Gaze on God’s glory
“We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image” (2 Cor. 3:18). Transformation happens by “beholding the glory of the Lord.” The principle is: becoming by beholding. The more you see the glory of Christ, the more you will be transformed into His likeness.
Apply this to an addict. Compulsive habits have built up into a pattern from which there seems no escape. How did it gain such power? You made it an idol. You set your affection on it and went to it for comfort. You worshipped your way into this addiction, so you must worship your way out. Worship may be the most underutilized means of grace God has given us.
Pray for purity
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psa. 51:10). This is a believer’s prayer, to be used often. When did you last ask God for a pure heart?
Get up
“Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise” (Mic. 7:8). Nobody makes uninterrupted progress on the path of purity. When you set out to battle against sins, know that you will stumble and fall. Don’t be overwhelmed by another failure. Discouragement blunts the cutting edge of many believers. When you get tired of the battle, it’s easy to give up. But those who make progress are the ones who get up when they fall down.
Know who you are
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1). It’s hard to sin willfully against love like that. What comes of this kind of love? “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:3). Purity is not something you lose when you mess up; purity is something you gain as you grow in the Christian life.
Which of these approaches to purity could be most helpful to you right now?
