Keeping our bodies clean isn’t just physical; it’s spiritual too. Today, we’ll explore what the Bible says about purity and honoring God with our bodies.
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What Does The Bible Say About Clean Bodies
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, as God is holy. Keeping our bodies clean and pure is an expression of our reverence for God.
Psalms 24:3-4
“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart.”
Having clean hands and a pure heart allows us to approach the presence of the Lord. Regularly purifying ourselves physically and spiritually helps us maintain a close relationship with God.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”
As believers, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Keeping our bodies clean and honoring God with our physical choices is essential to maintain the sanctity of His dwelling place within us.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
This verse reminds us that our bodies belong to God because He bought us with the precious blood of Jesus. Thus, we should strive to honor God by glorifying Him in how we treat and maintain our physical bodies.
Romans 12:1
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
Offering our bodies as living sacrifices to God involves presenting ourselves clean and pure to Him, recognizing that our physical bodies are an integral part of our spiritual worship.
1 Timothy 4:12
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
As believers, we are encouraged to set an example in purity by maintaining clean bodies, not only in our actions but also in our speech, conduct, love, and faith.
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.”
To draw closer to God, we must cleanse our hands from sinful actions and purify our hearts from any double-mindedness. Pursuing cleanliness in both our actions and thoughts allows us to experience a deeper connection with God.
2 Corinthians 7:1
“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”
Being recipients of God’s promises, we are called to purify ourselves from any defilement, both physically and spiritually. This process of cleansing leads us to holiness as we live in reverence for God.
1 Peter 3:3-4
“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”
This verse highlights the importance of prioritizing inner beauty over external adornment. While cleanliness in physical appearance is important, cultivating a gentle and quiet spirit is even more precious in the sight of God.
Colossians 3:5
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
To maintain clean bodies, we must put to death any earthly desires or sinful behaviors that are contrary to the holiness God desires for His people.
Proverbs 20:11
“Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.”
Even children can display purity and uprightness through their actions. Cleanliness of both body and conduct is a reflection of godly character regardless of age.
John 13:10
“Jesus said to him, ‘The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.’
Jesus used the analogy of physical cleanliness to teach His disciples about spiritual cleanliness. Once we are cleansed by Christ, maintaining cleanliness requires regularly removing any dirt or filth that may accumulate along the journey of life.
2 Timothy 2:21
“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”
By purging ourselves from anything dishonorable, we become vessels ready for honorable use, set apart as holy, and prepared to fulfill the purposes God has for us.
Ephesians 5:26
“…that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.”
The Word of God acts as a cleansing agent in our lives, purifying and sanctifying us. Regularly immersing ourselves in Scripture helps maintain clean bodies and a renewed spiritual state.
Proverbs 16:2
“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.”
Though we may perceive our outward actions as clean, the Lord examines the purity of our hearts and motives. It is crucial to maintain clean bodies not only through external actions but also through a pure spirit.
Mark 7:20-23
“And he said, ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.'”
Jesus teaches that it is the impurity that originates from within, from the heart, that defiles a person. Our actions and choices must stem from a clean heart, fueled by God’s Spirit, to maintain purity in our bodies.
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Confessing our sins to God invites His forgiveness and cleansing power into our lives, restoring our purity and purifying us from all unrighteousness.
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
King David’s prayer reflects the desire for God to cleanse our hearts and renew our spirits, enabling us to maintain cleanliness of body and soul.
2 Peter 1:9
“For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.”
Forgetting that we have been cleansed from our past sins can lead to spiritual nearsightedness, hindering us from maintaining the qualities of cleanliness and purity that God desires for His children.
Matthew 23:25-26
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First, clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.”
Jesus rebukes the religious leaders of His time for prioritizing external cleanliness without addressing the impurity within. He teaches that internal cleanliness is essential, as it reflects outwardly in our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
Psalm 119:9
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”
God’s Word serves as a guide and guard for our lives, leading us in paths of purity and helping us maintain cleanliness in our thoughts, words, and actions.
Titus 1:15
“To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.”
Those who are pure in heart and mind are more likely to perceive and uphold purity in all aspects of life. A clean body is intrinsically linked to a pure mind and a heart set on pleasing God.
1 John 3:3
“And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”
As we place our hope in Christ, we strive to purify ourselves, following His example of purity. Cleansing our bodies becomes an outworking of the hope and transformation found in Christ.
Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Those who maintain purity in their hearts are promised the blessing of beholding the presence of God. Maintaining clean bodies and hearts enables us to experience a deeper, uncluttered intimacy with our Creator.
1 John 5:18
“We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.”
Being born again through Christ ensures that we no longer have to be slaves to sin. God’s presence protects us as we strive to maintain clean bodies, shielding us from the influence of the evil one.