Holiness is a call to be set apart for God, living in a way that honors Him. The Bible encourages us to pursue holiness in our everyday lives. Today, we’ll explore what it means to be holy and how we can grow closer to God.
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What Does The Bible Say About Being Holy
1 Peter 1:16
“Be holy, because I am holy.”
This verse emphasizes the command for believers to live a holy life, imitating the holiness of God. Holiness entails separation from sin and dedication to God’s righteousness.
Living a holy life involves pursuing moral purity, integrity, and godliness in all areas of life, reflecting the character of God and setting ourselves apart from the world’s standards.
Leviticus 11:44
“For I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground.”
In this verse, God calls His people to consecrate themselves and maintain holiness by obeying His commandments. God’s holiness is a standard for His followers to emulate, and it requires their commitment to living in accordance with His principles.
By avoiding things that defile, believers show their dedication to God and their desire to reflect His holiness in every aspect of their lives.
2 Corinthians 7:1
“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
This verse encourages believers to purify themselves from sins and influences that defile their bodies and spirits. The promises of God motivate believers to strive for holiness as an act of reverence and adoration towards Him.
Perfecting holiness involves continuous sanctification through repentance, surrendering to the Holy Spirit’s work, and actively rejecting sinful behaviors or attitudes that hinder our pursuit of holiness.
Hebrews 12:14
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
This verse highlights the significance of holiness in our relationships with others and our ultimate vision of seeing the Lord. Pursuing holiness involves seeking peace and reconciliation with everyone and promoting unity within the body of Christ.
Holiness is essential for believers because it allows us to have a clear and unobstructed view of God’s glory and presence.
1 Thessalonians 4:7
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”
God’s calling for believers is to live a holy life, free from impurity. This verse highlights the contrast between living according to the world’s standards and the sanctified life that God desires for His people.
By pursuing holiness, believers exhibit their obedience to God’s calling and demonstrate the transformative power of Christ in their lives.
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
This verse affirms believers’ identity as a chosen people, set apart by God to declare His praises. Being a holy nation means representing God’s righteousness, love, and truth to the world.
Living as God’s special possession involves embracing our unique purpose and reflecting God’s holiness through our words and actions.
Ephesians 1:4
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”
Before the foundation of the world, God chose believers to be holy and blameless in His sight. This verse highlights the eternal plan of God to transform His people into His likeness and sanctify them for His purposes.
Understanding our predestined identity as holy and blameless in Christ inspires believers to align their lives with God’s will and pursue holiness as an outflow of gratitude and obedience.
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Believers are called to manifest their holiness through their character and actions. This verse urges believers to display the virtues of Christ, such as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
By embracing these qualities, believers reflect God’s holiness and attract others to the transformative power of the Gospel.
1 Peter 3:15
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Living a holy life involves honoring Christ as Lord and being prepared to share our faith with gentleness and respect. This verse highlights the importance of maintaining a Christ-centered perspective and being ready to explain our hope in Him.
Our holy conduct, combined with a winsome and gracious demeanor, can serve as a testament to the transformative power of Jesus in our lives.
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
This verse emphasizes the communal aspect of holiness. Believers are encouraged to gather together, promoting love, good deeds, and encouragement among one another.
By actively participating in the fellowship of believers, we stimulate one another toward greater holiness and become a stronger witness to the world as we unite in pursuing God’s kingdom.
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Holiness extends to our thought life as well. This verse encourages believers to focus their minds on things that are true, noble, righteous, pure, lovely, and admirable.
By intentionally directing our thoughts towards these honorable qualities, we cultivate a mind that is aligned with God’s holiness, leading to transformed attitudes and actions.
Romans 6:22
“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”
Through our union with Christ, believers have been set free from the power of sin and have become servants of God. This verse teaches that the fruit of this newfound relationship is holiness, which leads to eternal life.
As we yield to God’s authority and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, holiness becomes a natural outgrowth of our transformed lives.
1 Timothy 4:12
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.”
Regardless of age, believers are called to be examples of holiness in every aspect of life. This verse encourages young believers to set a positive example through their speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
Exhibiting holiness draws attention to the transformative power of Christ in our lives and challenges societal expectations regarding youth.
2 Timothy 2:21
“Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”
By purifying themselves from sinful influences and behaviors, believers position themselves to be used by God for His special purposes. Holiness prepares and equips believers to carry out God’s good works effectively.
Our consecration to holiness enables us to serve as instruments in the hands of our Master, bringing glory to Him through our lives.
Psalm 29:2
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”
This verse urges believers to worship and give glory to the Lord, recognizing and honoring the splendor of His holiness. Genuine worship is an acknowledgment of God’s unmatched holiness and a response to His greatness.
When we approach God in awe and reverence, our worship becomes an expression of our desire to reflect His holiness in our lives.
Psalm 119:9
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”
This verse addresses the pursuit of holiness and purity. It highlights the importance of aligning our lives with God’s Word as a means of staying on the path of purity.
As we saturate our hearts and minds with God’s Word, it guides and directs our thoughts, actions, and decisions, enabling us to walk in holiness and righteousness.
Psalm 86:11
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.”
In this verse, the psalmist recognizes the need for divine instruction and guidance in walking in holiness. The psalmist seeks God’s teaching and desires an undivided heart devoted to honoring and fearing His name.
Holiness requires a teachable spirit and a wholehearted commitment to follow God’s ways, relying on His faithfulness to guide us.
Psalm 15:1-2
“Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart.”
This psalm reflects on the requirements for dwelling in God’s presence and experiencing His holiness. Those who have a blameless walk, do what is righteous, and speak the truth genuinely from the heart are invited to live in His holy presence.
Holiness involves living with integrity and walking in righteousness, allowing us to experience the closeness and intimacy of God’s sacred presence.
Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
This verse highlights the direct correlation between purity of heart and experiencing God’s presence. Those who cultivate purity of heart through holiness are granted the privilege of perceiving and encountering God.
Purity of heart involves having undivided devotion to God, free from the contamination of sinful desires and motives.
Colossians 1:22
“But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”
Through the sacrificial death of Christ, believers have been reconciled to God and presented as holy in His sight. This verse reassures believers that in Christ, they are cleansed from all blemish and accusation.
God sees believers through the lens of Christ’s righteousness, and their pursuit of holiness is a response to this incredible act of grace.
Romans 12:1-2
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
This passage emphasizes that living a holy life is a response to God’s mercy and represents genuine worship. Believers are called to offer their bodies, thoughts, and actions as living sacrifices, set apart for God’s purposes.
Holiness requires a transformation that occurs through the renewing of our minds and a deliberate choice to resist the world’s influence, enabling us to discern God’s perfect will.
Titus 2:11-12
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age.”
This passage emphasizes how the grace of God enables believers to live holy lives. God’s grace not only offers salvation but also provides the necessary empowerment and instruction to reject ungodly behaviors and live in accordance with His will.
As recipients of God’s grace, believers are called to pursue self-control, righteousness, and godliness, reflecting the transformative power of grace.
2 Corinthians 6:17-18
“Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
God calls believers to be distinct from the morally impure practices and values of the world. This verse urges believers to separate themselves and avoid any association with that which is unclean.
By embracing this separation and pursuing holiness, believers enjoy a special relationship with God as His beloved sons and daughters.