Pure in Heart

“Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy––and degrading sex is one of his favorite weapons.”

— J. Gerrett Kell

Easy to Read

I was pleasantly surprised by just how easy this book was to read. Without overdoing it, Pure in Heart is full of stories, illustrations, quips, and examples. History, theology, movies, literature, and so on. This book is practical and relevant to the modern reader. Now, if you’re like me, you read that last sentence and thought: "I don’t care how relevant it is, I want something with meat on it’s bones, like those good ol’ Puritan boys.” Don’t write this book off too quickly. J. Gerrett Kell’s references are impressive. The panel of pastors and authors are full of the likes of Saint Augustine, Martin Luther, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, J.C. Ryle, Thomas Watson, Dietrich Bonheoffer, C.S. Lewis, John Piper and the list goes on. What I mean is despite how digestible, there is a rich theological foundation. Which makes it a great recommendation to people across the spectrum of age, theological prowess, or reading comprehension. Regardless if you’ve read each of the men listed or have never even heard of them before, you will benefit greatly from reading this book.

Pulled No Punches

While reading, I came to a greater understanding of the very real battle we face with sexual temptation. From normalizing pornography to celebrating sexual exploration by any means necessary, this war rages on right outside our front door. The sirens are blaring… Get outside and go to war. One of the many quotes was from John Owen who famously said, “Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you.” Kell properly warns us of the reality of warfare, especially when speaking about that wicked serpent, “But whether he allures with sugar on the tongue or accuses with salt in a wound, the devil is always working. His aim is to turn your gaze from God, because seeing him with sober eyes strengthens your fight for faith in the one greater than all your foes.”

No punch was pulled for the sake of feeling better about yourself. In the chapter titled Drop the Facade, J. Gerrett Kell said, “Sin assures us that we’re safe behind the mask of lies, but we’re not.” Men (and women) who have been plagued with lust do not need to be coddled, they need to be confronted and called to right Christian living. Simultaneously, there was a judgement-free assuredness and brotherly encouragement that was evident. No shame, just be better. What felt like the equivalent of “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11). This was a pastoral plea to purity.

Gospel-Centered Wisdom

Out of all the positive notes that can be applied to this book, the greatest has to be the number of nuggets rich in gospel-centered wisdom. I’m not sure I turned a single page without reading about the good news of Jesus Christ. With the compassion of a pastor and the honesty of someone who has walked this journey before, J. Gerrett Kell calls brothers and sisters to purity in Christ. Absolute, unbridled, blissful purity. This calling is high but Kell preaches a gospel of hope in Christ. In one of my favorite chapters, titled Enemies, Kell wrote: “On the cross, Jesus was crushed for our sins. The innocent one was condemned for the sins that had condemned us. If you are trusting him, hear this: Jesus was pure in your place. He was crushed for your filth. The certificate listing your failures was nailed to the wood and covered by his blood (Col. 2:13–15).”

As a young husband who has carried the burden of sexual impurity into my marriage, I have spent countless hours bearing the regret of those sins. The same gospel that lifted my head (Psalm 3:3) is the one declared within this book. I was greatly encouraged by it and I pray you are too.

You can purchase this book from Amazon, Crossway, or Thrift Books.