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“"Deal With It All -- Not Just One Aspect"”

Thoughts for Today:

In our passage today, Paul speaks of the contamination of the body and spirit. So how are these different?

The contamination of the body are those sins we commit physically. For example, adultery, unrestrained eating (gluttony), drunkenness, debauchery, dishonesty, extravagance, etc. It would include any appetite we have for anything that is out of control. These are the sins of the body or flesh. We also need to be aware, in many ways, our society encourages these sins.

On the other hand, the contamination of the spirit includes the sins of gossip, vanity, pride, conceit, laziness, cynicism, covetousness, and unbelief. On the outside we might appear presentable, but the inside may be quite a different thing. What about the grudges we hold, or the anger that is ready to erupt? These are sins of the spirit.

Paul tells us to purify ourselves from EVERYTHING that contaminates our bodies or our spirits. In other words -- deal with it all, not just one aspect. The author of Hebrews said it this way (Hebrews 12:12-14): "Strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."

Questions to Ponder:

Jesus Christ is the perfector of our faith. He is perfect holiness. So if Christ's already done the work, why should we be concerned with how the world might contaminate our body and spirit? Paul gives us the reason -- out of reverence for God. Because He is holy, we choose to walk in His path of holiness and righteousness. Never without mistake, but always with the intent to yield to His will. What choice will you make today? In our own doing and strength we will never be holy. We just need to try, and when we do so, God is honored.

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.