CLEANSE YOURSELF

2 Corinthians 7:1 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.

I was praying one morning this week, and I asked God to cleanse me of some issues that I was experiencing, and I heard in my spirit, “You have to cleanse yourself.” Then the above scripture came back to my mind. I also said,” Why can’t God do my cleansing?” and again I heard in my spirit, “For Him to do it, you would have to die if you want to live here on earth the cleansing is up to you.”

This experience made me go back and rehearse to myself some important facts I know and understand concerning warfare. The main thing is that God has given believers the power to cast out evil spirits (Mark 16:17) and to pull down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). He gave man dominion from the beginning, and He is not going to take over my responsibility (Genesis 1:26).

The word cleanse in the Greek means to purge or purify. Our English dictionaries define cleanse as ridding something unpleasant, unwanted, or defile. For me, this cleansing represents cutting some distractions off. It means that I cannot take pleasure in the sinful acts of others (Romans 1:31), and I must continually pray and ask God to help me to love what He loves and hate what He hates.

Also, 2 Corinthians 7:1 states that filthiness can be found in our flesh and spirit. In a previous blog (HANDLING DEMONIC ENCOUNTERS – 3/29/14), I shared a list of demonic spirits that believers encounter and the numerous works of the flesh can be found in the scriptures from Acts through Revelation. I must war against these evil spirits and works in my life, so that I may be pleasing to God who will judge my actions and rend to me according to my deeds (Romans 2:1-11). I cannot be lazy or complacent for this is the enemy’s desire for my life, rather I must be sober and vigilant.

As I strive to do better in my spiritual walk with God this year, I pray you will also do the same. We are in this war together, and I declare with God’s continued direction and our submission to it, WE WILL WIN.