[Acts 15:19-21, 28-29 KJV] “Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: but that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.”
“For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.“
One of the major reasons why many of us are not doing well is pollution. Many of us have lost glory, honour, and dignity as a result of pollutions in the spirit, soul, and body. Without doubt, these pollutions have hindered many from soaring to the heights reserved for them! This is the time to arise and be purged from the pollutions, so that we can move to the place reserved for us.
Aside the three mentioned in Acts 15:20-29; there are other sources of pollution that you must beware of. These are things that steal glory and dignity from many.
Whatever comes out of a man!
The things that pollute men is what come out of the man and the things that enters the heart could potentially trap a man. The Lord teaches that only things that proceed from the heart can pollute a man. Whatever a man eats goes into the belly and is passed out as waste; but the things that proceed out of the heart defiles the man. He went further and gave examples of things that proceed from the heart. In the nutshell, he meant that sin defiles! Sin will rob you of dignity and honour.
“And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: there is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.“
“If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?”
“And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man. (Mark 7:14-23 KJV)
Dead body
Many have lost grace and dignity because of pollutions of dead bodies. In Numbers 19:23ff, we learn that touching a dead body pollutes you.
“Whosoever toucheth the dead body of any man that is dead, and purifieth not himself, defileth the tabernacle of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from Israel: because the water of separation was not sprinkled upon him, he shall be unclean; his uncleanness is yet upon him.”
“This is the law, when a man dieth in a tent: all that come into the tent, and all that is in the tent, shall be unclean seven days. And every open vessel, which hath no covering bound upon it, is unclean. And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days. (Numbers 19:13-16 KJV)
May the water of the word of God, the resurrection power, and the fire of the Holy Ghost purge us from such pollutions in the name of Jesus! Many have been polluted because they have undergone rituals that involve the dead; may the Lord purge you now!
The third things is sex: both Illicit heterosexual and homosexual intercourse of any kinds!
In Acts 15:20 and 29, sexual immorality is mentioned two times. Many have failed to rise and attain unto the heights of glory they are destined for because of the pollutions of sex.
Revelation 14:4 reveals that sex in general defiles. The witness during the tribulation will be men who have not defiled themselves with women. Sex defiles! And illicit sex both pollutes and rob you of honour!
In 1 Timothy 1:10; we are warned about men who defile themselves with mankind. All forms of homosexual intercourse defiles; whether it is sanctioned by the laws of the state or not. Homosexual intercourse defiles and pollutes!
Finally I will speak of Idols, blood and strangled things
“And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: and I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all:”
“and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.” (Ezekiel 37:21-23 KJV)
May the Lord deliver you from the pollutions of Idols and blood! May you not suffer shame and disgrace as a result of these pollutions in Jesus name! May you recieve an upgrade of status and a total restoration in Jesus name!
Stay blessed!
