5-Day Purity Mindset Reading PlanSample

Galatians 5:16 (NIV) “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” 

I have an awful habit of calling myself “fat” after exercising and before eating a meal. The bad-self talk hasn’t helped me improve my self-care at all. Lately, I’ve wondered what would happen if I started calling myself “skinny,” and doing what slimmer, healthier people do on a regular basis. 

Instead of grabbing a handful of fat after a workout, looking at myself in the mirror, and saying, “I’m so fat,” why not strike a pose, hug my curves, and say, “I’m a skinner, fitter version of me.” 

Instead of biting into a huge slice of pizza and rehearsing my mantra: “I’m fat.” Why not choose a healthier option (or at least grab a smaller slice...) and boldly declare: “I don’t want to ruin my figure.” 

When you’re not where you need to be physically, mentally, or even spiritually, it’s easy to view yourself through the lens of who you’re not. 

“I’m not a virgin.”


“I’m not pure.”


Or, “I’m not a good Christian.” 

God wants you to stop identifying yourself by your sin and start embracing your new identity in Christ by operating in the Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

As long as you continue to believe the lies of “I’m not...” you’ll miss out on all that you are in Christ Jesus! 

So instead of viewing yourself through the lens of impurity, start viewing yourself through the lens of purity. Start doing the things that pure people do––what the Bible calls operating in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-24). 

Though in Christ God’s Spirit dwells in us, we still have to wrestle the sinful nature of the flesh (Romans 13:14). Paul teaches that we overcome the flesh when we “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). As we progressively grow in simple obedience to God’s word, walking in the Spirit becomes the way we operate. 

It’s similar to a laptop. The operating system (Windows 8 or macOS Sierra) dictates how the computer functions. 

We uninstall the old operating system (sin or self-centered living) by considering ourselves dead to sin’s influence. We upgrade to the new and improved operating system (righteousness or God-centered living) when we habitually seek to please and submit to God.

So if you’ve been living through the lens of “I’m not...”, it’s time to start living through the lens of “I am.... in Christ!” 

“I am forgiven.”
“I am unconditionally loved.” “I am a child of God.” 

Now, it’s time to live out your new “I am.” Since flesh driven actions result in impurity, sensuality, and so on, Spirit-driven living will produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5: 22-23). Makes sense, right? 

Recently, I consider myself a pop dancer, so I’ve been training and making more efforts to eat like one. My exercise routine is more consistent now and I’m seeing a major difference in my attitude toward fitness. If this works for me physically––which is tough!––how much more will it work for you spiritually?! 

So again, Sis. Identify yourself by your new identity in Christ. Start operating in the Spirit by obeying God’s word. 

I can’t wait to hear how changing your mind about who you are changes you and what you do! 

Prayer: God, please give me Your eyes. Help me see myself through the lens of who I am in Christ, instead of defining myself by my past failures. Please help me stay grounded in Your truth so that I can reject the enemy’s lies and the deceitfulness of sin. Teach me daily how to operate in the Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

My Moment: Today I shared about how I’ve decided to turn the phrase “I’m fat” into “I’m skinny.” This helps me stay motivated and encourages me to achieve my fitness goals. Think of one negative phrase you speak to yourself or action you take that ultimately leads to sexual immorality. How can you reverse that into something that affirms and motivates you to embrace purity?