Contamination. Daily Devotional, March 8th, 2010

Daily Bible Reading: Exodus 19, Luke 22, Job 37, 2 Corinthians 7

I recently made a commitment to get rid of some things in my life. They weren’t sinful things, just things that I felt could be replaced with something more fruitful. I decided to replace a little TV with things that would edify my soul, like a good podcast or extra Bible reading time. Or replace some sleep in the morning with more time in prayer. I began telling my husband that I began to notice wrong attitudes, thoughts and motivations inside myself more than ever before. They were sticking out like a sore thumb!

I prayed about it and asked God, "Why if I am drawing closer to you, do I notice MORE wrong thoughts and attitudes than before?" I felt Him gently teach me that those things were always there before but I was comfortable with them. As I begin to seek Him more, the contrast between His holiness and my wrong attitudes or thoughts are much more apparent.

2 Corinthians 7:1
"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."

There are things that can contaminate our body and spirit! The word contaminate means:
1. To soil, stain, corrupt, or infect by contact or association.
2. To make inferior or impure by admixture.
3. To make unfit for use by the introduction of unwholesome or undesirable elements.

The things we contact or associate with can contaminate our spirits! They can make our spirits inferior, impure and unfit for use! The thoughts we entertain rather than take captive can begin to infect our spirits. James 4:8 says "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." God is Holy and Holiness cannot mix with Sin, it is like trying to mix oil and water. If we want to become closer to God we can expect to become uncomfortable with things we were once comfortable with.

Many times we pray or sing "I want more of you, Lord" but we fail to make room for more of Him to abide in us. We expect more water but still leave our cup full of oil! If we could grasp this scripture and purify ourselves from everything that contaminates our body and spirit, imagine the intimacy, power and presence of God that would be available to us! I don’t know about you, but I am ready to allow God to take every contaminate out of me and replace it with more of Him!

Mel