To the pure, all things are pure,
Titus 1:15

I constantly hear this verse misquoted and misapplied, by people who gloss over the first phrase and emphasis the second. They say, “The Bible says, ‘all things are pure!’” They take that to mean that anything goes; it’s okay to play with the devil’s toys.

Here’s what they are missing: God forgives all my sin for Jesus’ sake, but calls me to a life of purity. He declares me pure, then calls me to live pure.

This mis-application of the first part of the verse is made by the very people who are described in the rest of the verse: ”…but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.”
Titus 1:15

If I want to serve God, I must seek purity of heart. It doesn’t matter if I’m singing in church, packing a food box, fixing somebody’s car, or raising my kids: an impure heart disqualifies me from doing real good in this world.

 They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Titus 1:16

Lord, help me to concentrate more on the purity of my heart than on the size of my ministry.
Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles