Uncleanness: Understanding Biblical Purity and Defilement

Uncleanness is impurity before God – moral or ritual pollution that separates the unholy from the Holy One. It speaks of filth and defilement, of a life stained by sin. Scripture traces the theme from the ritual laws of the Old Testament to the inward purity Christ demands, and calls every believer to be washed, and to stay clean.

Uncleanness in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament period various animals such as rabbits and pigs were pronounced unclean by God and their flesh was not to be eaten, while others were declared clean and their flesh could be consumed (Lev 11:1-47). Later this distinction between meats was removed (Acts 10:9-16).

At various times people were also considered unclean, and directions were given for dealing with each situation. These included menstruating women, dead bodies, and those with leprosy (Lev 12–15; Num 5:1-4). God even accused the Israelites of polluting the ground by their evil conduct (Ezek 36:17). Our best, most honourable efforts are tainted with sin and, compared to God’s righteousness, are like filthy rags that don’t measure up to His standard (Isa 64:6).

Uncleanness in the New Testament

In the New Testament the term unclean is applied to evil spirits and an impure lifestyle (Mt 12:43; Rom 1:24; Gal 5:19; 2 Pet 2:10). Rather than give ourselves to uncleanness, as typified by the corrupt nature, we are to give ourselves to God and be holy, for He is holy and, as His children, we should express His nature. “Without holiness no one will see the Lord” is an incentive to walk uprightly (Rom 6:19; Eph 5:3; 1 Thes 4:7; Heb 12:14; 1 Pet 1:15-16). We are instructed to “touch no unclean thing”, staying clear of what would defile our spirits, because of the powerful, infiltrating effect of sin, spreading widely (1 Cor 5:6; 2 Cor 6:17; Gal 5:9; Jas 1:27; 1 Jn 2:16).

Case studies from the Scriptures: Naaman washed in the Jordan and his flesh became clean like a little child’s (2 Kgs 5:14); a leper knelt before Jesus saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean”, and He replied, “I am willing; be cleansed” (Mk 1:40-42); and through Peter’s vision God taught, “What God has made clean, do not call common” (Acts 10:9-16).

No ‘unclean person’ will be in heaven, only those who have come in repentance to Jesus, been cleansed from sin and endeavoured to walk in fellowship with Him (Gal 5:16-24; Eph 5:5). There can be no close intimacy with God when a person is aware of unconfessed sin in their life, so there is an ongoing need for cleansing. “Your iniquities have separated you from your God, your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isa 59:2). The Lord God said, “I have dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their offences, and I hid my face from them” (Ps 32:3-5; Ezek 39:24).

Have you been washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Do I have unclean lips – speaking what is not honouring to Him rather than uplifting words that bless others and praise Him – so that my speech is polluted and stained by sin? (Isa 6:5; Jas 3:9-10). How about my lifestyle?

The Pharisees maintained (and even added to) the strict Old Testament purity rituals, following the requirements of the law ‘to the letter’. This superficial, outward show of devotion to God brought them into conflict with Jesus, who taught that their visible lifestyle must come from the correct inner foundation of a right relationship to God (Mt 6:1, 9:10-13, 23:5; Lk 11:37-52). Although Jesus did not abandon the Old Testament ritualistic purity laws, His emphasis was on inward, spiritual cleanliness. He declared it is not the food that goes into our mouth that makes us unclean, but what we think, say and do that defiles us (Mt 15:11,17-20).

Inner purity matters most

Contamination or uncleanness is the cause of many diseases and infections, especially through polluted drinking water – which in developing countries alone is reported to be responsible for the death of some 6,000 people per day throughout the world.

Dealing with Uncleanness

Your personal responsibility is to “Cleanse yourselves…purify your hearts” (2 Tim 2:21; Jas 4:8). We are to guard our heart more than any treasure, for it is the control centre of our lives, and our thoughts need to be constantly monitored as they influence us in powerful ways (Prov 4:23; Mt 15:18-19).

How to Stay Clean

Monitor your input – be deliberate about what you watch, read and think about.
Confess quickly – don’t let sin settle; deal with it the moment God convicts you (1 Jn 1:9).
Replace, don’t just remove – put off the unclean and put on what is honourable (Eph 4:22-25).
Stay accountable – invite a mature believer to speak honestly into your life.
Wash daily in the Word – let Scripture cleanse your thoughts like soap (Ps 51:2; Ps 119:9).

Although we cannot bring about this change without divine help, we must continually desire to be clean, and follow through by making right choices and being disciplined in our conduct. David prayed, “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin” (Ps 51:2). It is as we do our part in putting off the old life and replacing it with the new, that God, by His grace and mercy, will assist us to walk in the newness of life in Christ Jesus (Rom 6:4-14; Eph 4:22-25; Col 3:8-12).

Use the Scriptures like soap to wash away the daily grime

While we are to keep ourselves from being defiled by the pollution of sin, this does not mean we are not to associate with sinners, because how else can we hope to influence them for Jesus; rather we are not to needlessly expose ourselves to their ways or go to questionable places (2 Cor 6:17). If we do soil ourselves by sinning, the right course is to repent and ask for forgiveness and cleansing (1 Jn 1:9).

You may like to make this your own prayer:

Father, search me and show me anything that is unclean in my life. I confess it to You now. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow; make me clean in Your sight. Amen.

Reflection and Application

Ask God to search your heart and reveal anything unclean – then confess it and receive His cleansing.
Guard your heart daily by monitoring what you watch, read and think about.
Use the Scriptures as ‘soap’ – read and apply them each day to remove the daily grime.
Stay clear of questionable places and influences, yet keep reaching out to sinners with the love of Christ.
If you have never been washed in the blood of the Lamb, you can be today: come to Jesus in repentance and be made clean. Find out more in Christian.