The scripture in Matthew 15:18-20 clearly defines that what defiles a man comes out of the heart. The centrality of the heart to purity is further highlighted in Proverbs 4:23 with a command to carefully guard and protect your inner self, your thoughts, because they are the source of your actions and life’s direction.

The acting party to do this is none other than yourself. Only you is in control of what you allow into your heart and mind! That’s why those who have gone before us declare boldly that they are responsible. 

Guard your heart as you would guard a literal spring of water to keep it clean and pure.

Statements of personal responsibility abound in the scriptures pointing to the gates to be watched to prevent evil from entering your heart.

• David’s commitment to living a life of righteousness and purity (Psalm 101:3) was a personal vow not to willingly look upon or entertain what is wicked or impure.
• Job’s deliberate measures to avoid sin, particularly sexual lust and temptation, involved making a solemn pledge to control what he looked at (Job 31:1-4)
• The Lord in Mark 4:24 admonished the believer to be mindful of both the content of what is listened to and the manner in which you listen; because the information we consume and our readiness to learn impact our spiritual standing hence the paramount need for discernment, attentiveness and active engagement to test what is being said.

Guarding the heart recognises that the “eye gate” is a primary way through which the desire for forbidden things enters the heart, takes root, grows and brings forth evil actions.

Similarly, the “ear gates” must be guarded, being selective about the information you consume whether through media or personal conversations or even study. Listening to constant discouragement, doubt, fear and anything contrary to the truth weakens your faith, corrupting your perspective! You must actively pursue words of wisdom, faith and knowledge that build you up, aligning your heart with God’s word. This is the way to see David’s admonition in Psalm 119:9-11 kick in.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

In a society where people mock virginity, where integrity is a vanishing commodity and “experts” give conflicting and confusing counsel to the question of how young people can keep their lives pure, know of certainty that the unchanging word of God is the ultimate source of wisdom. It is not sufficient to just know the word of God, we must commit to obeying the word to avoid the lure and subsequent consequences of impurity!

Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. James 4:2-10

We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 1 John 5:18

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Revelation 22:11-12

Which will it be for you, what will you do with the word you’ve read? Selah.



Pastor Afolabi Oladele