… whatever is pure …think about such things.
Summary: Trying to tell ourselves what NOT to think about is doomed to fail. Paul’s solution is to redirect our thinking towards something without any worldly contamination.
Paul is clever!
There is a scene in the 1984 “Ghostbusters” movie where the four Ghostbusters are in the final battle with “Gozer the Gozerian.” After blasting the apparition with their “proton beams,” Gozer disappears. Thinking that they have “won,” the four heroes relax for a moment until the ground starts to shake and the building begins to sway.
A menacing voice is heard booming above the sound of lightning: “The Traveller has come! Choose and perish!”
If you know the story, you know that whatever they focused their minds on would become the form that the enemy would take. When they figure this out, Venkman says, “Don’t think of anything yet. Clear your minds. We only get one crack at this.”
Of course, it is too late. The voice of Gozer booms out, “THE CHOICE IS MADE. THE TRAVELLER HAS COME.”
Fortunately for them, the result of trying NOT to think of something resulted in the funniest movie monster ever — the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. In real life, trying not to think of something is often the surest way to make certain we DO think of it.
Instead of telling us what NOT to think about, Paul tells us to think about things that are pure. Instead of telling us to think about “nothing,” he points us in the direction of something.
This is not as easy as you might think!
The Greek word “hagnós,” which the NIV translates as “pure,” means “clean, i.e., (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect:—chaste, clean, pure.”*
Instead of telling us to avoid thinking about things that are sinful, Paul challenges us to think about things that are perfect.
I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time figuring out what to think about. The only example of “innocent, modest, perfect, chaste, clean, and pure” that I know of is Jesus. Perhaps Paul knew that? If he did, it would be the perfect solution to his challenge!
Application: Think about Jesus — all day long.
Food for Thought: What other examples of things that are “pure” can you come up with? What effect does thinking about such things have on your mind?
*”G53 – hagnos – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (niv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 1 Dec, 2025. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g53/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
What other examples of things that are “pure” can you come up with? What effect does thinking about such things have on your mind?
We live in a world that is defiled by the sin of mankind, but the Bible does tell us we can still seek and find purity. It is Christ within us that empowers us to live a life described within His word. When we live according to His commands, He offers us His purity. I often find that my motives determine whether my actions are pure or defiled. I would love to be able to say all my actions are pure, but I know this is not true. I do, however, thank God that His Holy Spirit speaks to my heart and asks me about my motives. When I do “good thing” for a defiled reason (save face, gain something, try to control something) it weighs on my conscience after. When I do “good thing” for a pure reason (to help someone, to build someone up) my conscience is clear, and that “clear” means internal quiet and clarity, and the voice of the Holy Spirit is easily heard.
So, God’s word and wisdom is pure, and following His Word enables our motives to be pure, and then our actions to be pure.
Titus 1:15
To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.
Psalm 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
Thank you, Chris!
Welcome back!
The passage you quote from Titus is quite revealing:
“To the pure, all things are pure…”
Thank you!
Hey CH, Welcome Back, Great input this morning!
1.) What other examples of things that are “pure” can you come up with?
Webster says, to be pure is to be free from mixture with something else, like pure water. Free from contaminants. It’s undiluted.
For believers, pureness is to be free from moral defilement, to be blameless, unblemished in our walk with our Lord, untarnished, uncorrupted. A new born child, time in prayer, time in study of Gods word, a Godly thought, Gods love freely shared with others, Are all examples of a spiritual truth, leading to life free of guilt and sin.
Psalm 12:6, The words of the Lord are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.
Colossians 3:2, Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
James 3:17, But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
2.) What effect does thinking about such things have on your mind?
Sitting our minds, hearts on the righteousness of God is to give priority to life in the Spirit of God, who is calling for all humankind to come and enjoy His gift of eternal life now. This gift will give eternal joy to all who receive and share this power of the Holy Spirit of God over our flesh.
Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Thank you, Ron!
You have painted a beautiful portrait of finding peace through Jesus Christ. 🙂
Thanks for the great input and Bible verses. I have nothing more to add. CH – I hope and pray that your mission was transformative and full of lasting memories.
Thanks, Rich!
Nice to see everyone again
Thanks, Paul!
So true!!