The Joy Of Cleansing

Computers run the risk of being infected with a virus

To combat this we use an anti-virus program to search out, find and remove computer viruses.

Just like a computer the Christian runs the risk of being infected with a virus in our souls.

Computer viruses spread beyond the initial infected area until the whole system is infected.

Computer viruses slow down performance and ability (same with us)

Sometimes computers have a virus and we aren’t even aware of it.

The internal memory of a computer is like the sub-conscious mind

The random memory is like our thought life.

We also know that computers need to be plugged into a power source.

But even being plugged in its still possible to get a virus.

The first step in an anti-virus program is to search for an infection.

Psalm 139:23

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:(KJV)

God will reveal things in your heart that are infecting your life, making you unhappy, depressed, and lethargic.

It’s not God’s intent for you just to life with the virus.

What is the virus----------SIN

You might say I don’t really have any sin in my life.

Romans 14:23 says anything that is not from faith is sin

How about these things?

Refined & Tolerated Sins

Wrong motives

Bad or wrong attitudes----this is a huge area

Wrongly formed opinions

Self-centeredness

Gossip

Judgmental spirit

Not operating in love

Fear

Doubt

Complacency

Impatience

Easily annoyed

Worry

With every sin, unless dealt with, comes an ill effect as a result.

The more things that are not dealt with the greater the ill effect.

As we walk through this life we hardly notice it at first but are gradually more and more infected.

How are we to deal with this problem?

Some things we are aware of------ and through prayer God will make revelation of things not pleasing to Him. ((Our anti-virus program)

A great clue is what other people observe in you.

We allow the Godly sorrow, which produces a repentant heart---never to be regretted ---2 Corinthians 7:10

1 John 1:8-9

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.(NKJV)

In not dealing with sin issues we only deceive ourselves.

Our responsibility is confession and repentance.

Then a two-fold thing happens---sins forgiven and we are cleansed from all unrighteousness.

In the confession and repentance there is a relief.

In the cleansing there is a return of joy.

The bible refers to the process of sanctification in the believer.

There is an initial work of sanctification when regeneration occurs but also a continual process throughout our lives.

The term sanctification means both to set apart and to cleanse.

How are we initially sanctified?

Titus 3:5

not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,(NKJV)

Washing has always carried the meaning of cleansing.

But also through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit we are also made spiritually alive.

We are cleansed from the guilt and negative influences of the sin but also from the habits and power of sin.

Even though there is an initial work of sanctification in the new believer the sanctification process is not complete.

Cleansing removes all the heart stains and defilement brought about by acts of past sins.

This initial cleansing is not to be confused with entire sanctification.

Sin is a two-fold condition----an act and a condition

A new Christian may be humbled when receiving the Lord but not entirely.

Some pride may still exist ----therefore continued sanctification is required.

There is a perfection that is initial.

A perfection that is progressive.

A perfection that is final----glorification

1 Corinthians 6:11

And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.(NKJV)

We were washed clean and purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin

We were sanctified and set apart.

And also justified pronounced righteous by trusting in Jesus Christ.

Although we are renewed, cleansed, purified, sanctified the moment we truly believe in Christ we are still in a battle.

1 Peter 2:11

Beloved, I implore you as aliens and strangers and exiles [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges (the evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature) that wage war against the soul.(AMP)

As we allow these things entry in our soul we suffer the consequences.

Our relationship with God suffers and we experience the ill effects of unrighteousness.

Sin doesn’t make you happier----because there are ill effect to it.

You are actually forfeiting the full provision of the abundant life when you hold on to it.

Sanctification is a process, which can only be complete by the Holy Spirit.

Yet we play an active role in the process through our willingness and submission.

Let me make a suggestion about your home.

Dedicate your home to God and ask Him how you can make it more pleasing to Him.

Destroy every item that has the slightest association with idolatry

Including images, jewelry, art, charms, books and objects that solicit fear or demand reverence of anything besides God.

All games dealing with the occult should be destroyed, especially dungeons and dragons and Ouija boards-------Check out your computer games.

If you can’t overcome your desire to watch TV trash get rid of your TV

Check out what type of music you have in your house. What type of evil influence empowers that particular performer?

Get rid of books containing false teachings such as humanism, evolution or teachings on the occult.

Check out what pictures or statues you have in your house.

Then ask for God’s blessing on each member of your household and with each relationship.

Forgiveness and cleansing are both through the blood of Jesus.

The blood breaks the power that sin has to condemn us.

The blood of Christ also purifies our conscience according to Hebrews 9:14

Since Jesus came to give the abundant life ----lets life it.

I don’t want to be stubborn or resistant to what God wants to change.

It’s ultimately for your benefit.

The more Christ like, holy life is the happier more fulfilled life.

It’s the more peaceful and joyful life.

It’s also the more productive life

Romans 8:13

For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever.(AMP)

We allow it and the power of the Holy Spirit accomplishes it

This is your only real alternative.

Allow the Holy Spirit to continue that what was begun in you.

Satan will try to distract you from this.

On a computer you can experience pop-ups trying to take your attention.

Ask the Holy Spirit to be your pop-up blocker

Let’s revisit this list of refined & tolerated

Sometimes we just tolerate these things rather than asking to be free of them

We may call them respectable sins

God doesn’t require a perfect, sinless life.

But He does require that we grieve over sin, and when identified, deal with it and pursue holiness as a way of life.