When it comes to living holy and pure in today’s world, it can feel like we’re trying to swim against a tidal wave of temptation, distractions, and, honestly, downright craziness. I mean, look around! The world's noise is loud, constantly calling us to let go of our values, to “do us,” and not worry so much about things like holiness. It can be exhausting to fight back, especially when everyone else seems to be having an easier time just going with the flow. But let me tell you—we’re called to stand out, not fit in. And God doesn’t give us a challenge without also giving us the strength to rise to it.
Listen, I want you to consider a verse that has been like an anchor for me when I feel like I’m drifting: Romans 12:2. It says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This verse reminds me that living holy isn’t about following some strict rulebook but letting God transform my heart and mind. Holiness is about being set apart, not in a holier-than-thou kind of way, but in a “God’s-got-me-and-I’m-safe-in-Him” way. It’s about letting Him change our thinking so that we naturally want what He wants.
This month, my church, Reformation Memphis, is focusing on holiness and purity. November is officially “PURITY Month,” and our pastor has asked us to present our bodies and lifestyles as pure and pleasing to the Lord. I love that we’re doing this as a church because it’s a reminder that holiness isn’t just for a select few or a particular age—it’s for everyone, regardless of background or generation. God wants us to be pure and holy, and He’s calling all of us to make it real in our everyday lives.
And here’s a big part of this journey for me: accountability. My purity partners are committed to holding each other accountable for the month. This isn’t just about pointing out each other’s flaws but about lifting each other, encouraging one another, and sharing our wins and struggles.
Having a support squad like this makes such a difference. Knowing that someone else is standing with you, praying for you, and sometimes even challenging you can be just the boost you need to keep going.
So, let’s talk a bit about what living pure looks like. Purity is often seen as just “staying away from sin,” but it’s so much more than that. It’s about having a heart that seeks God’s best in every area. Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” When our hearts are pure, it doesn’t mean we’re perfect, but we’re open to God and letting Him clean out those things that keep us from seeing Him.
Here’s where I will get real with you—purity and holiness don’t happen overnight. This is something I have to work on every day. I have plenty of moments when I fall short, mess up, and don’t live up to what I know God’s calling me to. But here’s the good news: God’s grace doesn’t give up on us. It picks us back up.
Each day, we get to start fresh because of His mercy. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
Honestly, there’s a misconception that being holy means you’re missing out on life or are stuck with a list of “don’ts.” But holiness is about freedom, not restrictions. When we choose to live for God, we free ourselves from the chains of comparison, guilt, and shame that this world wants to trap us in. I mean, who wants to keep up with a world that’s constantly changing its standards of happiness? How exhausting. But living a life of holiness and purity, we get to live in a different kind of freedom—one rooted in knowing who we are in Christ and letting that define us instead of anything else.
The practical side of this? Surround yourself with people who are trying to live holy, too. We’re not meant to do this alone. Even Jesus had His disciples, His inner circle, His squad. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” Find your people who will lift you when you’re struggling and call you out (in love) when you start to drift.
Living holy and pure in the 21st century isn’t a cakewalk. But it’s worth it. Not just because of the blessings we’ll see here on earth but because we’re laying up treasures in heaven that will last. And remember, God doesn’t expect us to get it perfect. He’s looking for willing hearts that want to try, even if we fall a hundred times.
So, the next time you feel overwhelmed by what the world is throwing at you, take a breath, lean into God, and remember—you’re not alone in this journey. God is with you, and He’s got all the strength, grace, and love you need to keep moving forward. We’re in this together, and with His help, we can live holy, even now.
What does living a holy and pure life mean to you? Share your experiences in the comments below.
Janette Owens is the founder of Be Inspired For Real and owner of Be Inspired For Real LLC. She loves everything inspirational and has spent most of her life inspiring and motivating others through humor, prose, exhortation, and God's grace. Janette is the author of A Swan Song, an intimate collection of poems and short stories. Janette lives just outside of Memphis, Tennessee.
댓글