As Christians we are called to live a clean , or holy, life before GOD. We leave the old person behind, dead in the water (i.e., baptism) and emerge a new being in Christ Jesus. That means, we put away the old sinful habits and seek the LORD to conform us to HIS image.
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy [Leviticus 11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:7].”
Note that Peter says “be holy in all your conduct.” Jesus Christ gave examples to show that committing sin isn’t just a physical act, but an inward act as well (that is, of the heart).
Matthew 5:27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Sin develops in the heart before it can be made manifest in the flesh.
Genesis 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
But what is holiness? And how can we walk in it?
Paul gives us advice on seeking holiness:
1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; … 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
If we go about our day thinking sexual thoughts and lusting after every attractive person we come across… pretty soon the flesh will burn to fulfill the desire of the heart.
Likewise, if we go about our day meditating on the goodness of GOD our CREATOR and the wonderful gift of eternal life we have through HIS Son Jesus the Christ, the flesh will be under subjection of the Spirit.
Since sin starts in the heart, holiness must also take root in the heart in order to become manifest in our daily lives. You know the saying “you are what you eat?” Well, we are also what we meditate on.
Paul writes to the church at Galatia:
Galatians 5: 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Ephesians 5 also gives instruction on living a holy life before GOD.
As usual, things are often easier said than done. As we all have a different name and different personalities, so we all have different struggles in our lives — physical and spiritual. As the Bible passages above show, if we allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit and cooperate with HIM (that is, if we aren’t disobedient and purposefully go against GOD’s Will), then HE can create and sustain these holy attributes in us and in our lives.
We read in Romans 12
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
How can we be transformed by the renewing of our minds? Through two of our basic and most immediate connections with GOD in this world — we can seek the LORD in prayer (Luke 11:1-13, James 5:13-18) and we can seek HIM in HIS Holy Word, otherwise known as the Bible (2 Timothy 3:14-17). These two things we must do regularly. And if we do our part (for faith without works is dead), the LORD is faithful to do the rest. When we are weak, Jesus Christ makes us strong. And when we can’t walk it on our own (and we never truly are alone), Christ Jesus is faithful to carry us.
Dedicate the thoughts of your heart and mind and your daily works to GOD and HE will be faithful to keep you from the Devil’s snares.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Passages to consider: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 | Ephesians 4:17-32 | Titus 3
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