Has the definition of purity changed to accommodate vulgar minds?

on May 19, 2026

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: I’ve been shocked to hear how prime-time news programs have adopted, and adapted, to smut. One of the leading programs uses disgusting humor, applying it to everything. They can talk about a little puppy and turn it into something obscene. This has nothing to do with news or entertainment. Why wallow in muddy filth? What has happened to encouraging one another to have pure thoughts, pleasant thoughts and seeing the good that is still possible? It’s becoming more difficult to raise children in this environment. Has the definition of purity changed to accommodate vulgar minds? – B.P.

A: Purity is still defined as something unadulterated or unmixed with anything foreign, such as pure gold which has not been watered down. It simply means, “clean,” like a dish which has been thoroughly washed, or clothes that have been scrubbed.

If we’re truly pure in our hearts, we will have a single-minded devotion to the will of God. Our motives will be unmixed; our thoughts will not be adulterated with those things which are not right. And our hearts will be clean, because we will not tolerate known sin in our hearts and allow it to pollute us.

There’s another dimension to this word pure. It means to purge of wrong so it can be used for right. The Bible illustrates this: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: … fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness … . Put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk … . Put on then, … compassion, kindness, … meekness and patience … . And above all these put on love” (Colossians 3:5, 8, 12, 14, RSV).

The Bible warns about evil communications that corrupt good manners. Off-color jokes and dirty stories have no place in the Christian life. Being pure in conduct also includes honesty and integrity in dealing with our fellowmen.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)