How many times have you heard the statement, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”? If that statement is true, many of us are in trouble! But let’s forget about the piles of laundry, the dirty dishes in the sink, and the toilets that need scrubbing. Instead think about spirirtual cleanliness.
I’ve realized that sin is like the buildup on my hand mirror. Everyday activities of applying makeup and styling hair causes a buildup of dust and hair spray on my mirror. Its such a gradual process that I grow accustomed to the distorted view and continue to use the same mirror day after day without noticing the barrier that is building up between me and my reflection. Eventually it becomes so noticeable that something must be done. Once it has been cleaned, I’m always amazed at how much more clearly I can see my reflection and wonder how I could see anything before.
In the same way, unconfessed sin in our life builds up and gradually creates a barrier between us and God. We don’t even realize how its affecting our relationship with Him because its such a slow process. Our lives may still reflect Him on the outside when others see us going to church and doing “Christian” things, but the reality is we can no longer see God clearly. We are reading the same Bible, but don’t hear from God when reading the scripture. We continue to pray, but feel God doesn’t hear those prayers. We are looking into the same mirror, but it is covered with the grime of unconfessed sin.
The good news is that cleanup is easy. 1 John1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” It doesn’t matter how much sin is distorting our view of God, He can clean it up. Isaiah 1:18 says, “No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool.” Once we confess those sins, the barrier between us and God is removed, and we can once again see God clearly.
When our life mirror is clean, our relationship with God will be pure. So yes, cleanliness IS next to Godliness.
strengthrenewed.blog 
Great analogy!
I’m also taking it literally though and going to check my hand mirror right now, lol!
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Lol I probably need to check mine too! Thanks for visiting and following my blog.
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Hi Tresa. I love this post. The analogy of the mirror is brilliant. Its so true that we let all the life dust distort our reflection of God in our lives. You have really made me think about cleaning up my ‘life mirror’.
God bless
Tracy
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Tracy,
Its amazing how God uses such simple objects to teach us about our relationship with Him! Thanks for stopping by.
Tresa
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Hi Tresa,
I run into that barrier too often. Love that verse in Isaiah! This will be something I remember every time I look in the mirror. I’m thinking I will put that verse on a note card and tape it up.
Blessings in Him…Chelle
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Great idea Chelle! I need to do the same thing!
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This is a great analogy! I’ll have to use this sometime when I’m teaching. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for checking out my blog, and I’m glad you found something you could use! 🙂
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Love this post, Tresa! Now, every time my hand mirror needs a good cleaning, I’ll be reminded to keep things clear between me and the Lord! Enjoyed your blog.
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Thanks Jan! Its funny the things God speaks to us through when we are listening. My mirror is now a frequent reminder to clean up my life. Thanks for reading!
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Great analogy Tresa. Unconfessed sin dulls our spiritual senses, and keeps our relationship with God from becoming the enlightening experience it’s meant to be. 🙂
Have a Blessed Day!
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Phil,
Thanks for the encouraging words and for stopping by my blog again!
Tresa
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This is so true!
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