Just started reading Soul Detox by one one my favorite pastors, Craig Groeschel. Before you read any of his words-Introduction or otherwise- you read this quote:
GOD DOESN’T SEEK FOR GOLDEN VESSELS, AND DOES NOT ASK FOR SILVER ONES, BUT HE MUST HAVE CLEAN ONES. D.L. Moody
That stopped me dead in my tracks. Having been raised in a home where my father smoked (mostly outside the house), I was unaware of the lingering smoke smell that I carried with me. When my late father-in-law smoked cigars, we knew the first thing we would need to do when we came home was empty ALL the clothes out of the suitcase-worn or unworn- for them to be thrown into the washer because of the lingering smell on the clothes. I now find myself allergic to smoke of any kind, so I have to avoid it if at all possible.
But have someone come around me who either smokes; lives in a home where there is someone who smokes; or works around it, and I can smell it on their clothes, or in their hair, or as they simply walk by.
Please understand: that is not a criticism of someone who smokes. I know many fine people who do. What I do feel though is that many have no clue about the smell that lingers on them because of their exposure to it. Maybe I am more sensitive to it since I don’t. It bothers me to even be around a campfire and not be able to take a shower immediately afterwards.
One of the basic teachings of the Bible is the holiness of God. Holy=pure. Holy=set apart. That, and more, describe God. The trouble comes when we are told, “Be holy for I am holy.” Holy=pure. Holy=set apart. Yikes!! I, of course, could never attain the purity and separateness of God. But…..
THAT… IS… WHERE… D.L. MOODY’S… QUOTE… COMES… IN.
God simply wants a clean vessel. One holy for Him. One set apart for His use. “Lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus…” Heb.12:1-2a.
How important is holiness to you? How would you define it if asked to do so? What are your thoughts on Moody’s quote?
Hey, I am reading Soul Detox now too. Cool beans. It has come along at the right time for me as I am plagued by toxins. Toxins of negativity and regret and hopelessness and low self-esteem and … I pray that I take something away from this that will linger well after I read the last sentence. I will post my review soon. Interested to get your take on this.
That is cool Daniel! i will also be interested in your take on it. I am currently in chapter 4. Praying for you to find relief.
I agree that we who believe need to be clean vessels. I think if God was the priority He should be, we would be holier.
Couldn’t agree more Larry.
the DL Moody quote is spot on.
we don’t have to be shiny – just clean.
And we don’t have clean ourselves. We can’t. Jesus cleans us up.
let us know if Soul Detox is any good. I’ve seen his books but have never read him.
Good thing I am not responsible for cleaning myself. I would be in a world of hurt. Will let you know about the book.
Thankful HE can clean it. I can make it available yet have not shown a propensity to keep it clean. Thankful He makes it white as snow and not me…
Thankful also Tom. No way can I do it.
One of my favorite quote is by A. W. Tozer…”The holy man is not one who cannot sin. A holy man is one who will not sin.”
There are so many choices during my day, if I choose Him, my choices after that are usually holy ones…ones that set me apart. Thanks Bro’!
I like that jay about choices after choosing Him. Thanks to you my friend.
That’s a good quote from Moody. I was just listening to a sermon clip yesterday from Paul Washer. He was talking about how pastors and teachers pray for the Spirit’s power in their lives, and then flip on the TV and watch things that grieve the Spirit they just prayed about. For some reason, that hit me hard.
It is a tough situation to find oneself in Loren. Does what we watch match our desire for holiness? Good challenge.
I’m with you on the smoking thing, I can smell it inside my vehicle with the windows rolled up and someone in another vehicle close by smoking.
I think holiness is to be set apart, a striving for the intentions and likeness of God although a struggle in the flesh.
I like what I think is the intention of Moody’s comment.
While we are commanded to seek His holiness, I don’t think God “must” have anything to bring about His will. I think it’s our blessings to be part of His will and the blessings we receive when we strive for His holiness.
I’ve certainly witnessed God’s hand in my life when myself or others around me weren’t “clean.” The stories in the Bible I think are examples of that too.
Agree with your thoughts on God “must” have. The Bible, as you state, is filled with unclean vessel stories.
Hi Bill
Holiness is very important to me. I think it should be a high prioity in a believers’ life. My definition of holiness at this time is ‘keeping myself unspotted from the world’. james 1:27 KJV
the Bible says that ‘all things are permissible, but not all things are expedient”not all things edify’. I Cor 6:12 and I Cor 10:23 KJV
We have to know that the sin that we allow to cling so close to us will inhibit the Spirit of God. God is not a sharer of his people. He demands exclusiveness from us. He demands a setting apart from us.
Does this mean that we have to be instantly clean and sparkling? No, but I think that we have to be conscious of things that may be ‘spotting’ us and make efforts to remove these from our lives. I believe the Holy Spirit will nudge us in this direction unless our hearts are so hardened and our minds so set that He cannot speak to us anymore.
I read the example of the tv in Lorens’ comment. I am becoming more aware these days that tv shows that I used to watch a few months ago are not watchable by me anymore. Either the content of these tv shows are changing or I am becoming more conscious that I don’t want to imput this kind of content into my mind anymore.
As for Moody’s comment it makes reasonable sense to us that if the apostles had been sexually immoral, thieves, etc. they would not have been used by the Holy Spirit as they were. They may have been ‘believers’ but would be unuseable vessels by God until changes to their lives were made by the apostles. These sins are extreme, but whatever sin in our lives that God (the Holy Spirit) is pointing out to us or convicting us of we need to clean up.
The desire to be holy sure challenges us in all areas Linda. I totally agree with you.
I just received a copy of this book, and I’m looking forward to reading. Craig Groeschel has written some great stuff!
Daniel Carman has also begun reading it. Maybe we can do a book post series on it Jon. What do you think?
Amen and Amen. Love the quote and passage.
My desire is to be pure and holy for God. Though I sin, my drive is to be washed and holy.
Powerful post.
No better desire Dan.
I can’t handle the smoke either–gives me a headache and makes me sick. I’m starting to pray now because we are going to visit my wife’s family in Kentucky soon and 90% of them smoke. What do they say? A hedge of protection? Yeah, I need that. As for holiness, it is important to me because it’s important to Him. If I want the freedom He’s promised, I have to accept His gift of righteousness and holiness as well. I want a deeper work of it in my life! Thanks Bill.
Oh man, Jason, you have my sympathies. That would be tough on me for sure. You are also right about the holiness: important to you because important to Him. Thanks for coming by.
About the smell of smoke, I have a big problem with it too. If I smell it, my allergies kick in, and I have to take medicines or I might have a bad sour throat, runny nose, sneezes, etc for days.
And it is even worse usually for women: the smell gets attached to our hair in a way, that it seems that wherever you go, the smoke is there with you.
About Moody’s quote, all I have to say is wow! That is such a great visual aid of what holiness is all about. Thanks for sharing!
Hair is not a problem for me. 😛 Glad you like the quote Cris. Good to hear from you.