The King James Version of the Bible translates this verse as, “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.” Perfecting holiness is simply the continual act of perfecting being separated unto God, in the fear of God.

Now, fear of God doesn’t mean you are afraid of Him, but rather you reverence Him. The more fear of God you have, the more obedient you are—and the more you give of yourself to God. That reverential fear of God increases in you as you study the Word, as you spend time with God, as you grow in the Lord.

The Amplified Bible says we’re to cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles the body and spirit, everything that would prevent us from being separated unto God.

For example, if you and I believe adultery is wrong, and we have no intention of committing adultery or fornication, then we ought not watch adultery. We ought not feed ourselves with adultery that’s on television, in a movie or in a book. I like to say it this way, “If you don’t want to do it, don’t watch it.” And that applies to everything, not just adultery.

We simply don’t have any business contaminating our spirit and mind with the trash the world sells. We’re to cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles the body and spirit. And everything is not as blatant as the sin of adultery. There are subtle ways we can contaminate our spirit.

The greatest sin you and I can commit is not walking in love. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another…” (John 13:34). So when we walk in hate, when we walk in unforgiveness, our spirit is contaminated.

Ken had a vision one time of a pipe. And this pipe was so clogged up that any liquid in it just dripped out little by little. God showed him that our spirit is the same way. When we don’t walk in love, our spirit gets so clogged up that the power of God can’t come through. We’re not living separated unto God.

We’ve got to unclog our pipes. We’ve got to perfect holiness to which we are called (1 Thessalonians 4:7). We’ve got to stop contaminating our spirits. Jesus is coming back soon! And He’s coming for a Church that’s holy! He’s coming for a people who have separated themselves unto Him. He’s coming back for you.

Speak the Word

I cleanse myself from everything that contaminates and defiles my body and spirit. I consecrate myself to God. (2 Corinthians 7:1, amp)