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.
“But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27). It would be best if you worked on creating in your mind mental structures for success. A study was done where two basketball teams had to shoot free throws. One group went out and shot 100 free throws with something life 30% accuracy. The second group had sat for 30 minutes and visualized making a perfect free throw 100 times. That team went out and shot 100 free throws with 75% accuracy. What is the difference? The mental structure. You can do the same. Paul said, “I discipline my body, I seek to please God.” Just like Paul, we must get in our heads what we will do to be successful in Christ. Work to create Godly mental structures. ...
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