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Matthew 15:11 Cleansing from Defilement

As we began chapter 15, we found that Matthew recorded what seemed like a fairly innocuous question on
the part of the scribes and the Pharisees, concerning the disciples of Jesus failing to wash their hands before
eating.

But by the reaction of Jesus to the question; His scathing rebuke of the religious rulers as hypocrites; and
His determination to immediately and definitively correct their erroneous teaching with the Jewish crowd
that was trailing Him - it was made apparent to us that this was some serious false teaching.

The handwashing was not an issue of sanitation, but of ritual purity - and the religious rulers taught it as a
means of attaining spiritual purity, before God - so as to be accepted by Him; so as to be fit, for the
presence of God. False teaching, indeed.

Nonetheless, we might still be inclined to dismiss this passage, as a relic of the past. I mean, we have the
expression, “Cleanliness is next to godliness”; but certainly, people don’t still think that handwashing is a
means of purifying oneself before God.

That’s a thing of the past, right? Wrong. It is still practiced within Judaism. And at least two other major
religions practice ceremonial handwashing as a means of purifying oneself before God (Islam, Sikhism).

And clearly, the issue is not just about the washing of hands, is it? It extends to the concept of “holy water”
- for example, that water which has been blessed by a priest can render a worshiper fit to enter a church
building, for a religious service.

And that same “holy water” is used to baptize infants - supposedly in order to remove “original sin” - by
which is meant, the sin of Adam. Can any water do that? How can water, a physical substance, wash away
sin, which is spiritual defilement?

We can begin to see that the issue is even greater than this. It’s not just about handwashing; it’s not just
about holy water. It’s about any religious ritual - any ritual at all - which a person performs, thinking it
somehow sanctifies him - that it somehow removes or offsets his sin, increasing his acceptability to God.

Sin cannot be removed or offset, by any religious ritual - whether from the traditions of men, or even from
the ceremonial Law of Moses. Sin requires an act of God, to be put away. And God has acted, in Christ, to
do just that.

Through one man’s offense - Adam’s - judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation (Rm 5:18a).
The entire human race was brought into condemnation, by the one sin of Adam. Why? Because God knew
we’d be just like him - Adam was the prototype. The human race is lawless; it only took one man
expressing it in outward disobedience, for God to condemn the whole lot of us.

But the good news is that through one Man’s righteous act - the Man, Christ Jesus - His death on the cross,
as our substitute - the free gift came. What was that free gift? Righteousness, availed to every man - by
which they are justified - freed from all charges of sin. That was the act of God, that put sin away - once
and for all. The result is justification of life - eternal life with God, as glorified, righteous sons (Rm 5:18b).

So what does a man need to do, in order to receive that free gift? Is there some ritual, or work, required on
the part of man? Now before you answer, let’s see what Paul had to say, as he begins his discussion of
sanctification, in his letter to the Romans.
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Turn to Romans chapter 6. This is surely a very familiar passage to you. Paul shows how the work that
Christ did on the cross comes into effect, for a man - what you must do. Paul shows this as he begins his
discussion about how to not sin.

[Romans 6:1-4]

6:1-4 The “we” here are “as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus”. There it is - what you have to
do, in order to have your sin washed away.

Is this a water baptism? No; there’s no mention of baptizing in water; instead you’re baptized into a person
- who is it? Christ Jesus. And Paul says further, you’re baptized into His death.

Now, how do you go and do that? You can’t “do” it, can you? Clearly this is a spiritual baptism; the
Father baptizes you in His Son; in the work that the Son accomplished, on the cross.

But how does a person enter into that work? You know the answer to that. By faith. By believing into the
Person and work of Christ, you are united with Him. God now sees you now as in Christ - you are
immersed in His death, by which you died out of that old creation, in Adam. And that’s how you were
justified; freed from the penalty of sin; the condemnation due, for it.

United to Christ, you were buried with Him - separated from life, on earth; crucified to this world system,
to its lusts and desires (Gal 6:14); you died to sin. Here we see the picture of our sanctification - freed from
the power of sin; set apart from the world, devoted to God and His purposes.

Sanctification is what the rest of your life on earth is all about; you are being sanctified. But in Christ, God
sees it as an accomplished work; you are already free from sin’s power; pure and holy.

And one day, just as Christ was raised from the dead as the glorified Son of God, we also will be raised in
glorified bodies. We already have the life of that body, in our earthen vessels - eternal life - by which we
can, and should choose to walk, here and now - in the new life, that Christ died to give us.

It’s a choice - to live our righteousness - but Paul makes it clear that it is how we should always choose to
live - as if we are already glorified; past sin - which is how the Father sees us.

