THE HOLY INCENTIVE OF GOD'S PROMISES -- Tomorrow:
"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation." (2 Cor 7:1-4)
Devotion 9 of 27
" . . . let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. . . "
OF THE FLESH
The filthiness of the "flesh" is contamination that has worked itself out in deeds, or action. It is when Achan TOOK a golden wedge, a garment, and some pieces of silver from Jericho (Josh 7:21). It is when David committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11:4). It is when Ananias and Saphirra conspired to lie to the Holy Spirit about what they were giving to the Lord's cause (Acts 5:1-8). It is when Demas forsakes the work of the Lord because of a love for "this present world" (2 Tim 4:10).
This is what James referred to as "the superfluity of naughtiness" (James 1:21). "Superfluity" is an "overflow" (NKJV) of sin – when what is inside boils over into outward deeds. It is the outgrowth of sin, which begins as a seed within, and finally sprouts and blooms into outward expressions: words, and/or deeds.
And what is to be done with these bodily, or fleshly, expressions? We are to "cleanse ourselves" from them ALL! Thus, we are solemnly admonished: "But now ye also PUT OFF all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds" (Col 3:8-9). All of these are outward expressions, and they are to be abruptly halted among God's people.
We are told to "put away lying" (Eph 4:22), and all "clamor, and evil speaking" (Eph 4:31). "Fornication," "foolish talking" and "jesting, which are not convenient," are not to be named a single time among us: "let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints" (Eph 5:3-4). Peter reminds us that "all . . . hypocrisies and evil speakings" are to be laid aside (1 Pet 2:1).
None of us are to be simple in this matter. The expression of sin is strictly forbidden among those who are in Christ Jesus. When such expressions occur, they are to be "put off," "put away," and "cleansed." We are not seeking to merely correct human behavior, but to eliminate "all filthiness" of "the flesh." No honest person is ready to admit that he is beyond the need for this. This is an ongoing work, and we will not be finished with it until we are at last "absent from the body." As long as we are "in the body" (Heb 13:3), we are solemnly charged to keep it clean, not allowing sin to erupt through its members. There is grace to do this, and it will surely be given "in the time of need" – when we diligently seek to appropriate it (Heb 4:16).
OF SPIRIT
"Filthiness of the spirit" is inward contamination. If defilement is not cleansed within, it will eventually express itself outwardly. Jesus told the Pharisees that this was the secret to being clean without – to first cleanse what is within. "Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse FIRST that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also" (Matt 23:26). This is also equivalent to making the tree good, so that good fruit may result: "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit" (Matt 12:33). James referred to it as purifying the heart: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and PURIFY YOUR HEARTS, ye double minded" (James 4:8).
There are inward defilements that must be addressed and cleansed. Considerable is said concerning this matter. "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger . . . be put away from you, with all malice" (Eph 4:31). And again, "But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice . . . " (Col 3:8). "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth . . . inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Col 3:5). And again, "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Heb 3:12). And again, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled" (Heb 12:15).
These are all inward contaminants, and have the potential of causing enslavement to sin, and the eventual fall into an irretrievable state. It must ever be remembered that all sin has the potential of bringing us into a state from which we cannot recover. That is precisely why the solemn warning of Hebrews 6:1-8 is issued.
In summary, all "filthiness of spirit" comes under the heading of carnal mindedness, or the mind of the flesh. It is said of such a mind, "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom 8:6-7). For this reason, all manner of lusts, or unlawful desires, are resident in such a mind, which readily receives and nurtures them. Such things are to be "mortified," or put to death in the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:13). The reason for this mandate is not simply that they are wrong – although they surely are precisely that. However, these inward contaminates have a separating effect, driving a wedge between man and God, shutting off heavenly resources, and opening the floodgates to things that exclude people from the kingdom of heaven.
This is not intended to produce fleshly fear, so that the individual lives more in dread of falling away than of in anticipation of the coming of the Lord. Rather, this is intended to produce sobriety and alertness among believers, so that Satan does not catch them unawares, subverting them.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus I thank You that salvation brings the power to cleanse ourselves of all filthiness – both of the flesh and of the spirit.