The Life of Innocence, Purity, and Holiness

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the pure life God calls every person to live, explaining that true purity is not an outward appearance but the purity of heart, thought, and intention. God looks at the heart, not at appearances, so purity begins within and extends to all aspects of one’s life.
🔹 True Purity:
True purity means freedom from sin—not only from great sins but also from the small ones that corrupt the heart, such as judgment, gossip, curiosity about others, and negligence in prayer. A pure person examines himself carefully and measures his life by divine standards, not by superficial human ones.
🔹 Levels of Purity:
Purity begins by resisting visible sins, then deepens to include thoughts, dreams, and the subconscious until a person becomes pure in every feeling, thought, and imagination. Even hidden emotions like anger or revenge in dreams reveal that purity is still incomplete.
🔹 Divine Testing of Purity:
God allows trials to test the true purity of a person. Sometimes one may think he has overcome sin simply because temptation has been lifted for a time. The real proof of purity is to remain steadfast under temptation, as Joseph did when he rejected sin despite strong pressure.
🔹 Purity of Heart, Mind, and Subconscious:
A pure heart not only avoids sin but hates it completely. A pure mind has no evil thoughts or desires. The subconscious must also be cleansed from old memories and emotions that may resurface and tempt the soul again.
🔹 Freedom from Worldly Thoughts:
A pure person lives in the world but does not let the world live in him. He uses the world without letting it take root in his heart, because he loves God with all his heart, mind, and strength.
🔹 Positive Purity:
Purity is not only avoiding sin but being filled with God’s love and the fruits of the Holy Spirit—peace, joy, meekness, and patience. A heart ruled by God is both pure and fruitful.
🔹 Spiritual Conclusion:
Each person must constantly examine his heart to see whether it is truly pure. Complete purity prepares the soul for heaven, for a heart attached to the world cannot find joy in eternity, while the pure heart already tastes heaven on earth.
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