Cleanliness in the Bible often represents spiritual purity. Today, we’ll examine what Scripture says about being unclean, both physically and spiritually, and how God provides a way to be made clean.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Being Ugly
What Does The Bible Say About Being Unclean
Leviticus 11:44
“For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of consecrating ourselves and striving for holiness because we serve a holy God. It challenges us to separate ourselves from anything that defiles us and to live a life that reflects the character of God.
As Christians, we are called to be set apart from the world, avoiding impurity and uncleanliness in our thoughts, words, and actions. This verse reminds us that our identity as children of God requires us to live in a manner that aligns with His holiness.
2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.”
God urges us to separate ourselves from anything that is unclean or impure. This not only refers to physical contamination but also to the spiritual and moral influences that can defile us. Our response to God’s call for separation reveals our willingness to walk in obedience and experience His welcoming presence.
To be separate means to have distinct values, attitudes, and behaviors that set us apart from the world. It involves making choices that align with God’s standards and avoiding conformity to the unclean practices of the world.
1 Peter 1:15-16
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.'”
God, who is our Creator and Redeemer, has called us to live a life of holiness. This verse reminds us that our conduct, thoughts, and words should reflect the holiness of our heavenly Father. As His children, we are called to imitate His character and pursue holiness in every aspect of our lives.
Being holy means living in a way that pleases God and reflects His nature of purity, righteousness, and love. It requires us to surrender our lives to His guidance, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out.
James 4:8
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
This verse encourages us to approach God with a sincere and repentant heart, seeking to be cleansed from our sins. It reminds us that true intimacy with God comes through a genuine desire for holiness and a willingness to turn away from sinful practices.
To cleanse our hands means to change our actions and behavior, letting go of sinful habits and embracing righteous living. Purifying our hearts involves seeking forgiveness, renewing our minds, and cultivating a single-minded devotion to God.
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
In this verse, we are reminded of the faithfulness and justice of God. When we genuinely confess our sins and ask for forgiveness, God promises to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and restore us to a state of purity.
Confession involves acknowledging our sins before God, taking ownership of our wrongdoing, and expressing genuine remorse. God, in His mercy, extends His forgiveness and purifies our hearts, allowing us to experience His restoring grace.
Isaiah 6:5
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”
In this verse, Isaiah recognizes his own unworthiness in the presence of the holy God. He acknowledges his unclean lips, which symbolize sinful speech and impure communication.
Seeing the greatness of God’s holiness exposes our own sinfulness and the impurity that resides within us. It humbles us and reminds us of our desperate need for God’s cleansing and transformation in our lives.
Psalm 51:7
“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”
David, in this psalm of repentance, appeals to God to cleanse him from his sins and make him pure. He uses the imagery of hyssop and being washed to describe the radical transformation that only God can bring.
Just as hyssop was used in the Old Testament for purifying rituals, David longs for God’s cleansing to make him completely clean and pure. He recognizes the power of God’s forgiveness to wash away his sin and make him spiritually white, free from guilt and shame.
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.”
This verse teaches us that by separating ourselves from everything that is unclean and unworthy, we become vessels of honor in God’s hands. When we submit to His purifying work, He sanctifies us, making us useful and ready to serve His purposes.
Cleansing ourselves involves actively removing anything that hinders our spiritual growth and maturity. It requires a willingness to surrender our own desires and submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit, so that we may be used for God’s glory.
Ephesians 5:25-26
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.”
The relationship between Christ and the church serves as a powerful example for husbands. Just as Christ sacrificed Himself for the church, husbands are called to sacrificially love their wives and facilitate their spiritual growth and holiness.
The “washing with water through the word” refers to the transformative power of God’s Word in sanctifying and purifying the church. It highlights the role of Scripture in cleansing our hearts, renewing our minds, and guiding us in holy living.
Titus 2:14
“[Jesus Christ] gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
This verse highlights the purpose of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross. He not only redeemed us from sin and wickedness but also purified us to become a people set apart for Himself. As a purified people, we are called to live eagerly and willingly engaged in doing good deeds that honor God.
Christ’s redemption and purification should inspire us to imitate His character and actively pursue righteousness in our daily lives. We are to be a people characterized by our eagerness to please God and to manifest His goodness in the world.
Hebrews 9:14
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
This verse highlights the power of Christ’s sacrificial death to cleanse not only our actions but also our consciences. Through His atoning blood, Christ cleanses us from guilty consciences, freeing us from the weight and consequences of our sins.
Cleansed consciences enable us to serve the living God without fear and hindrance. We can approach Him with confidence, knowing that we have been made clean and forgiven through the finished work of Christ on the cross.
