Pastor’s Corner: “Word Bath”
Ephesians 5:26 (AMP) – 26 so that He might sanctify the church, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word [of God],
As we continue our challenge to read the Bible at least 15 minutes every day this week, I would like you to consider this question: Do you take a bath every day? That isn’t meant to be a physical question— though I hope the answer is yes—but rather it’s a spiritual question. Many of us do not miss our daily shower or bath but we often skip our daily wash in the Word (Bible reading).
Think of the things you use to take a shower or bath. You cannot get clean unless you use soap, body wash, or another cleansing agent. God’s Word is a cleanser that gets into your heart and mind, enabling you to emerge from trials and foul circumstances of this world unsoiled, dirt-free, and pure!
In Greek the word “washing” actually translates to “bath”. The Jews of the time often took ritual baths to show cleansing or a change. Among other times, a bride was required to do this shortly before her wedding. This was done in a mikvah, which was often a cistern cut out of stone and filled by rain. The picture for us today is not of a physical bath but a spiritual bath. It’s about what Jesus does for us, a cleansing we can’t do ourselves. He sacrificed and served, and did for us what we did not deserve.
When you come to Him as you are and let His love wash you in The Word, He will light the dark places in your heart, bring you into His truth, and put you back into the center of His will. Once you are clean, you will start to understand the depth and richness of God’s Heart.
In English, we have the term brainwash, which usually has a negative connotation. The word would be appropriate, however, to describe in a positive light the way in which the Holy Spirit renews our minds, washing them clean with the pure water of God’s Word. With everything our minds are exposed to throughout the day a “brain-washing” through the water of God’s Word is a must!
Picture the Lord Jesus walking through your mind, filling up a wheelbarrow full of filth, and carting it out. Hallelujah! God’s cleansing powers can sweep over your soul today. And fresh winds of the Holy Spirit can blow through the temple of your body and make you clean and pure. How?
God’s Word helps us understand our true thoughts and attitudes. When we read it, the Holy Spirit goes to work on our inner person, helping us to understand our true thoughts and attitudes. Which, sometimes, are hard for even ourselves to discern. Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
God’s Word reflects our obedience or disobedience. We read the Word and hear what it says, but do we obey? The Book of James says this: James 1:22-24 – But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.
God’s Word sets us free. James 1:25 – But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
Even though you may forget to bathe with God’s Word and allow the cares of life to drag you into a mud pile or two, there’s no need to remain filthy. Just open the Bible and ask The Holy Spirit to give you a passage to read and meditate. He will draw you gently to the bathroom, and shower you with sweet-smelling Truth to remove the grime and dirt. What are some areas in your life that need a “Word bath”?
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton