Walking By Faith | Overcoming Defilement Requires Spiritual and Moral Integrity

"The same God that forgives sin also cleanses from it. Not less than forgiveness is cleansing a promise of God, and therefore a matter of faith." - Andrew Murray (1828-1917)

Reading through the New Testament, it becomes quite evident that the Pharisees and scribes were not big fans of Jesus! In fact, they wrangled on many occasions over various things. 

In short, Jesus's disapproval of the Pharisees revolved around their hypocrisy, exaggeration, and distortion. He also condemns the Pharisees and scribes as hypocrites and destined for the eternal punishment of Hell (Matthew 23:13–36).

Even so, Jesus was partially in agreement with the Pharisees of his day, but barely. For the issues he had with them involved the will of God (Matthew 23:1-4). This was the point where their their approach to religious practice clashed.

As there were many instances of Jesus rebuking the Pharisees and scribes, we can afford to pick one topic and examine it here today. What seems to garner plenty of interest is the subject of defilement, as it applies to Scripture.

Defilement, as is noted there, indicates the state of uncleanliness particularly in a moral or spiritual sense. Genuine and honest defilement, as taught in Scripture, exceeds physical  uncleanliness.

Instead, it centers on whether your heart is in the right place or not, and one's moral behavior or character. After all, it is the heart that is integral to a person's being; representing our personality, emotions, intellect, and spirituality.

Both, the Old and New Testaments have their own views of defilement as it pertains to their teachings. As laws played a major role in religion in the OT, defilement would be included. For instance, we often see it connected to ceremonial uncleanliness (Leviticus 11-15).

These laws identified Israel as a holy nation, and instructed the people on the holiness that was required by God. The prophets, however, commenced to point out that true defilement was not exclusively external but internal; based on sin and rebellion against God. (Isaiah 1:16-17).

Clarification on the concept of defilement is given by Jesus Christ in the NT. He teaches that the inner state is not determined by external factors. Rather, it is what originates from within oneself (Mark 7:14-23). This teaching changes the emphasis from what is outwardly visible to the inner workings of the heart (Mark 7:21-23).

The apostles assumed this teaching, further underscoring that defilement has to do with the heart and spirit (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). From what we have seen, real defilement is not about a state of ceremonial cleanliness suggested by a religion to make a person ready for worship.

The OT laws pertaining to ceremonial defilement served to bring attention to the holiness of God, and the need for untaintedness. The Gospel in the NT shares that true cleanliness involves the inner heart, which can only be attained though faith, and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Thus, the ceremonial elements of the law are still satisfied through Christ who offers a deeper, spiritual cleansing than any of the external ceremonies in OT law. We, as believers, are urged to live lives that manifest or exhibit the holiness of God; shunning behaviors that pervert and defile the heart (James 1:27). 

Scripture: Psalm 51:10; Proverbs 20:9; Ezekiel 36:25; Matthew 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:7

Prayer: "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."   - James 4:8     

Sincerely with the Grace of God,

Sloane