Bible verses about purity

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Purity is not a rule with a reward attached; the seeing is the reward.

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

Named plainly as the will of God for you — not a preference, and not a higher tier of Christian.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Grace teaches. It does not only cover what you did; it trains you to live differently.

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. The argument is not that you are dirty, but that you are inhabited.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

David asked for a new heart rather than better behaviour. It is the more honest prayer, and the one that actually changes things.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Keep your heart with all diligence, because everything flows out of it. Purity is upstream work.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Jesus moves the line back from the act to the look — which sounds heavier until you notice it lets you fight while the fight is still winnable.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Transformed by the renewing of your mind. Renewing is ongoing, which is why a plan beats a resolution.

I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

A covenant made with his eyes — decided in advance, in daylight, not in the moment it is needed.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

How does a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to God’s word. The method is named.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Hidden in the heart, so it is already there. Scripture you have to go and look up is not yet armour.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

A list of what to think on. Purity is not only refusing input; it is choosing the replacement.

Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

The warning lands on the wanting, before anything has happened.

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Mortify — put to death — rather than manage. Some appetites are not negotiated with.

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Make no provision for the flesh. Most failures were decided earlier, in what was left within reach.

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Flee, and follow after righteousness with others who call on the Lord. Fleeing alone is half the instruction.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. The order is the whole point.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Confess, and he is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse. Both verbs matter: forgiven of it, and cleaned of it.

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Hiding keeps it alive. Confessing and forsaking is where mercy is found.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

No condemnation. Shame is a poor engine for purity — it burns hot, runs out, and was never what was offered.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

When a man is overtaken, restore him — gently, and watching yourself. Purity was never meant to be rebuilt in private.