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 Pure Water - the Standard

If you live in Anderson, or are friends with anyone from Anderson on Facebook, you've probably heard a lot lately about clean water (or the lack of)! I've seen people rant about contacting officials, demanding reductions in water bills, I’ve been seen pictures of brown water and green water....
And then I've seen people "kindly" (or not so much) remind the complainers how blessed we are, and how a little inconvenience with our water purity shows how much we take for granted, and compare our conditions with those around the world.

To me, the truth of the matter is, I can see both sides.
As Americans, we have come to expect a level of purity in our water based on what has been provided and available to us our whole lives.
We expect - and some demand - pure water, pure air, and pure food. Some people go to great lengths to ensure they, their children and their pets are feasting on purity!

Unfortunately for many, the high level of expectation for purity stops there. Purity of heart and mind doesn't really seem a big concern to most.
We watch, listen to, read and act just like the society around us.
JUST LIKE WE HAVE ACCEPTED A STANDARD OF PURITY FOR OUR WATER BASED ON WHAT IS READILY AVAILABLE - WE HAVE ALSO ACCEPTED A STANDARD OF MORAL PURITY BASED ON SOCIETY STANDARDS, NOT GODS!

My opinion, that standard is low or non-existent. (just turn on your TV and watch them use Sex to sell everything from cars to burgers!)
But the truth is, if you are a Christian, Gods Word is still the standard. Purity is still expected.
God has not relaxed His standards because our society has.

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Titus 2:12 Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives IN THE PRESENT AGE!

God is not shocked that the world lives worldly, but I think He is saddened when His children do.
The battle for purity begins in the mind and so we need to be careful what we fill our minds with. The fight will not be won in isolation - we need to pray and ask God for help and we need Christian community and accountability.

I'm eager for the day Christians are as concerned about the purity of our hearts and minds and those of our children as we are about the water they drink.

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.


Proverbs 4:23-27 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.  Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

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