God's Word Cleanses

One of the pieces of furniture in the Old Testament tabernacle was called the bronze laver (ex. 38:8). It consisted of a huge upright bronze bowl filled with water, resting upon a pedestal. The priest would often stop at this laver and wash. The Word of God may be thought of in terms of that laver, for it too has the power to cleanes. The Old Testiment laver could only remove the physical dirt from human hands, but the Scriptures possess the ability to take away our moral filth (1 Pet. 1:22).

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). What areas of my life can the Bible cleanse?

It can cleanse me from wrong thoughts. Sometimes we are tempted to think critically of others. God's word can prevent this (Ps. 1:2). On other occasions fearful thoughts may race through our minds. The Scripture will prevent this also (Josh. 1:8). In fact, the Bible will establish our total thoughtlife if we but allow it to do so (Phil. 4:8, 9;2 Pet. 1:5-10).

It can cleanse me from wrong words. Of all the Bible authors, James seems to be God's expert on the sins of the human tongue. In the first chapter of his book, he deals with this very thing and shows the absolute necessity of dependence upon the Scriptures to keep our words true (James 1:22-26).

It cleanses me from wrong actions. Jesus promised us this would be the case. "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you" (John 15:3).

Finally, God's Word will keep us from wrong thoughts, words, and actions; or else wrong thoughts, words, and actions will keep us from God's Word. Amen