about purity.

In all my work with individuals struggling with sexual addictions, I have noticed a common trend: most are more passionate about quitting than they are about pursuing. A fire burns in their belly against all the wicked, lustful sins they have committed. They long for freedom from the shackles of their bondage. But their focus on that which must be removed has blinded them to the truth. True freedom and peace is more about pursuit of purity than it is about stopping various behaviors.

God understands this principle of pursuit. Galatians 5:16 states, "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." It is pursuit of God that prevents further failure in sin. As I learn to trust Him and obey His Word, my focus on Him keeps my eyes off all that distracts and disconnects me from intimacy with God. He is central, and all else becomes secondary. The more I pursue Him the less I desire sin.

I admit my passion for purity isn't where it needs to be. But I press on. I continue to submit my weaknesses, asking God to perfect His strength in them. And He is faithful. He leads by example through His passionate pursuit of me. He is relentless in His quest for my heart, my will, my very life. And when I offer myself to Him, I am set ablaze with passion, for He is a consuming fire.

Fired up,

jonathan

Purity Muscles

The longer I live the more I am convinced that my mind operates much in the same manner as a muscle. The more I feed and nourish it with good, healthy "food" the more likely it is to respond favorably. Also, as I exercise this mind muscle it strengthens in its ability to ward off temptation and focus on purity. But the process of strengthening differs from that of a physical muscle.

When I work out a muscle it tears, rests, and is rebuilt bigger and stronger. The end result is I end up with a bigger muscle. This isn't so with my mind, not spiritually speaking. When I "workout" my mind the intent is to strengthen my resolve against temptations and other various spiritual attacks, while simultaneously sharpening my focus on that which is true, noble, right, pure, etc. This exercise is not about increasing the size of MY mind or abilities, but rather exposing the infinite abilities and power of the life of Christ already dwelling within me. My abilities and potential are imperceptible against the vast expanse of God's awesome power. It is to my advantage to decrease that He might increase.

So, the real discipline of exercising my mind is not of acquiring knowledge or expanding capacity. The real goal is peeling off the layers of pride, sin, and spiritual laziness to expose the great treasure of wealth, the very life of Christ, living in me. This proves to be a most difficult task at times and one that allows no rest. It demands my attention at all times and but for the grace of God I would be constantly consumed by the sheer volume of distraction to this one, simple task.

It's never easy getting in shape. But it sure beats being tossed about like the wind.

Pumping mental iron,

jonathan