Letter From the Editor’s Desk: Holiness and Cleanliness – Identifies God’s Children

Hello ePrayer Circle Tribe?

As I sip my coffee and reflect on my Bible readings, the theme of “cleanliness” seems to be a recurring subject. Throughout the week, I have noticed many everyday people in public who seemed unclean to me, which really bothered me.

Normally, I don’t pay much attention to people’s appearances in public, but then the Holy Spirit reminded me of the teachings on cleanliness.

I recalled the scriptures I had been reading, and it struck me that someone might be well-dressed yet have an unclean spirit or unholy spirit following them if they do not bathe regularly and fail to repent in their prayers. Repentance is essential for cleanliness. 

This uncleaniness gives people a different way of thinking and a different appearance not in accordance to God’s laws. 

According to the scriptures, washing is commanded by God because cleanliness in the Bible is associated with “holiness.” God required physical cleanliness, such as washing clothes and bathing, as a sign of sanctification and preparation before coming into His holy presence.

If there are doors of unrepentance left open, unclean spirits can enter or follow, making a person’s appearance seem unclean or unholy.

The same applies to not keeping clean surroundings or washing when entering into holy places, such as church or during prayer time at home. Today, I want to discuss the importance of cleanliness and the various ways we can become unclean, block our blessings, and give unclean spirits and curses legal rights in our lives. Let’s talk about it.

1 John 5:7-8 (KJV): “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.”

The only way to remove uncleanness and spiritual attacks from ourselves and our children is to be covered by the blood of Jesus through the forgiveness of sins. To stay covered is to live a holy life in obedience to God’s laws.

When running errands, I remembered scriptures that emphasize the importance of being mindful of our actions and how they might affect others, especially those who are weaker in faith. The underlying principle is to act in love and consideration, avoiding anything that might cause another believer to stumble or fall into sin.

Romans 14:13 (KJV): “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” 1 Corinthians 8:13 (KJV): “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”

The Bible advocates for women to dress modestly and focus on inner beauty and godliness. These principles serve as a guide for women to reflect their faith and character through their appearance and behavior in public.

Many countries do not approve of the dress styles of women in the West. Trends and fads have moved away from holiness. As God’s word instructs us not to make anyone stumble into temptation, it’s important to consider the impact of our clothing.

In some places, a woman dressing immodestly might be seen as disrespectful or even dangerous. 1 Timothy 2:9-10 (KJV): “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety.”  This scripture emphasizes the importance of inner beauty, such as a meek and quiet spirit, over outward adornments.

The prevalence of immodest dress is linked to societal issues such as rape, broken homes, people on state assistance, and breakdown of  the future generational family unit. The old saying, “Why buy the cow when the milk is free?” still holds. My mother use to say, “leave something to the imagination”. Entertainers are different, they are not our role models and it is apparent as more and more are confessing unholy covenants and agreements. 

Mothers and daughters often dress similarly, disregarding the consequences of immodesty, which can lead to temptation and moral decline. Even in church, there’s little effort to encourage appropriate dress, which invites unclean spirits of temptation, fornication, and adultery.

 

Matthew 15:18-20 (KJV): “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.”

The Bible says that unwashed hands do not defile a person spiritually, but what comes out of the mouth does. Therefore, the words we speak can make us unholy and unclean.  We know that colds and flu viruses spread easily when people do not wash their hands. Once you are contagious, you are considered biblically unclean as the Lepers who were exiled. Jesus healed many Lepers.

This uncleanness attracts sickness that can affect others, promoting death. God does not wish for us to be ill and die prematurely.

Current Situation: The H5N1 virus, primarily found in poultry, has now been detected in dairy cows across multiple states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are actively working to contain the outbreak. This includes testing, monitoring, and tracing the virus in both animals and humans. As of now, there have been a few isolated human cases, but no sustained human-to-human transmission has been recorded​ (CDC)​​ (POLITICO)​.

 

1 Peter 1:16 KJV  “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

 

Acts 10:15 (KJV): “And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”

It is important to pray over our food as there are rumors that the bird flu or other diseases have been found and are being contained. However, praying over our food and washing it in preparation will spiritually and physically clean it so that it does not harm us.

The same as praying with repentance will spiritually cover us in the blood of Jesus and protect us from evil attacks, whether they have a legal right to be there or not. Father, forgive us for our sins known and unknown. Give us the grace to do better. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I read an article about a little boy who lost his legs and arms because he slid down a hill, cut himself, and was bitten by a bug. Three days later, he was taken to the hospital. The doctor said that the infection had set in and spread, and if he had bathed in soap and water,

it would have washed away what had fed the infection. Therefore, we must wash ourselves  and children regulary to avoid various viruses that cannot survive washings to avoid further complications.

The Bible warns against infections and tells the people to wash. In ancient times, they did not have the modern bathrooms we have today, so washing was more complicated. Today, we are blessed with these conveniences and need to use them more, as something is clearly in the air coming our way.

Even Ray Charles can see it. Exodus 19:10-11 (KJV): “And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes,

And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.” Leviticus 15:13 (KJV): “And when he that hath an issue (infections or discharges or menstruals) is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.”

In conclusion, the Bible teaches that cleanliness is not just about outward appearance but also about the condition of our hearts and spirits. Repentance and holiness are essential to maintaining spiritual and physical cleanliness and in protecting ourselves from unclean influences.

By understanding and practicing these principles, we can ensure that we are not only outwardly clean but also spiritually pure, blocking any hindrance to our blessings and keeping unclean spirits at bay.

Embracing a life of repentance and holiness allows us to live fully in the grace and protection of Jesus Christ. Let’s commit to living a clean and holy life, both physically and spiritually, to honor God and safeguard our well-being.

 

May Our Living Hope Find You Faithful,