Most of us know this passage well - very well. But how many of us are experiencing what is recorded by
Paul, here?

What Paul states are spiritual truths: From the eternal perspective, in heaven, you are in Christ, and
therefore you are justified, sanctified and glorified. From the perspective of time, this is being worked out,
in your life - and we should be walking, in newness of life - as Paul indicates. But sometimes, we don’t, do
we?

Not that the Father doesn’t give us help, with that walk. After all, we’re walking in newness of life - our
new life, in Christ Jesus - and that means - it’s all new, to us!

So God provides us with a Helper - who is that? The Spirit of Christ; the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit
comes and dwells in each person, the moment they put their faith in Christ (Rm 8:9-10, 1 Cor 6:19).
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The Spirit guides the believer in the truth (Jn 14:26, 15:26, 16:13) - Paul will later say that the Spirit leads
the sons of God (Rm 8:14), in their new life - showing them the way, teaching them how to walk in it. And
as we follow the Spirit’s leading, putting our new life into effect, we do not walk according to the flesh.
You can’t walk two ways at once, can you?

No, you can’t; but it’s always a choice, which way you will walk, isn’t it? Moment by moment, you
choose. And that’s been the choice of every believer, down through the entire church age.

Sometimes, we struggle with that choice; sometimes we choose to walk according to the flesh, and - we
sin. What happens when we do that?

Well, we know there is now - as believers - NO condemnation, to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rm 8:1).
The death of Jesus was efficacious for all sin, for all time.

Having believed into Jesus as Lord, we have been completely forgiven, and reconciled to the Father. We
confess our sin, and He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
(1 Jn 1:9). Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rm 8:39).

But sin can make us feel separate. When we are not walking with the Lord, we have a sense of distance
from Him - a distance we create, through our sin - for sin causes a lapse in our fellowship, with the Lord. It
can make Him seem far away. Continuing in sin can generate a lack of intimacy and involvement, with
God.

And then there are those sins that we have struggled with, repeatedly. Perhaps it’s a habit, carried over
from the old life, that we’ve had difficulty overcoming; like being late. Perhaps a character flaw, such as a
short fuse.

Such ongoing sin brings with it a sense of defeat and failure. We begin to wonder if we really, really have
the ability to overcome THAT particular sin. And we wonder if maybe we are missing something - some
additional knowledge from God’s Word; something we don’t understand, about how to overcome sin;
THAT sin.

Do you believe that the cross gives power over all sin - or just some? All - right? And, is the righteousness
that Jesus gave to you - the very righteousness of God - is it able to overrule all unrighteousness, in your
life? All, right?

But you don’t seem to have the answer as to how to overcome a certain sin, in your life. Who has your
answer, as to your particular problem, with sin? The Lord has it. Well, is this something you could then
expect the Holy Spirit, whose work it is to sanctify you, to reveal to you? Yes. And to guide you in? Yes
again.

We can see where the answer lies; that’s the way, to have victory over all sin. But this resolution is not
always so readily obtained. There can be obstacles, to overcome; an unwillingness on the part of the
believer, to completely give up a particular sin; an unwillingness on the part of the believer, to cooperate
with God and do things God’s way. The obstacles come from the believer - the one seeking to be
sanctified!

In such situations, progress in sanctification is being sabotaged by the believer himself; by his own
willfulness. Yet he may deceive himself into thinking that he just needs to approach it all a different way.
He resorts to his own devices; the advice of other believers; a how-to book; even world-sourced solutions.
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In fact, in our day, there is a new teaching that is designed to help the believer achieve the sanctification he
is seeking; to bring him closer to God; to enhance his spiritual experience.

Sometimes it is called the spiritual formation movement; or the spiritual disciplines; or contemplative
spirituality. The idea is that if we perform certain practices, we can be more like Jesus; and therefore we
will live a sanctified life - even experience God’s presence, and develop a closer relationship with Him.
That sounds intriguing, doesn’t it?

These so-called spiritual disciplines include contemplative prayer, which is actually the suppression of the
conscious mind through eastern-style meditation, in order to achieve a mystical spiritual state.

The spiritual disciplines also include ascetic practices such as fasting, for the purpose of enhancing the
intensity of spiritual experiences; also silence and solitude - isolation from the world and society, intended
to promote one’s relationship with God.

Good works are also promoted - service to others, with a special focus on social justice and world peace.
These are just a few selective components. All of the practices are described with language we find in
God’s Word, and are even put forth with Bible verses that appear to support the practices.

This teaching of spiritual formation has created confusion, for believers - because it is a subtle deception.
Believers recognize the terminology from their Scriptures. For instance, we are to meditate on God’s
Word; Scripture certainly mentions fasting and prayer, and emphasizes serving others.

