Christianity Oasis Ministry
presents
Cleanliness Bible Verse
Cleanliness is Next to Godliness Quote
Christianity Oasis provides this Cleanliness in the Bible teaching sharing the meaning of the cleanliness is next to Godliness quote found in the cleanliness Bible verse.
The Virtuous Woman
Step 24
Welcome to our Virtual Virtuous Woman exploration looking into the Bible and sharing awe inspiring and thought provocative Christian Studies created from Scripture to enLIGHTen your Christian path to bring forth hope and a renewed faith.
This is our SON-sational Cleanliness in the Bible trek for Truth taking an in-depth look into the extremely elusive, essential and at times misunderstood, Cleanliness is next to godliness quote. The absolutely BE-YOU-tiful Cleanliness Bible verse message will truly bring forth a smile to the lips and heart while cleansing the soul.
Welcome back!
What is Cleanliness in the Bible?
Cleanliness is Next to Godliness Quote
You clean and clean and the dust keeps on building up, the dishes keep on getting dirty, the clothes keep on needing washed, the floor keeps on needing mopped, the toilet keeps on needing scrubbed, the windows keep on getting fingerprints ... Does it ever end? No. It takes routine maintenance to live in a clean environment.
Attention Evil ... Go Away!
If only it were that easy, huh? Remember I told you that the more virtuous you become, the more heat the enemy will put on you because he knows he's losing the battle for your soul to God? Take a look at what Jesus said:
43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he
walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence
I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and
garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other
spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there:
and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall
it be also unto this wicked generation.
Guess what ... You're the house according to this scripture . So you have to really be on your toes because evil spirits see that you've tidied up the place and baby, they wanna come and party there. Remember what Paul said, when he would try and do good, evil would come calling.
Meaning of Cleanliness in the Bible
Cleanliness is next to Godliness Quote
So, you may be saying to yourself, "I certainly don't want to end up in a worse state than I was in the first place." Dear friend, that's only if you allow the evil and it's friends back in.
Peter reiterates what Jesus said:
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the
world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is
worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the
way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from
the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true
proverb (Proverbs
26:11), The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow
that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
It's nothing new. You're not the lone ranger and it's not only happening to you. It happens to everyone. Temptation is something you have to deal with, every day. Just like cleaning isn't just for springtime, it's a daily duty ... And it's also our duty to help others who are going through the same trials and tribulation!
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil,
as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same
afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness ... Why do you suppose they say that? Well, let's compare clean and dirty to figure it out. Usually once something first starts to get dirty, it's easier to procrastinate about cleaning it up, and you just tend to let it go until it gets out of hand, and then, when you absolutely can't stand it anymore, you tackle the clean up ... And you hate it, and it makes you crabby, and you get a long face and a poor attitude ... Does that sound godly to you?
Cleanliness in the Bible Tips
Cleanliness is Next to Godliness Quote
Now, when something is clean, how do you feel? Organized and happy, and comfortable ... That sounds more like a godly attitude. Remember this:
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace ...
How about another comparison ... When things are dirty, destructive things can grow where you can't see. When things are kept clean, you prevent destructive things from growing. Are you correlating this with dirty = evil and clean = virtue?
Take Out the Trash
What happens when bugs get into a bag of flour inside your cabinet? They spread to anything else they can. Do you pour out the infested products and try and pick out all the little bugs so that you can keep the flour? Of course not! Those bugs most probably laid eggs and ... Yuk! You have to throw out the entire bag. Now apply this analogy to an old habit. You can't go on buying "COSMOPOLITAN" magazines and say, I'm just going to read the righteous articles in them.
Every time you pick up the magazine, you're tempting yourself. Really now, the photograph on the cover is against everything you're trying to put into practice in your renewed life, how can anything in a magazine like that possibly represent Jesus Christ and the lifestyle that you're trying to portray as virtuous to other women who observe you? Take inventory of your life and get rid of the trash.
Old attitudes that aren't virtuous are the same way. It only takes one to slowly infest all your good virtues. Remember, it isn't necessary to hold on to any old 'ingredients' just in case you might need them later ... You won't. You may have spent a lot of time and money on them, but they're worthless. Don't give them away to anybody either. You don't want to pass on things that will be a hinder to any one else's virtue, right?
Don't claim them as a loss on your income tax return. Getting rid of them is actually the biggest gain you can imagine. Show your Lord that you want to be rid of them and you don't expect anything in return. It isn't a sacrifice either ... Sacrificing something is giving up something that has value ... Your time, your effort, your devotion ... These things are sacrifice!
You're purging yourself of the trash and waste that you've spent a lifetime collecting. That is what the Cleanliness is next to Godliness quote is requiring of us. Think about what you want, not what you don't want, and you will become what you think. Believe that you can, and it will happen even faster and easier. Remember, belief is a powerful thing. Why stop at your cabinets ... Clean out your closets too!
Cleanliness Bible Verse Blessing
Cleanliness is Next to Godliness Quote Meaning
I love analogies and Cleanliness is next to Godliness quote is a great one, because you just never know when someone's gonna relate to it, and it can change their whole life! Let's take a look at another one that relates to how important it is to rid your life of every possible obstacle you can. Let's say you spill a cup of milk and some of it runs underneath the refrigerator.
