"Set an example.. in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." (1Timothy 4:12 NIV).

We are to be examples of purity in the workplace. We are to demonstrate purity of speech, life, love and commitment. Perhaps we are dissatisfied with our present job or situation. We may have new work lined up and are counting the days until we make the transition. Purity of commitment requires that we give 'our all' on our present job, despite our feelings about it.

What do we mean by 'purity'? The Bible refers to 'purity' in reference to the gold of the tabernacle. All that was to represent God was to be of 'pure' gold. It was to be without defilement or adulteration.

God Himself is described in the Bible as a purifier of the human heart. He is 'The Refiner' (Malachi 3:2-3). The refiner heats the metal until all the impurities come to the surface and are skimmed off. According to tradition, the refiner was only satisfied when he could see his own image reflected in the metal.

Do our actions reflect the refiner's image?

A refinery is designed to remove the impurities from whatever substance is pumped into it, so that it is ready to go out in an unadulterated, purified state. What a refinery does for petroleum, so our 'heart', the control center of our spiritual life, is designed to do for our thoughts, affections, motivations and resolutions. Just as low-grade oil or alloyed gasoline would cause you to question the performance of a refinery, so impure thoughts and evil acts cause us to question the condition of our hearts.

Jesus diagnosed the universal heart-disease in the human race: "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander" (Matthew 15:19). Impure thoughts lead to immoral actions.

This diagnosis jolts us, causing us to recognize that we are in trouble and we need a new heart, a new control center for our life. We need a heart transplant. This is the promise of the New Covenant and the provision of the gospel of Jesus Christ: "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." (Ezekiel 36:25-27 NIV).

Jesus perfectly reflected the image of The Refiner. He is the pure gold of the tabernacle, the perfect image of God tabernacling among us (John 1:14). He demonstrated the power, the promise and the practice of personal purity.

Here are some practical steps we can take to cooperate with the work of God's Spirit and both exercise and P-U-R-I-F-Y our new spiritual heart:

Prayer. Jesus demonstrated that the first step in heart maintenance is prayer (Matthew 6:9). Our thoughts, affections, motivations, imaginations and conscience are purified as we worship, approaching God as our heavenly Father, and reflecting on His self-revealed nature (His Name). We pray that our hearts would align with His Word and His kingdom agenda, that we would be receptive to every provision, extend forgiveness and not be led into temptation.

Unmask the Tempter. Jesus demonstrated that we need to see what is behind the lure of each temptation - a Satanic snare to remove us from fellowship with God our Father. Deliver us from the evil one.

Resolve a Code of Conduct. There are principles and precautions we can take to avoid the catastrophic results of moral compromise. Set a hard line. Accept the standards of the kingdom. Do not permit yourself to be a push-over for temptation. For some it means never being alone with the opposite sex other than your spouse. For others who have a problem with lust, it may mean not frequenting a video store. It may mean having a friend holding you accountable.

Identify with Christ. The life of purity is the life of Christ. Accept the fact of your co-crucifixion, co-burial with Christ. Accept the truth about God's provision to represent you in righteousness through your co-resurrection, co-ascension in Christ. Accept the fact that from God's point of view the old life of the sinner has been killed off and Christ is now your life. There is no holiness for the believer but that which comes through the power of the Indwelling Holy Spirit.

Flee temptation. God promises a way of escape. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Take it. Now. Particularly in regard to sexual temptation and youthful lust, don't linger around wondering what God is going to do to deliver you. He has told you what to do. Flee! (2Timothy 2:22; Proverbs 6:5).

Yield to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God can speak to you, comfort you, empower you, minister joy and genuine enthusiasm to you, this moment. He can cause you to walk purely before God and enable you to see Him at work around you (Matthew 5:8).