How Do You Stay Pure In an Impure World?

As followers of Christ, we can only do things that are pleasing to God. We must hate the things God hates and we must love the things He loves.  And one of those things is staying pure in an impure world.

But how do you stay pure in an impure world? As we face the pressures to compromise God’s standards in our lives and live more like the world around us. When everything surrounding you is telling you to defile God’s rules? When everything you see is telling you it’s ok to disobey God. When the world continuously tells you to follow your passions and fleshly desires. When the world supports us living a life full of sin, because the world portrays it as fun and acceptable? How do you stay pure, when we live in a world that tells you bad is good and good is bad?

As a Tewahedo Orthodox Girl, you simply have to decide to live by the standards of God and not this world.  Staying  pure in an impure world is not always easy, but it is possible and it is being done by many girls like you. However, when you decide to live a pure life, the world will make you feel as if you are standing alone. It will feel as if you are swimming against the tide and the pressure to conform can be overwhelming at times. The world will make you feel as if there is something wrong with you. When in fact there is absolutely nothing wrong with you. What helps is that you MUST decide to obey God and God’s word. It will keep you upright in an upside down world.

When  you decide to obey God’s word, you must set clear boundaries in your life. You need to have a plan for purity that protects you from being burned in the heat of passion. Do not put yourself in any situation where you are alone with any guy, thinking you are strong in your faith.  I have seen some of strongest girls with the strongest faith fall into the temptation of lust and end up regretting it for the rest of their life.  Please stay away from anything that will bring you temptation or will place you in compromising situations. Always, surround yourself with godly friends who have the same goals and Christian values, but most importantly surround yourself with God’s word. Every where you go, always keep Christ and His commandments engraved in your heart.  Everything you do, God sees and you must be determined to live a life that honors Christ and Christ only.

My beautiful Tewahedo Orthodox sister, your life will either be shaped by the world or by the word of God, and it is a choice that you and only you can make.  But I do hope you always choose a life shaped by the Word of God.

Author Selam Seyoum 

How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.
Psalms 119:9