Psalm 19:12
“But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.”
This verse acknowledges our limited awareness of our own flaws and weaknesses. It humbly asks God for forgiveness regarding our unknown or unintentional sins, recognizing that only He can reveal the areas in which we fall short.
We need to regularly seek God’s forgiveness and cleansing, not only for the sins we are aware of but also for the ones hidden from our consciousness. It demonstrates our desire for continual growth in holiness and our reliance on God’s grace and guidance.
1 John 3:3
“All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”
The hope of Christ’s return and the promise of eternal life motivate believers to purify themselves. This purification involves aligning our lives with the purity and holiness of Jesus Christ himself.
As we fix our eyes on the perfect example of Christ’s purity, we are compelled to examine our thoughts, motives, and actions, purging anything that contradicts His character. This ongoing process of purification reflects our faith in Him and our desire to become more like Him.
Psalm 51:2
“Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
In this heartfelt plea for cleansing, David acknowledges his need for God’s forgiveness and urges God to wash away his sins. He understands that only divine cleansing can remove the guilt and stain of his transgressions.
Like David, we must come before God with humility, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His cleansing. It is through His mercy and grace that we find forgiveness and restoration.
Psalm 119:9
“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”
This verse highlights the importance of immersing ourselves in God’s Word to maintain a life of purity. By adhering to His commands, principles, and teachings, we are able to navigate life’s challenges and remain steadfast on the path of holiness.
The written Word of God acts as a spiritual compass, guiding us away from impurity and towards a life that pleases God. Regular study and application of Scripture help us to discern and make wise choices that lead to personal and spiritual purity.
Proverbs 30:5
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
This verse affirms that God’s Word is perfect and without error. Therefore, we can fully trust it as a source of guidance, wisdom, and truth in our pursuit of purity.
When we seek refuge in God and His Word, we find protection and strength to resist the allure of sin and unclean influences. The flawless nature of God’s Word serves as a shield to guard our hearts and minds, enabling us to live pure and upright lives.
Hebrews 10:22
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”
This verse encourages believers to approach God with sincerity and confidence, knowing that He is ready to cleanse us from guilt and impurity. It references the Old Testament practice of sprinkling the blood of sacrifices for purification.
Through faith in Christ, our hearts are sprinkled with the blood of the perfect sacrifice, bringing us forgiveness and cleansing from the guilt of sin. The washing with pure water symbolizes the spiritual purification we experience when we come into a relationship with Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:7
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”
In this verse, we are reminded of our calling as Christians to live a life of holiness and purity. God has set us apart from the impurity of the world, inviting us to participate in His divine nature and reflect His holiness outwardly.
Living a holy life requires intentional choices and consistent transformation. It means avoiding behaviors and mindsets that are contrary to God’s standards and actively pursuing righteousness and purity in all areas of life.
1 John 3:1-3
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”
This passage highlights the incredible love of the Father, who calls us His children and bestows His grace upon us. As children of God, we are called to live in a way that reflects our heavenly Father’s nature and holiness.
Our hope in Christ’s return compels us to purify ourselves, conforming to the image of Christ who is perfect and pure. The anticipation of seeing Him face to face motivates us to actively pursue holiness in anticipation of that glorious day.
Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, declares the blessedness of those who are pure in heart. This purity of heart refers to a genuine sincerity and integrity of character that stems from a surrendered life to God.
Those who cultivate purity of heart can expect to enjoy intimate communion with God and encounter His presence in a profound way. A pure heart opens the door to a deeper understanding of God’s nature and a greater experience of His love and blessings.
2 Chronicles 30:18-20
“Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, ‘May the Lord, who is good, pardon all who have set their hearts on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.’ And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.”
This passage recounts a specific incident during the reign of Hezekiah where many people had not properly purified themselves before participating in the Passover feast. However, Hezekiah interceded on their behalf, recognizing the sincerity of their hearts in seeking God.
This story reveals the graciousness of God, who responds to genuine seekers even when they fall short of legalistic requirements. It demonstrates that God values the condition of our hearts over religious rituals or external appearances.
Colossians 2:11-12
“In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.”
This passage uses the imagery of circumcision and baptism to illustrate our spiritual transformation in Christ. Circumcision, a physical ritual in the Old Testament, is compared to a spiritual circumcision performed by Christ when we surrender our lives to Him.
Through faith, we are buried with Christ and raised to new life in the symbolic act of baptism. This spiritual renewal signifies our identification with Christ and the purification of our old, sinful nature. We are no longer controlled by the flesh, but rather empowered to live a life of holiness by the working of God’s Spirit within us.