If I were to add a tenth fruit to the fruit of the Spirit, it would definitely be purity. I have always been grateful for the family God has blessed me with. My parents raised me to fear the Lord and to turn away from evil. They would always encourage me to think, look, talk, and act in a pure manner. Christ was always and must always be our example and helper in maintaining God's standards of purity.
However, to my surprise, many of my Christian friends sometimes fail to understand this type of behavior. They have no problem watching films with very questionable scenes or listening to songs with unclean words. Moreover, they feel it perfectly fine to slip in a swear word every now and then. They feel it is alright to smoke a cigarette every now and then, or even on a regular basis. In terms of relationships, they find it perfectly normal to flirt with this person and that one. "These small things do not really count!" they would say.
If we are truly dedicated to the Lord, whose eyes are too pure to look at evil, should we not strive to have a similar attitude? Should we not yearn to be holy in everything we think, say, and do, whether big or small? After all, is it not "the small foxes that ruin the vineyards" (Song of Solomon 2:5)?
Let us recommit ourselves to the Lord. Let us decide to discipline ourselves and our children in a way that pleases the Lord. May God also give us the courage and wisdom to lovingly challenge others with regard to such matters while asking the Lord to continually teach us how to conduct ourselves in all spheres of life.
- 25 MARCH -