Pollution: Contamination of Body, Mind and Spirit

Pollution, in its broadest sense, refers to the introduction of harmful elements that corrupt, defile, or damage what was originally pure and good. While the word most commonly brings to mind environmental contamination, the concept extends far beyond the physical realm — encompassing the pollution of the body through harmful substances and the contamination of the mind through corrupting influences that erode the soul.

Environmental and Bodily Pollution

Modern civilisation has created havoc in various ways with toxic waste damaging the environment, besides the sheer scale of other waste material. The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land we depend upon have all suffered from humanity's careless disregard for creation. Individuals also pollute their own bodies through abusive substances — drink, smoking, drugs — and even some legitimate foods such as excess sugar and over-reliance on prescribed medicines.

Your body is God's temple

The Bible teaches that our bodies are not our own; they are temples of the Holy Spirit and must be kept pure (1 Cor 3:17, 6:15-20). When we mistreat our bodies, we dishonour the One who created us and the dwelling place of His Spirit. Do I take this responsibility seriously? What we allow into our bodies has the potential to influence our physical and spiritual wellbeing, and we are called to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Rom 12:1).

Pollution of the Mind and Heart

More damaging still is the contamination of the mind by the pollutant of pornography and other evils that corrupt it. Do you know the serious damage the trash you let into your mind is doing? What we allow into our minds has the potential to influence our responses and shape our character (Mt 15:11-20). To the pure everything is pure, but those with evil hearts see evil in everything (Tit 1:15).

Don't feed your mind 'poison'

Can a man take fire into his bosom and not be burned? (Prov 6:27). Ungodly sexual desires and activities have shipwrecked many people. Jesus not only reiterated the Old Testament command that adultery was sinful, He also taught that the 'act' undertaken in the thoughts was equally so (Mt 5:27-28). Our minds will be renewed as we take captive the wrong thoughts and replace them with those that are pure and good (Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 10:4-5; Phil 4:8). The battle for purity begins in the mind, and what we feed it determines the course of our lives.

The Spread and Consequences of Sin

Sin is like yeast — just as a small amount of yeast works through the whole batch of dough, so even a little sin quickly affects us and tarnishes our whole witness for Christ (1 Cor 5:6; Gal 5:9). If we have done what God says is not right, He will forgive when there is genuine repentance, turning away from wrong, however the consequences will remain (1 Jn 1:9). As "Bad company corrupts good character" God desires we keep ourselves from being polluted by the world (1 Cor 15:33; Jas 1:27).

A little sin affects the whole

The evilness of sin allows the enemy to gain the advantage, so this calls for vigilance, self-discipline, and control of our faculties on our part — for although He will assist, the motivation and effort must come from us (Josh 7:6-13; Eph 4:22,27,29). Sin must be dealt with, be it in us, our homes, churches or nations. There can be no peaceful co-existence between good and evil (2 Cor 6:14). Be wary of any souvenir or object in your home that has something of the enemy about it. Even though the morals of the world are degenerating, God's standards remain unchanged (Jas 4:4).

Reflection and Application:

What am I allowing into my mind that may be polluting my thoughts and desires?
Am I treating my body as the temple of the Holy Spirit, or am I careless with what I consume?
Is there any sin I need to deal with honestly before God and turn away from?
Am I keeping company or habits that could corrupt my character and witness?