2 Corinthians 7:1

NASB	NLT	VOICE
1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.	1 Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.	1 Because we have these promises, dearly loved ones, out of respect for God we should scour the filth from our flesh and spirit and move toward perfect beauty and holiness.

Holiness Isn’t Optional

Paul wants to ensure that the Corinthians are being taken care of spiritually. The promise that Paul is referring to here is the promise that God will dwell amongst believers. The promises are fulfilled in Christ, who enables believers to become the temple of the living God. The call to cleanse ourselves is to make our body holy for the presence of the Holy Spirit that lives within us. The cleansing involves seeking forgiveness for how we miss the mark with being godlike and the goal of trying to live a righteous life, through both what we say and do. Perfecting this holiness is an everyday journey where we will grow to be more like Christ everyday. 

What It Means to Cleanse Ourselves

The Greek word for cleanse shows a thorough purification. We are called to actively remove anything that contaminates their body and spirit. This isn’t a juice cleanse or anything like that. It’s about removing the things that make us less like Christ. It could be removing people from our lives, changing jobs, and even moving cities. It’s stopping behaviors like drinking, watching porn, having sex just for pleasure, gossiping, gambling and more. It’s a way to shape our minds and bodies to stay focused on God’s word and follow the path that he’s set for us. We need to study God’s word daily and work to understand how to live according to his will. 

Reflection Questions

1. Where can you know God is calling you for a deeper cleanse?
2. Are there behaviors, people, or patterns keeping you from being holy?
3. What would it look like for you to prioritize holiness? 

Call to Action

Make a short list today of anything you know is defiling your body or spirit. Pick an item and work towards removing it. 

Next slice of manna: Manna for the Mind #255