31 Days of Prayer for your Spouse {Day 22 :: Purity}

Purity

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

Psalm 51:10

  Have you ever noticed that even the world puts a price on purity?  Virgin olive oil, organic fruits & vegetables, pure silver & gold are just a few examples.  If we want something to be pure, there is a premium price to be paid.   Our Heavenly Father also intentionally places a premium on purity all as well.  Purity in its simplest form is defined as nothing that is mixed in.  As we read the Old Testament we see how the Jewish leaders placed an emphasis on not defiling themselves.  In the New Testament Jesus revolutionizes their traditions by telling them they are nothing but white washed tombs (Matt 23:27)…. with only the appearance of purity because their hearts were full of evil.   So how does your loving Father want you to be pure in today’s culture? What is being mixed in to your life that must die? What attitudes right now are defiling your walk with the Lord? What secret activities are contaminating your marriage?  What small but disturbing behaviors are currently corrupting your career?   It’s a profound realization when we see that God views impurity as adultery (Hosea 1:2, 4:12, 6:10, 7:4 7:13-14, 9:1, Mark 8:38, James 4:4).  Yes, mixing impure thoughts and behaviors into your Christ-centered life is that serious.  Marriage reflects the covenant Christ has made with His bride and is an exact replication of how your own marriage reflects the purity of His covenant. Purity will always lead to the holiness of Almighty God, but before we can take a step forward on our journey we must repent of our own impurity.  God can only create a clean heart when we are first repentant of our sin.   Father, please forgive me for putting _______________ in front of you.  I have committed spiritual adultery.  I have not been pure. I have not remained faithful. But by your grace and mercy you paid the ultimate price for my unfaithfulness.  I desperately want You to renew a right and steadfast spirit within me Lord.  Your promises always remain faithful, and now I commit my faithfulness back to You and my spouse.      

To see a list of all of the devotions for 31 Days of Prayer for Your Spouse, click here. Make 2014 the year that you add the most important ingredient for a wonderful and fulfilling marriage…grace! Dr. Kimmel’s new book Grace Filled Marriage is a great place to start! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google +. Subscribe to our blog!