You clean up all you can see, and try and push your sponge underneath the bottom grill of the fridge as far as you can, until you can't see any more milk. But alas, there is still milk under there, and after a few days of summer heat, it sours, and it makes a big stink in your kitchen.
Now, liken this to your virtue. Let's say there is a particular thing that you know is not virtuous, but you're having a little trouble dealing with giving it up ... Completely. Maybe it's something that doesn't affect anyone else, so perhaps whispers tell you that it's not really hurting anyone ...
Or maybe they even whisper not to think about it, and as long as you don't, you feel like you're not guilty. Maybe you've sort of scheduled to correct that virtue at a later date ... So you can squeeze a few more times of practicing it, and kind of wean yourself off of it. My friend, that IS procrastination. Don't get me wrong, if you're sincerely trying your hardest, your Lord knows your heart and He's not going to forsake you because you don't become 100% virtuous right this minute.
I know it's hard, but I urge you to try harder, and you'll be so happy you did. The feeling of success is so much greater than the unfulfilling feeling of whatever your vice is, that you're just prolonging the agony of not being all you can be by your own will. Don't run from facing your faults.
You won't go through any depression or withdrawal by acting virtuous instead of unscrupulous ... And you don't have to go through any kind of therapy or detox program to stop being un-virtuous. Just remember the Cleanliness is next to Godliness quote and you will make your own self proud of you! Remember:
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Your deeds speak for themselves. In the words of Matthew Henry:
She leaves it to her own works to praise her, and does not court the applause of men. Those are none of the truly virtuous women that love to hear themselves commended. Her own works will praise her; if her relations and neighbours altogether hold their peace, her good works will proclaim her praise.
Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
Holy Cleanliness Bible Verse
Cleanliness is Next to Godliness Quote Hope
You are becoming a new person, so you must live a new way. Look ahead.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but
this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and
reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus
minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal
even this unto you.
Clean ... Inside and Out
There is a story about a Pharisee that was surprised at Jesus because He didn't wash His hands before eating, but Jesus said:
... Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
A few moments ago, we studied that old saying, Cleanliness is next to godliness. I do believe that cleanliness is so very important, but my friend, if I had to choose between a clean home and a clean soul, I'd choose the clean soul any old day. If I had to choose between a clean body and a clean soul, I'd gladly look like the Wreck of the Hesperus to the world so that my soul could look clean to my Lord.
Cleanliness in the Bible Warning ... You can't judge anyone's soul by the way they look outwardly. There are many people in the world that may appear immaculate physically, but if you could peer into the portal of their soul, you'd be quite surprised. Keep your priorities straight, and always know that God is your only Judge. He knows your heart. If you ever need to spend time with your Father, and it means the postponing of doing the dishes or vacuuming the carpet, Choose Him! Those other things will always wait.
Tidy up your inside. Your soul first. Then the physical cleaning that you need to do will be a pleasure even, because you'll know you did the right thing. Then kick on some God music, too. It's a great inspiration and it will help clean your soul, while you clean your house. Starting now.
Spiritual Cleanliness Bible Verse
True Cleanliness is Next to Godliness Quote
You may have noticed that I've mentioned several times that becoming a virtuous woman is a slow process and to be patient, and so on. This is true for most people, but don't get me wrong, that is not to say that you can't wake up tomorrow and be as virtuous as could be for the rest of your life. It's a choice. It's a lifestyle.
For some it doesn't take as long as others, but that certainly doesn't mean that one is a success and one is a failure. Any effort you make toward being virtuous is vital to your goal and an inspiration for you to set higher goals all the time. I'll quote Winston Churchill on this one ... Never, never, never ... Never give up.
Here is a list of just some things that prevent people from being virtuous. If you possess any of them, you know what to do. If there are things not included on this list that you suspect should be done away with, add them to the list, don't hesitate to say good riddance to them. God will reward you with something better.
anger
anxiety
arrogance
bitterness
blasphemy
boredom
clamor
contention
corruption
covetousness
disobedience
doubt
envy
evil
filth
foolishness
gluttony
greed
guilt
hatred
idleness
idols
images
indecency
irritability
jealousy
laziness
lust
nervousness
persecution
perverseness
procrastination
scorn
self
shame
temptation
torment
unfaithfulness
ungodliness
weakness
wickedness
wrath
Cleanliness Bible Verse Recipe
Cleanliness is Next to Godliness Quote Facts
Once again, remind yourself that practicing the cleanliness is next to Godliness way of life is a never ending process. As you know, from doing the dishes, taking out the trash, doing the laundry, dusting the furniture, vacuuming the carpet, mopping the floor, weeding the garden, and many other things, you have to keep up with it regularly or things will get out of hand.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Corinthians 6:17-18
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,
saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive
you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons
and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Cleanliness in the Bible Tips
I can't stress to you enough that you have to roll up your sleeves and get into the corners when you clean. It's about getting the grime under the stove. It's about cleaning the toe jam out from your feet. It's about getting the wax out of your ears. It's about blowing your nose and getting the boogers that are left behind.
