What Exactly is Defilement
Defilement is a spiritual or religious concept used heavily in the Bible. According to the Bible its primary purpose is to provide guidance to believers on which acts and attitudes lead to holiness and which lead to unhappiness. It teaches us as believers, how to stay away from unhappiness. It is a concept that shapes our behavior and provides us with spiritual knowledge. For those familiar with the Bible, the concept of defilement is a common one.
What Does the Bible Say About Defilement?
The Bible paints a clear picture of defilement. In Leviticus 12-15, there are numerous specific examples of what falls under the umbrella of defilement and what actions are considered to be acceptable in order to remain faithful and righteous in the eyes of God.
The first thing we must understand about the Biblical definition of defilement is that it does not only refer to sin. In fact, many non-sinful acts can lead to defilement. For instance, eating of certain creatures(Deuteronomy 14:3) or touching certain unclean animals.( Deuteronomy 14:7). In addition, certain practices such as eating blood, or drinking blood and eating food sacrificed to idols (Leviticus 17:4-5).
These acts are considered defiling for followers of Christianity and Judaism and are spiritually frowned upon according to the Bible.
The Effect of Defilement on a Believer
When engaging in activities that are considered to be defiling, believers must understand the spiritual consequences of their actions.
The Bible mentions multiple punishments which come with engaging in these activities. One punishment which is explicitly mentioned in the Bible is that such actions will prevent believers from entering the Promised Land (Leviticus 20:24-25). Another punishment is that the believer must experience is disconnection from God.
According to the Bible, when one engages in activities which are deemed to be defiling they are seen to have re-casted themselves away from holiness and depending on their level of defilement, their relationship with God has been affected.
What Can We Learn from the Bible about Defilement?
The Bible teaches us an important lesson about living a righteous life: one must be conscious about what they do and what is considered an act of defilement in order to stay on the righteous path. It is an important lesson: to be aware of what one does and to consciously avoid situations that could lead one away from holiness and connectedness with God.
Defilement is actually a preventative measure. This makes it easier to avoid situations which could lead to wrong doing. As the Bible says, “Happy is the one who keeps away from what is covered up (defiled).[Proverbs 8:20].
It is important to bear in mind that Christianity is about living a life grounded in faith and connection with God. It is about proving that overall, one’s actions are guided by their desire to stay on the righteous path and remain in connectedness with God. Therefore, it is essential for believers to ensure that they adhere to moral and spiritual boundaries taught in the Bible.
How Can We be Liberated from Defilement?
The answer to being liberated from defilement can be found in the Bible as well. In the Bible we read that God has provided us with a way to be forgiven of our sins and our spiritual wrong doings, and thereby be liberated from the bondage of our defilements.
The answer to being liberated from defilement is found in the Bible passage of Micah 7:18-19:
“He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our sins underfoot. Yes, you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as You pledged to our ancestors from ancient times.”
These verses teach us that even in times of great adversity, God will still have compassion on us and our sins will be forgiven. We are reminded that God is ever faithful and that our sins can be forgiven and forgotten if we just turn to Him.
How Can We Appeal to God for Forgiveness and Liberation?
When asking for forgiveness and liberation from our sins, we can turn to God in prayer. The Bible says “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer is one of the main tools believers can use to communicate with God and appeal to Him for deliverance from sin and defilement.
We can prepare our prayers by meditating on the words of the Bible and reflecting on our sins and wrongdoings. In the process of prayer and reflection, we can open our hearts to God and express our sorrow and sorrow for what we have done.
Another way to appeal to God is by engaging in acts of kindness and benevolence. When believers share with those in need, we are indirectly communicating to God that we are repentant for our sins.
Conclusion: Embrace Forgiveness and Liberation from Defilement
At the end of the day, the Bible teaches us that we have a choice: to embrace a life of defilement or to seek forgiveness and deliverance from our sins.
The Bible shows us that with faith, prayer, and good deeds we can appeal to God for liberation from our sins and embrace a life of holiness and spiritual health.
However, engaging in activities that are deemed to be spiritually wrong is a way of leading ourselves away from holiness and connectedness with God. Thus, it is important to remain aware and sensitive to the concept of defilement and be ever conscious of the spiritual consequences our choices might have.
