How can Titus 1:15 guide us in discerning good from evil today? The Spotlight Verse “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and their consciences are defiled.” – Titus 1:15 God’s Principle: Purity Starts Inside • Purity is not first about externals; it is a heart condition. • Scripture affirms that a cleansed heart sees the world through cleansed eyes (Matthew 5:8; Psalm 24:3-4). • When the inner man is yielded to Christ, ordinary, even disputed matters can be handled without fear of moral compromise (Romans 14:14, 20). Why Purity Clarifies Discernment • A pure heart is tuned to God’s character, so right and wrong become clearer. • The Holy Spirit bears witness with a believer’s conscience (Romans 8:16). • Sound discernment grows as the “mind is renewed” (Romans 12:2) and “trained by practice to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14). How Defilement Muddies Decision-Making • Titus 1:15 warns that defilement distorts perception; nothing looks clean to a polluted conscience. • When unbelief takes root, the mind rationalizes sin, and the conscience loses sensitivity (Ephesians 4:17-19; 1 Timothy 4:2). • Even good gifts can be twisted: food (1 Timothy 4:3-4), relationships, entertainment—nothing remains “pure” to the defiled. Cross-References that Echo the Point • Proverbs 4:23 – “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” • 1 Timothy 1:5 – “The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.” • James 3:17 – “Heavenly wisdom is first of all pure, then peaceable...” • 2 Corinthians 7:1 – “Let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Practical Steps for Today 1. Begin each day in the Word; Scripture washes the mind (Ephesians 5:26). 2. Confess sin quickly (1 John 1:9). A clear conscience keeps the spiritual filter clean. 3. Evaluate media, conversations, and habits by asking: Does this nurture purity or dull my sensitivity? 4. Cultivate thankful recognition that “everything created by God is good” when received rightly (1 Timothy 4:4-5). 5. Stay in fellowship. God often uses other believers to sharpen discernment (Proverbs 27:17). A Daily Self-Check List • Is my conscience clear before God and people? • Am I clinging to unbelief or hidden sin that clouds judgment? • Do my choices spring from love for God and neighbor? • Is the Holy Spirit’s fruit—especially purity—visible in my reactions? Encouraging Final Thoughts Titus 1:15 reminds us that discernment is not merely a mental exercise; it flows from a heart made pure by Christ. Guard that heart, keep short accounts with God, and the difference between good and evil will grow increasingly obvious, even in a morally confused world. |
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