Spiritual Detoxification
Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)
Our English word catharsis comes from the Greek word katharos, which is translated pure or, in some places, clean. Knowing this gives us some insight into what Jesus means when he says the pure in heart will see God.
Catharsis refers to the purging of emotions like fear and self-pity that result in spiritual renewal.
In light of this understanding, I’d like to offer my own translation to this pathway to blessing Jesus provides us with -
Blessed are those whose hearts have been cleansed, washed of those impurities that enslave us and distort our thinking, keeping us from clearly seeing God.
Several years ago, I sat in my Korean doctor’s office as he shared with me the results of my first full physical in years. A good friend personally introduced me to this doctor. I had been feeling terrible - achy, restless sleep, constant fatigue. I blamed it on work, but I knew it was more than that.
My doctor (who spoke pretty good English) pointed to a TV mounted in his office. He clicked the remote, and together, we watched a conversation between a doctor and his patient. It was in Korean, and I didn’t understand a word, but I could see the look of surprise on the patient’s face.
After the video, my doctor turned to me and said, “Doctor tell patient, ‘You have diabetes.’” “Patient say, ‘I am shocked.’” Then, placing his hand on my knee (a little weird, but he was a caring guy), he said, “You have diabetes.” Taking my cue from the video, I responded and said, “I am shocked!” Boy, was I ever.
I was so overweight and out of shape. My diet was horrendous. Along with the medication he prescribed, my doctor gave me some clear instructions on how to purge my body of the toxins contributing to my diabetes. I began an immediate and painful process of detoxification.
In just a few weeks, I began to feel a lot better. Over time, as I continued to eat healthy and exercise, I not only overcame my symptoms of body aches and fatigue, I experienced a surge of energy both physically and mentally.
To “see” God clearly demands from each of us a spiritual detoxification. Our hearts are filled with impurities that hinder us from being and becoming the men and women God is calling us to be through Jesus. Negative emotions like fear, self-pity, envy, greed, and anger are symptoms of a spiritual disease. They must be purged from our lives, and the purging can be painful.
My diabetes diagnosis, by itself, was not enough to bring healing and health to my body. I had to be willing to change my lifestyle. It was hard at first, but in time, I experienced such a dramatic change that I can’t imagine going back.
Following Jesus requires a willingness on our part to acknowledge the toxic thoughts and emotions that control our lives, keeping us from the fulfilled or blessed lives God has for us. The biblical word for this is confession.
But confession or acknowledging the problem is not enough. Genuine change must take place. The word repentance means to change.
The most important thing I’ve learned about spiritual growth over the years is this - it involves a lifetime of confession and repentance. As we acknowledge the toxic areas of our lives and make the changes needed to purge these things, we begin to experience more of God’s presence and goodness.
What do you need to be purged from your life? Are you willing to engage in the change needed to be free of these things?
“In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves for the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” (2 Timothy 2:20-21)
In Christ,
Dan
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