We often confuse a good reputation and purity. A good reputation is not the same thing as purity. (Matt. 23:27-28) A good reputation is focused on your outside action and appearances. You can present anything in a nice package. Purity is about the core of man. Out of the depths of man should come our good deeds. From the pure comes pure things. Being pure will earn you a good reputation. Having a good reputation does not mean you are pure. That is why we must be pure in heart. (Matt. 12:34-35) It is our wellspring of goodness. If we are not pure we cannot give off good. Be careful to not seek a good reputation. Seek a pure heart and purity. Then let the good reputation come from that.
Think on what is lovely. Let God direct your mind to what is truly lovely in this world. At the very least that tree, flower, and blade of grass that He made and you saw today is lovely. Let Him influence your thoughts every day until you think on what God considers lovely. Then dwell on those things. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. (Col. 3:16) There will be an overflow of lovely thoughts pour from your mind. Think about how encouraging to others that would be. Think lovely thoughts.
Comments
Post a Comment