Keeping a Pure Mind by John MacArthur Booklet Review. Published 2024 by Grace to You. Available at gty.org. Neither the author nor the publisher solicited a review.

Introduction

Sin is the bane of any person, but even more so for the believer. Sin should be so horrendous to the Christian that the thought of it should make him sick. However, this side of eternity the believer in Christ still struggles with temptation to sin. Thankfully Scripture provides the answer, and John MacArthur unpacks this truth to help the believer keep a pure Mind.

About the Author

John MacArthur is the pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA. He has pastored there for over fifty-five years. He has preached through the entire New Testament. He has written several hundred books and booklets. Furthermore, he is the featured teacher on the Grace to You radio program.

Theme

Keeping a Pure Mind shows how to keep one’s mind pure by following what the Bible prescribed. One needs to beware of sinful thoughts, watch over one’s heart, remember how the mind sins, and judge the heart’s mind and actions with Scripture. Furthermore, one needs to take every thought captive with the Word of God. In so doing one needs to confess and forsake sin, refuse to entertain sinful thoughts, take in the Word of God regularly, and avoid sinful attractions. Only then will one cultivate a love for God.

Who will Benefit From this Booklet?

Every believer who wants to keep a pure mind will benefit from this booklet. The new believer would benefit by it to get basic truths for fighting against sin. The old believer will find it helpful in battling besetting sin. Furthermore, the pastor will find it a helpful gift to give to his congregation and use it in Biblical counseling. The believer in Bible college will find its truths helpful when one is tempted to stray from what one was taught at home. Since the booklet is only seventeen pages, one could read it in an afternoon, around lunchtime, or half an hour before bed. It is extremely practical and profound.

Conclusion

In a world where the believer is constantly bombarded by sexual immorality, covetousness, and sensuality, this practical guide can be a boon for their growth. This booklet will help the believer keep a pure mind in an impure world. However, it will be of little use to people who do not think anything is wrong with their lives. In that case it would be helpful to share the gospel here.

Gospel

Would you consider yourself to be a good person? How many lies have you told in your life? Stolen anything, no matter the size? Have you used God’s name in place of a curse word? Ever looked with lust? Jesus said if you look at someone with lust you are an adulterer. If you have said yes to these questions, you are a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer at heart. You have to stand before a Holy God on judgement day. He must punish all law breakers by sending them to Hell, “where their worm does not die and their fire is not quenched.” (Isaiah 66:24, ESV).

Yet, God is rich in mercy. He sent His Son Jesus Christ, who was fully God and fully Man, to live a sinless life, die on a cross, and rise from the dead to save repentant sinners. God calls all people to repent (turn from sin) and trust in Jesus for their forgiveness from sin. If you do this God will freely dismiss your case, seal you with the promised Holy Spirit, and make you grow in holiness. Now read your Bible daily and go to a godly church. And read this booklet.

More From Striving for Eternity

If you want more information on studying the Bible and how to interpret it correctly, check out the store section at strivingforeternity.org/store. There are tons of resources to help you get started on your journey to interpreting the Bible better. Also, invite Andrew Rappaport and Aaron M. Brewster to come to your church and teach you biblical interpretation with their Biblical Interpretation Made Easy Seminar. Andrew Rappaport, Aaron M. Brewster, and other guests on Apologetics live would also enjoy answering your questions on the live show on Thursdays from 7pm–9pm CST with the link to the stream yard at strivingforeternity.org/apologeticslive. Lord bless you and strive to make today and eternal day for Christ Jesus.