How can we identify and remove impurities in our spiritual lives? God’s Refinery: The Image of Ezekiel 22:18 “Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me; all of them are bronze, tin, iron, and lead inside the furnace; they are the dross of silver.” • Dross is the worthless scum that floats to the top when metal is melted. • The verse says God sees every hidden impurity—nothing escapes His furnace. Recognizing the Dross in Us • Sinful habits that have become “normal” (Proverbs 17:3; James 1:21). • Secret thoughts and motives—envy, pride, unforgiveness (Psalm 139:23-24). • Compromise with the world’s values (2 Corinthians 7:1). • Religious activity without genuine devotion (Malachi 3:2-3). Inviting the Refiner’s Inspection • Ask: “Search me, O God” (Psalm 139:23-24). • Compare every attitude and choice with the clear teaching of Scripture (Hebrews 12:1). • Allow trusted believers to speak honest truth into your life (Proverbs 27:6). • Stay sensitive to the Spirit’s conviction; never brush it off (John 16:8). Cooperating with the Heat • Trials are the furnace God uses to reveal and remove alloys of self-reliance (1 Peter 1:6-7; Psalm 66:10). • Discipline is proof of His fatherly love, not rejection (Hebrews 12:10-11). • Instead of fleeing discomfort, ask what impurity the Lord is exposing. Daily Practices that Skim Off Impurities • Confession: “If we confess our sins…” (1 John 1:9). • Cleansing by the Word: regular, slow reading that lets Scripture wash the mind (Ephesians 5:26). • Repentance in action: remove sources of temptation, make restitution, change routines (James 1:21). • Worship and gratitude: keep the heart soft so dross can’t resettle (Psalm 95:1-7). • Serve others: purity grows as self-centeredness shrinks (Titus 2:14). The Joy of a Purified Life • Freedom from the weight of hidden sin (Hebrews 12:1). • Closer fellowship with Christ—He “will purify for Himself a people for His own possession” (Titus 2:14). • A life that brings “praise, glory, and honor” to Jesus when He is revealed (1 Peter 1:7). |
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