How to Operate in Purity and Power – Part 1: The Dynamic Connection between Innocence and Wisdom

A new decade begs for upgraded vision. Actually, “upgrades” was the word the Lord gave me for 2020. God is ALWAYS upgrading us – from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18), from faith to faith (Romans 1:17), and from strength to strength (Psalms 84:7). There’s so much to God’s upgrades and I invite you to share in that word for yourself!

 

God is upgrading how I see myself. I want to share this with you, because I believe there is blessing in it for you! He told me simply, “Catherine, you are pure and powerful.” 

This made me think and led me into some study. Usually we do not connect purity to power. But this is HUGE! 

 

In Part 1 I will unpack the dynamic of purity and power that we don’t often hear about. In Part 2, I will delve into how to practically operate in this flow and continue in Part 3.

 

Wise as Serpents Innocent as Doves

 

Jesus, when He sent out the 12 disciples into the world, admonished them in Matthew 10:16 (AMPC):

 

16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; be wary and wise as serpents, and be innocent (harmless, guileless, and without falsity) as doves.

 

The wisdom of God from the tree of life (as opposed to ungodly wisdom from the tree of knowledge of good and evil) packs a wallop of power. Interestingly, the admonishment from Matthew 10:16 was to be as wise as serpents! The word wise is the Greek word, phronimos, and means to be Intelligent, wise, prudent and mindful of one’s own interests. We are to be as intelligent, wise, prudent and mindful of our own (imagine that!) interests AS serpents – how surprising! 

 

The word serpent brings the idea of sharpness of vision as a snake. We usually picture a type of sly cunning practiced by an artful malicious person, especially satan. Sharpness of vision involves keen and farsighted penetration, and judgment or discernment. However, while we are operating in this sharpness of vision and wise cunning, we are to be harmless, guileless and innocent as doves. We are empowered with godly wisdom as we indeed have access to the mind of Christ containing all wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:16). We are empowered in innocence as we connect with our original design. 

 

Innocence here is from the Greek word, akeraios, which unmixed, pure of the mind, as in wines or metals without a mixture of evil. It also means free from guile, innocent, or simple. 

 

Cheerful Innocence 

 

Philippians 2:14-16 (TPT) elaborates on this innocence:

 

14 Live a cheerful life, without complaining or division among yourselves. 15 For then you will be seen as innocent, faultless, and pure children of God, even though you live in the midst of a brutal and perverse culture. For you will appear among them as shining light in the universe, 16 offering them the words of eternal life.

 

Interestingly, Innocence looks like cheerfulness. Sometimes we can get so sophisticated; we become cynical and jaded. We become “too cool for school” and unteachable. When we complain and bicker we start to look like the brutal perverse (that means twisted) culture around us.  One of the attributes of true innocence mentioned in verse 15 is maturity. What looks like naivety to the undiscerning is actually maturity. In a sense, we grow up to be childlike. Truly, the kingdom of heaven belongs to the childlike (Matthew 19:4, Mark 10:14, Luke 18:16). 

 

Innocence keeps us powerful

 

How does God see us? He sees us with unstained innocence! Colossians 1:20 (TPT) says:

 

20 And by the blood of his cross, everything in heaven and earth is brought back to himself—back to its original intent, restored to innocence again

 

Moreover, it is clear that we were created innocent and chosen before we were sent to planet earth. Ephesians 1:4 (TPT) says:

 

4 And he chose us to be his very own, joining us to himself even before he laid the foundation of the universe! Because of his great love, he ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an unstained innocence.

 

How does our purity keep us powerful? 1 John 3:21 (KJV) gives us important insight.

 

21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

 

The state of our hearts is of crucial importance. If we feel condemned, even if in Christ there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1), faith is undermined. When we are double-minded, we are disconnected from our powerful place. Connection with our purity causes us to act benevolently. We can stand with confidence that God is for us and will back us. Being at rest, convinced about our purity, keeps us powerful! But, what about when we do feel condemned? I love the verse before verse 21 – God helps us even when our hearts condemn us. 1 John 3:20 (KJV) says:

 

20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

 

God is greater than our condemnation. He knows who we truly are – created in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26), in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21) and forgiven for every way we have violated that (Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, 1 John 2:2). He will remind you that you are clean, because of what He accomplished! He will prompt you to continue to look to Christ, Who reveals your true essence and authors and finishes His faith within you (Hebrews 12:2)! Power is released as faith rises within you. 

 

Any time we connect with God, we are empowered. The word says that the pure of heart see God (Matthew 5:8). Wow! Indeed purity is powerful!

 

The Tension between Innocence and Wisdom

 

The tension between innocence and wisdom is not only possible, but mandated and empowered by the grace of God (Matthew 5:48, Matthew 10:16, Romans 12:2, Philippians 2:14-16, Hebrews 10:14, 1 John 4:18). 

 

This reminds me of Jesus saying that the prince of this world (satan) was coming for Him, but there was nothing in Him (John 14:30). Any fallen mindset and way of being can be exploited to cause us to act in sin. Fortunately, what God ordains, He empowers. Ephesians 1:4 brings out the fact that we were created, chosen, and ordained to operate in original innocence. Indeed, humanity’s original innocence found in Christ, the first Adam, is overwhelmingly greater that the fallenness of mindsets and behavior of the second Adam (Romans 5:12 – 21). You are ordained or marked by Love in original innocence – and living in this reality causes you to be powerful!!!!

 

I trust that this has been enlightening and motivating for you. I’d love to hear your insights!

 

XO,

 

Catherine

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