What impurities in our lives might God be calling us to remove? Setting the Scene: Israel’s Dross Ezekiel 22:17–18: “Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me; all of them are copper, tin, iron, and lead inside the furnace; they are the dross of silver.’” God pictures His people as precious metal contaminated with base alloys. The image is vivid: only intense heat separates silver from its worthless dross. The same Lord still refines His people today. Spotting the Dross in Our Own Lives Ask, “Where is the spiritual slag clinging to me?” The Spirit often puts His finger on areas we downplay or excuse. Below are frequent trouble spots Scripture exposes. Common Impurities God Highlights in Scripture • Idolatrous Attachments – Anything we treasure more than obedience (Ezekiel 14:3; Colossians 3:5). • Corrupt Speech – Gossip, coarse joking, half-truths, tearing others down (Ephesians 4:29; James 3:9-10). • Injustice and Hard-Heartedness – Using people, ignoring the vulnerable, unfair business practices (Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8). • Sexual Sin – Lust, pornography, adultery, any intimacy outside God’s design (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; Hebrews 13:4). • Materialism and Greed – Anxious accumulation, stinginess, envy of others’ prosperity (Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:9-10). • Pride and Self-Reliance – Exalting personal opinion, refusing correction, prayerlessness (Proverbs 16:5; James 4:6). • Bitterness and Unforgiveness – Keeping score, replaying wrongs, silent grudges (Ephesians 4:31-32; Hebrews 12:15). God’s Refining Process • The furnace of trials: “You have been grieved by various trials, so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold…—may result in praise, glory, and honor” (1 Peter 1:6-7). • The washing of the Word: “Christ loved the church… to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word” (Ephesians 5:25-26). • The inner witness of the Spirit: convicting, guiding, empowering (John 16:8, 13; Romans 8:13). Steps Toward Daily Cleansing 1. Invite Inspection “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23). 2. Confess Specifically Name the impurity; agree with God about it (1 John 1:9). 3. Renounce and Remove Delete the app, end the relationship, repay the debt—whatever obedience demands (Matthew 5:29-30). 4. Replace with Truth and Righteous Action – Idolatry → worship and service (Romans 12:1). – Corrupt speech → words that build up (Ephesians 4:29). – Greed → generosity (2 Corinthians 9:7). 5. Walk in Fellowship “Iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17). Accountability accelerates refinement. 6. Persevere in Hope “He who began a good work in you will perfect it” (Philippians 1:6). Encouragement from the Word • 2 Corinthians 7:1: “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” • Malachi 3:3: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” • 2 Timothy 2:21: “If anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor… prepared for every good work.” The Refiner’s fire is not punitive but purposeful. As He skims away the dross, what remains is the pure reflection of Christ in us—fit for His glory and ready for service. |
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