Living a holy life seems to be an impossible task, especially when defined by the standards that have historically been set.
However, the Bible presents an idea of holiness that differs from these ideals.
The idea of holiness in the Bible is not about living a monastic life, but about living covered under the righteousness of Jesus, keeping us united to Him by faith as members of God’s family.
There are multiple things that make us turn away from God and that take us away from living a holy life.
Today, I would like to share with you seven things to abandon to live a holy life. To do so, I invite you to read a short passage from the Bible:
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
Therefore do not be partners with them.
Ephesians 5:3 – 7
In today’s passage of study, the Apostle Paul is encouraging the church in the city of Ephesus to abandon a series of practices that not only destroy holiness, but would inevitably close the gates of heaven to them.
The seven things that are mentioned are:
#1 Sexual immorality
With sexuality being such an important area in the human experience, it is only natural that it affects our ability to live a life in harmony with God.
Sexual immorality covers a broad spectrum of human activities.
It refers to unbridled surrender to the low passions of carnal nature. To sum it up, I would say that it covers all sexual relations outside the bond of marriage between a man and a woman.
As well as pornography and lasciviousness.
Our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and we must respect it by keeping our mind and body oblivious to things that do not do it good and that divert it from eternal things.
#2 Impurity
The Bible states that to live a holy life, it is necessary to abandon all kinds of filth or impurity.
This sin refers to a perverted attitude and way of life that lacks modesty and good morals.
To live a holy life, anything that is not good, pleasant, and perfect, which leads us, in a lesser or greater degree, to a depraved mind must be avoided.
#3 Avarice
Another trap that we often encounter, those of us who want to live a holy life is the inordinate and unscrupulous ethical zeal to procure material goods as the main objective of existence.
This sin is so serious that it is mentioned alongside sexual immorality and idolatry, probably because it consists of putting money in God’s rightful place.
#4 Idolatry
Living a holy life involves keeping God in his rightful sovereign place in our lives.
The activity of pretending to remove God from the throne of our lives and replace him with anything else or person is certainly abominable.
Human beings are prone to idolatry, so to live a holy life it is necessary to consider whether our heart is connected to God’s through his eternal love.
#5 Indecent words
It’s more common than I’d like, but even those of us who want to live a holy life can sometimes err in the way we communicate our ideas.
A Christian’s conversation must be free from all kinds of morbid or double-entending innuendo.
Even if nothing is meant by it, or it seems innocent, we must avoid any semblance of evil.
#6 Foolish conversations
The mind quickly clings to the things that are contemplated, for this reason, to live a holy life it is necessary to abandon conversations that do not build, or that do not communicate anything good.
Ask God to help us put aside gossip, destructive criticism, fights, among others.
#7 Rude jokes
An immoral sense of humor is evidence that a person is not living a holy life.
There is nothing wrong with humor, it is a blessing and a gift from God for us to enjoy, however, we must avoid lending our mind so that the immoral is funny to us.
Conclusion
Although this list is not extensive, and other parts of the Bible mention other sins that prevent us from living a holy life, this is a good starting point for reviewing our lives.
To consider in which areas we need to ask God to help us improve and give us strength.
I hope these words are a blessing to your life.
And what do you think? What things must be abandoned to live a holy life? Share in the comments.
A hug, God bless you.
