Purity is a theme woven throughout the Bible—one that goes beyond outward behavior and speaks to the condition of the heart. While many people associate purity with moral or sexual conduct, Scripture presents a much broader and deeper picture. From the Old Testament laws to Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament, God calls His people to live lives that are pure, holy, and set apart for Him. So, what does the Bible really say about purity, and why does it still matter for Christians today?
What is Biblical Purity?
The clearest definition of purity is found in the Sermon on the Mount, the masterclass for new followers of Christ. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). Pleasing and knowing God begins with a pure heart. A pure heart also blesses a believer.
In another Gospel passage, Jesus discusses the heart as essential to the most important commandment. Quoting the Shema from Old Testament law, Jesus says, “To love him [God] with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices” (Mark 12:33). Loving God with all our heart requires a pure heart, free of the baggage of sin. As the psalmist prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). The Psalms and Jesus’ gospel outline the need for purity of heart. As a metaphor, the heart represents where we feel emotions and make choices. The heart directs our passions and spiritual life. Today, we describe a good person as having a good heart. This understanding was part of the ancient Hebrew mindset as well.
In the Crosswalk.com article “A Prayer for Purity in Every Part of Our Lives,” Jennifer Heeren writes, “An impure life cuts us off from God and drives us further and further into our own rebelliousness.” Indeed, a definition of sin is separation from God. If we continue with impure thoughts and actions, we will have a life apart from God.
There is good news in the New Testament, however. Jesus cleansed us of our sins and made us new again through His sacrifice on the cross. As it says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” A relationship with Christ helps us maintain our purity in spite of our human failings.
What Does the Bible Say about Purity of Heart and Mind?
Purity (or impurity) begins in your heart and mind and leads to actions. In the list found in Galatians 5:19-21, Paul traces many sinful behaviors back to the imagination and tells us what not to do:
"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21).
Paul follows this warning with a list of spiritual virtues for living a pure life:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-25).
The second, positive passage inspires us to behave in a way befitting a life as God’s children, imitating Christ. The Apostle Paul also wrote, “Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). It is fundamental to the Christian life to be pure. It is how we live for Christ and are blessed by God.
How Does the Bible Address Sexual Purity?
Paul continues his moral lessons with advice for the Corinthian people on sexual purity. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, he writes that sexual immorality is a sin against one’s own body, the temple of the Holy Spirit.
There are many cases of sexual immorality in the Old Testament, such as David and Bathsheba’s illicit affair (2 Samuel 11 and 12), Potiphar’s wife attempting to seduce Joseph (Genesis 39), and King David’s daughter Tamar’s rape by her half-brother Ammon (2 Samuel 13).
These Bible narratives are interwoven with military and personal power struggles as well as tragedy. Bathsheba’s husband Uriah is killed when King David orders him to be on the front lines of a battle. Joseph is thrown in jail when Potiphar’s wife accuses him of attacking her; and Ammon is murdered by Tamar’s brother Absalom.
These repercussions of sexual immorality are mere setbacks in the careers of these men, however. King David takes Bathsheba as his wife, and they begin Jesus’ lineage. The pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of the entire land of Egypt because of his gift of interpreting dreams (Genesis 41:41-43). And King David and his murderous son Absalom reconcile (2 Samuel 14:33).
The women in these sexual liaisons do not fare as well. Bathsheba loses her husband, Uriah, and the son she conceived with David. Potiphar’s wife fades out of the Old Testament narrative. Tamar is described as “a desolate woman” in the aftermath of being raped.
In a Christianity.com article, Joel Ryan writes that Tamar’s story reveals “injustices towards women and explores the consequences of sexual sin upon families.” Yet, he says, “the grace of God is on display for those willing to confess and repent from their sin.” God was able to use some of these fallen people to achieve His purposes, regardless of their impure sexual behavior.
In the New Testament gospels, there is forgiveness for sexual impurity. Jesus intervenes in the stoning death of a woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8:1-11). Rather than allowing her to receive the ancient Hebrew punishment of stoning, Jesus addresses the outraged men planning to fulfill the law. Jesus said, “He who has no sin cast the first stone,” and the vengeful crowd disperses. God’s mercy toward sexual impurity is displayed by Jesus in this story. He reveals how God can forgive impurity. With God’s grace, the adulterous woman may change her ways going forward.
What Are Practical Ways to Pursue Purity in a Fallen World?
One of the practical ways a family or individual may encourage purity is through the sacrament of baptism. Baptism connects us to the Christian church, whether we are fully immersed in water or sprinkled with drops from a baptismal fount. It symbolizes our new life with Christ and that he has given us his own purity when we couldn't obtain it for ourselves. Following Jesus’ example of being baptized in the River Jordon, we are washed clean through baptism into God’s church.
A prayer of confession also cleanses us of sin. The prayer comes early in the order of worship in many denominations; it may also be part of our personal prayer life. We may follow the words of the passage in 1 John 1:9 that says, “Yes, if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us of those sins and cleanse us from all wickedness.” Confession purifies our heart, mind, and soul as we receive God’s forgiveness.
Confession is not a one-time practice. We are to maintain our purity in a close relationship with God. As Paul wrote to the new Christians in Galatia, “Search for the Lord and continually seek Him so His strength can give you the courage and ability to walk a pure and wholesome life. Repent when you make mistakes so you can remain in that purity. And always remember that your old self has been crucified with Christ and it is no longer you that lives, but Christ lives within you so that you may live a life of purity” (Galatians 2:20). This verse expresses how confession allows us to receive God’s grace and move forward with purity.
Another important way a person can remain pure is to seek God in his Word. Psalm 119:9 asks and answers a question about maintaining purity: “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.” To live by the Word, we must study, meditate, and pray over the Word on a regular basis.
How Can Christians Overcome Temptation and Stay Pure?
In his letters to new Christians, Paul wrote a great deal on purity of heart, mind, and body. He declared, “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 2:19-22). That is, run, don’t walk away from temptation! And we have the trust that God will never give us more temptation than we can resist (1 Corinthians 10:13).
To the Galatians, Paul wrote, “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other” (Galatians 5:16-17). We can follow this advice and “walk by the Spirit” in a pure, close relationship with God.
Let's end with a scriptural prayer for purity:
“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Pornyot Palilai
