"KEEP thyself pure" (1 Tim. 5:2222Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. (1 Timothy 5:22)) is an important word for Christians. So many are so busy in putting others to rights—so occupied in trying to relieve their brother or sister from the mote in the eye—that they really have not time to see where or what they themselves are. "Thyself," says the scripture. Such as judge themselves are the most tender towards others; such as are really the most practically pure are the most sensitive to the evil within themselves, and hence the most forbearing with others.
Keeping "thyself" pure will prevent many a heart-sorrow through friendship with evil. No one puts new-laid eggs in a bag of soot; even little children with clean clothes on keep out of the dirt for a time. A man who keeps himself pure will be careful with whom he associates; he will lay hands suddenly on no man; he will also give a wide berth to other men's sins.