It's about washing the brown "stuff" out of the bottom of the trash can. It's about cleaning the cobwebs in the corners. It's about wiping the dust on the ceiling fan blades. It's about cleaning the lint screen in the washer and the clothes dryer. It's about scrubbing off the burnt on gunk in the roasting pan.
It's about keeping the mildew off the shower curtain. Of course these are all analogies for those things in that list above. You can live without taking care of these things for a little while, but sooner or later, they cause a stink, or an eyesore, and having good ethics, good morals, good virtues ... A little gumption, will keep your life from smelling of repugnance too.
What is gumption? Gumption is common sense, initiative, guts, nerve, bravery, persistence etc. Don't put things off until tomorrow. Remember that little book that I told you about called 99 Annoying Attributes of God? I'm reminded of another page that says: "God is annoying because He thinks delayed obedience is disobedience." Don't procrastinate!
Cleanliness Bible Verse Reward
Cleanliness is Next to Godliness Quote Summary
A recipe is not something that you memorize the first time you prepare it. When you feel like you have forgotten something, refresh your memory. Read the recipe again. And again and again whenever you feel it is necessary. You will know. You will feel it. Soon it will become firsthand to your conscious and subconscious mind and it will become easier to prepare with each passing day. Don't forget, your cookbook is the Bible. There are plenty of good recipes inside that you should try ... And share!
God's Grace is Fantastic!
Just as in preparing any recipe, you will have to stop and clean up a spill or two as you go. You may have to wash a dish here and there, but that doesn't stop you from completing your preparation of the recipe. Don't let spills, or any kind of setbacks get the best of you. Clean it up, and keep on going! Ever heard of that cleaning spray called Fantastic? You could say that God's Grace is fantastic ... It cleans away your sins and leaves you shining. Never forget to thank Him for His abundant Grace and the generosity with which He gives it to us.
I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
A last cleanliness in the Bible reminder about the cleanliness is next to Godliness quote ... Determination will be your best friend in preparing the Cleanliness in the Bible ingredients. You won't need an apron. You won't need a chef's hat. You won't need pots and pans. You won't need a stove or an oven or a crock pot or a microwave or a bar-b-cue pit. Your hunger to serve the Lord, is all you need to get started on your own recipe for getting next to Godliness.
God's Grace be with you!
Select your desired page number below:
If you have any questions, comments or just want to share thoughts, email us at:
Christianity Oasis
Copyright © 2000-2024 All Rights Reserved.
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said,
out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Learn how the Christianity Oasis Ministry was created by the Hand of the Lord. A true story of unconditional Love, Mercy and God's glorious Grace.
Cleanliness Bible Verse Sites
Cleanliness is Next to Godliness Quote Resources
Bible Hub ... Topical Bible: Christian Cleanliness - And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christianity.com ... What Does it Mean 'Cleanliness is Next to Godliness'? Wesley wrote, "Slovenliness is no part of religion. Cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness." John Wesley would often emphasize cleanliness in his preaching.
Christian Today ... 5 reasons why cleanliness is godliness - "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" is a metaphorical idiom. It means a clean body and home is a mind free of unfiltered thoughts.
Faithlife ... Cleanliness is Next to Godliness - So naturally the expression, "Cleanliness is next to godliness," is often used by mom's as the gospel truth, but it is also often a phrase.
Got Questions ... What are some Bible verses about cleanliness? What are some Bible verses about cleanliness? ... Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Holy Spirit .. Cleanliness is Next to Godliness. The Bible shares with us the importance of cleanliness in the Bible by looking at the Cleanliness Bible verse meaning. Get to know the Holy Spirit and He will reveal the secrets to cleaning your soul.
OpenBible.info ... What Does the Bible Say About Cleanliness? I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. Matthew 23:26
Quora ... Where did the saying 'cleanliness is close to godliness' originate? Being clean symbolises spiritual purity or goodness, as in Don't forget to wash behind your ears—cleanliness is next to godliness.
After you are completed with this Cleanliness Bible verse exploration delving into the Cleanliness in the Bible voyage seeking the true essence of the Cleanliness is next to Godliness quote, you can also check out some of the other Christian entertainment, games, music, books, mall, studies and programs within our Christian community below:
❤
Love
Offerings
We hope you enjoyed our Cleanliness in the Bible study delving into the soul soaping, Cleanliness is Next to Godliness quote found within the life changing cleanliness Bible verse. If after sojourning through the Christianity Oasis community, you find our Ministry to be worthy and would like to make a Love Offering as to assure the Light of Hope continues to shine for the lost and hurting souls dwelling in darkness, thereby providing them with the opportunity to pursue the path of Christianity as well as provide a safe and enjoyable sanctuary for fellow Christians.
Please choose to make a one time love offering securely by way of Paypal, credit card or debit card by clicking on the PayPal button below.
If you prefer to pay by check or other source or if you have any questions, please contact us at: ChristianityOasis
May God bless you abundantly for your Love.