Titus 1:15 –
Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.
Wow, this is a harsh one for me to read. I wonder sometimes if am I “pure” in thoughts and actions. I can’t imagine ever being pure to be the case, but then again I am super critical of everything I do and think. I know if I don’t keep myself in “check” I quickly drift into lustful thoughts either about money or women. But being an engineer I tend to over analyze things, like this scripture and get hyper critical over my action.
In context, this is Paul’s letter to Titus seeing how things are going. This chapter is detailing the standards to which church elders must live. I would hope I could live to the standard, but know I fall short. Verse 7 talks about not having a quick temper … I am sure you kids will agree that I FAIL that one!!
Although this chapter sets the standard for an elder of the church, we should strive to live by this standard no matter what our role may be within the church. Which ties us into this verse, having “pure hearts” … what exactly does this mean? I think you know when your heart is pure, and many times only you and God will ever know this. Vernie and her revelations of recent show this to be true, where on the surface everything looked bright. No one had any idea of her “dark” side, not even her best friends.
Your mind is the only true personal connection with God. Think about it, this is the only connection which is truly between you two. No one else really will know your inner thoughts unless you spill your guts. And even then we tend to hold back our complete thoughts. But God knows even the deep dark secrets … and that’s why you get elders who do not live to the standard Paul outlines in this chapter. This is why Jesus focused on sins of the mind, like lusting after another. Sure the 10 Commandments say doing is a sin, but Jesus and God know that where the mind wanders the body soon follows. So strike sin from you thoughts before you get in real trouble … be pure in thoughts!