How can we apply the principle of "unclean" in our modern context? Setting the Scene 2 Corinthians 6:17 declares, “Therefore, ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.’” Though spoken to Corinthian believers, the call remains clear: God wants His people to discern and refuse whatever He labels “unclean,” so fellowship with Him stays unhindered. Understanding “Unclean” in Scripture • Old-Covenant backdrop: Leviticus 11:47 — “You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean…” • Purpose: protect Israel physically, spiritually, and typologically until Messiah came (Galatians 3:24). • New-Covenant continuity: physical food laws fade (Mark 7:18-19; Acts 10:15), yet the moral principle—separation from anything that defiles—remains (1 Peter 1:15-16; Isaiah 52:11). Transitioning from Ceremonial to Moral Purity • The cross fulfilled the shadow; the substance remains holiness. • “Unclean” now points to anything that: – Pollutes heart, mind, or body (James 1:27). – Hinders worship or witness (Romans 12:1-2). – Contradicts God’s character (Ephesians 5:3-4). Practical Ways to Apply “Unclean” Today • Entertainment filter – Evaluate movies, music, media: Does it celebrate sin or numb me to it? (Psalm 101:3). • Moral purity – Refuse pornography, sexual immorality, crude humor (Ephesians 5:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5). • Speech check – Reject gossip, slander, profanity (Colossians 4:6). • Stewardship of the body – Avoid substances and habits that enslave or harm (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). • Relationships – Maintain close fellowship only with those who encourage obedience (Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 15:33). • Spiritual influences – Steer clear of occult, false teaching, syncretism (1 John 4:1; Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Guarding Our Hearts and Minds • Proverbs 4:23: “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” • Daily disciplines: – Scripture intake and meditation. – Prompt confession when defilement occurs (1 John 1:9). – Memorize key “purity passages” (Psalm 119:9, 11). Living as Set-Apart in a Contaminated World • Separation is not isolation. Jesus ate with sinners yet remained sinless (Luke 5:30-32). • The goal: be “blameless and pure… shining as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). • The indwelling Spirit empowers practical holiness (Galatians 5:16-25). Encouragement to Continue in Purity • God’s reception and fellowship are promised when we refuse the unclean (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). • Holiness offers freedom, not bondage (John 8:36). • “The one who is holy, let him continue to be holy” (Revelation 22:11). |
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