The Singlemindedness of Purity
There is a strong link between our hearts and our minds. In fact, Scripture doesn’t really differentiate between the two. What we think is our heart. Therefore, a double-minded woman is one with a divided heart, and a divided heart isn’t a pure heart. James’s point is that a double-minded woman is literally two-minded; she is divided between two ways of thinking, and, as a result, she is ruled by competing options.
Double-Minded
The problem is that we are all double-minded. We want God and a husband, God and a better house, or God and a more fulfilling job. The “and” is what makes us double-minded. We well know that many of the things we want are good things. God has designed us to enjoy many of them, and he delights to give them to us. So it’s not the actual wanting that makes us divided. It’s the fact that we believe we must have them in order to be happy. If we believe there is something— anything—essential for our well-being besides God, we are double-minded. . .
Single-Minded
According to James, the way to a pure heart, the way to know what Paul knew, comes as a result of changing our thinking. We are to become single-minded rather than allowing ourselves to remain double-minded. James is also clear that we are not to be passive in the process; it is something we are told to do. There is no “let go and let God” to be found here.
Purity
Lydia Brownback
Purity addresses the challenges women face in the pursuit of purity. This compact devotional looks to Scripture as it exhorts women to adorn themselves with the purity of Christ.
It is true that we cannot actually change ourselves; God changes us. He does so as we set our minds on him and his ways. But we won’t set ourselves in this direction unless we believe that what we give up in this process is worth the cost. We can’t have it both ways, but we are always going to try unless we are convinced that living for Christ is well worth whatever lesser things we lose along the way.
Single-mindedness is the path to a pure heart, which is why Paul wrote, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom 12:2).
Excerpt from Purity: A Godly Woman's Adornment. Join author Lydia Browback for Tuesday Talk on the topic of Purity starting June 1st!
