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How do we deal with sin’s impurities?

I have a physical issue with an enlarged prostrate, and the other day, at the age of 73, I had a bad episode dealing with this ailment.

(I warn the reader that I will modestly relate the basic facts of what I went through.)

— Long story / short, while dealing with a bout of the flu, I suffered an inability to pass urine out of my body, and my bladder became painfully and dangerously full, with no way of emptying. While my wife and I were still praying for delivery from this condition, I reluctantly decided to go to the emergency ward of our little town. I was very impressed with the efficient and professional care I received there. Within 45 minutes after arrival, I was delivered from the real pain and danger of an overloaded bladder by their expertise and knowledge, and I became aware of how wonderful the careers they have chosen are. For their work is all about reaching out to help others through times of pain and suffering. What an admirable calling!

— I received a catheter inserted right into my bladder to unblock the restriction of my urethra. The relief from pain was immediate, as the fluid drained into a clear bag collector.

— I am always fascinated by the mechanics of things, so I was very interested in this whole procedure. As the toxins in the fluid drained from my bladder, it was obvious the nurse had intervened at a crucial time to save me from great pain and further real damage to my health. I made sure to thank both the nurse and doctor, and I hope it encouraged their day.

I want to expand on a spiritual factor that God revealed to me from out of this physical issue. For after all was done and I was at home recovering, thanking God for giving men and women in our modern medical institutions, the ability to gain the knowledge to intervene and alleviate this pain. I was also impressed by the way our body is designed to eliminate impurities from our systems. The amount and color of what was collected opened my eyes to something we all tend to take for granted. — Our bodies need to filter out and get rid of toxins which come from everyday living.

— I was led to Psalm 1… where God reminded me that we must also reject sin and worldly impurity from our spiritual lives.  

Psalm 1:1-3 (GNB) Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God.  (2)  Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the LORD, and they study it day and night.  (3)  They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do.

Three fleshly impurities that contaminate and damage us spiritually are listed here:

1/ The advice of evil people…

– This includes personal contacts that we may hold in high regard, be careful of how much you rely on the advice of others whom you know are not following Christ.

– Be careful of ideas and advice we may find on TV or social media. When people we admire espouse a certain perspective, we need to run all they are saying through a Bible filter. Does it agree with the teaching of Jesus? 

2/ Following the example of sinners – Some examples that come to mind are…

– ‘Party animals’ those who live only to party on and have a good time. God asks us to be much more serious about where our life and the lives of others are leading…

– Political movements that contradict what is written in God’s Life Manual for us (The Bible)…

– This may even cause us to re-evaluate our relationships with others, and even organizations that encourage us to act against what God teaches. As God’s people must be held up to be true and honorable…

– Popular figures in sports or entertainment. Just because they’ve become famous, it doesn’t make everything they do or say good for us to copy or repeat.

3/ Close fellowship with those that have no use for God…

– As we interact and associate with the world around us, we don’t need to shun those who choose to deny there is a God, for we should desire to show them the fatal error of such thinking. Instead, we want to be a light revealing the truth of God in our lives.

– However, if we are met with hostile-to-God interactions time and again, perhaps it is time to step back, pray, and wait for God to bring them to a time when they will be more open to hearing about a loving Creator God.

— These warnings will help filter out spiritual toxins, so our spiritual health will be maintained, and we will be made resistant to infections of evil becoming part of our thoughts and actions.

A remedy is found in Psalm 1:2-3 as it gives us both direction and blessings… (2) Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the LORD, and they study it day and night. (3) They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do.

— (Vs.2) Here we are directed to find joy in God’s Word (The scriptures), and if this is missing, you need to take that up with the Lord in prayer. For His Holy Spirit is able to give you a new outlook on the counsel from God’s Word.

– When the Holy Spirt reveals the wonder of God’s Word to you, it becomes a joy to study the Bible.

— (Vs.3) Promises us stability of faith, for trees that grow by a stream have roots which run deep and are able to reach life sustaining waters, so in dry times of stress and trial, these trees are able to survive and even flourish.

— When we have God’s Holy Spirit refreshing us in times of trouble, He will help us to bear fruit to encourage, strengthen, and heal those around us. – Is that not true success in life?

So how do we deal with sin’s impurities?

1st John 1:5-9  Now the message that we have heard from his Son and announce is this: God is light, and there is no darkness at all in him. (6) If, then, we say that we have fellowship with him, yet at the same time live in the darkness, we are lying both in our words and in our actions. (7) But if we live in the light—just as he is in the light—then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin. (8) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. (9) But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing.

— If we acknowledge our sins, turning away from them, and ask Jesus to forgive (cleanse) us through his loving sacrifice. He takes away our sin and makes us pure again. – Jesus is the remedy. – (KRK)