So how do we know that spiritual formation is not in accordance with God’s Word, and that it isn’t a means
of attaining sanctification - power over sin?

Let’s look at it from the perspective of the lesson we learned, last week. The religious rulers called out the
disciples of Jesus for not washing their hands before eating. It was Jesus who expanded the whole issue to
a denunciation of the rulers - teaching, as doctrines of God, the commandments of men (Mt 15:3-9) - man-
made disciplines.

These commandments of men were the religious traditions the Pharisees taught, holding them up as equal
in authority to the Law, as a means by which men can be sanctified. Can you see the parallel with the
spiritual disciplines? They are also practices devised by men, as a means of sanctification.

The Pharisees were particularly concerned with external, ceremonial worship - that which is done with and
through the body. They upheld certain rituals as a means of sanctifying a man; as a means of drawing
closer to God.

This is not much different than the spiritual formation movement being promoted today. Most of its
disciplines are also external, involving things that the believer does in and through his body, which he
himself implements and practices.

Spiritual formation is man-driven; the believer is attempting to sanctify himself. This supplants the work of
the Holy Spirit in his life.

And the substitute is a counterfeit - because they are traditions of men, they have no power to deliver from
sin. Christ is and always will be our Deliverer, both from the penalty and from the power of sin; man
cannot deliver himself.
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Meanwhile, the practitioner of contemplative prayer in this movement exposes himself to the spiritual
realm, with its demonic influences, through his practice of meditation - all the while thinking he is
encountering the very presence of God. It is a powerful deception.

Spiritual formation may seem like a new teaching, for the generations of believers alive today. But it is
actually rooted in ancient Catholic mysticism, with its ascetic practices.

We even find evidence of these types of practices further back - in some of the writings of the New
Testament. Paul wrote of a similar false teaching, in his letter of warning to the Colossian assembly.

Turn to Colossians chapter 2. In many of the letters of the NT, we find the apostles exhorting believers
concerning their sanctification - both because it is the will of God, for all believers (1 Th 4:3), but also
because it is hard work which requires perseverance (Gal 5:1, 6:9).

In fact, several letters make it evident that believers struggled with being sanctified, just as we do. That’s
one of the reasons we’re called overcomers; there’s a lot to overcome - right within ourselves!

Well, the believers in Colosse were struggling with ongoing sin, and it made them feel defeated, and distant
from God. This caused them to question whether they had really obtained all the fullness of God, through
Christ.

So when some false teachers blew into town with a new wind of doctrine - one that offered a mystical
experience of the presence of God - many in the Colossian assembly embraced it. Through the warnings of
Paul in the letter, we see elements of this false teaching. Let’s look first at verse 8.

[Colossians 2:8] “Philosophy” generally refers to the doctrine and tenets of pagan Greek philosophers, but
the word just meant any thinking regarding God, the world, and the meaning of life. Paul is using it here to
describe the religious thinking of the false teachers, the supposed “higher knowledge” that one must
acquire, to experience God in all of His fullness.

Paul writes that this philosophy is in accordance with the tradition of men, which Paul intended as a
contrast to teaching that is sourced in God and His Word.

Here, Paul is applying it to what the false teachers are attempting to hand down to their would-be disciples
in Colosse, which we will see involved legalistic and ascetic practices. These practices held out the false
prospect of controlling the flesh - creating a man-made restraint, upon one’s life.

Paul also indicates that this philosophy was in accordance with the basic principles of the world. This
Greek word means elemental forces, or elemental spirits. In this context, it is referring to the powers which
govern the universe.

Paul is referring to the mystical aspect of this false thinking, by which men attempted a heavenly ascent
through powerful angelic mediators, for that higher spiritual experience. This mystical aspect promoted the
illusion of directing the control of external influences, upon one’s life.

Paul is letting the believers know that this philosophy was an empty deceit. It contained hollow, deceptive
ideas, rooted in the thinking of this world. It was powerless to control anything, within or without the
believer’s life. Far from giving believers a fuller experience with God, this philosophy would instead rob
them of their freedom in Christ.
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Now look down in verse 16.

[Colossians 2:16-18, 20-23]

v. 16-17 Because of the mention of Sabbaths, we must take the things mentioned to pertain to conformity
to the Law of Moses; Jewish legalism. So this was another element of the teaching.

v. 18 This is mysticism; illumination to, and acquisition of, a supposedly higher knowledge of things
spiritual and divine. These teachers promoted a mystical ascent through the angelic realm into the presence
of God.

Visions of this sort can be generated through a meditative state. But these are false visions; not the reality
of God, of heaven. They are just an illusion; a deception.

And look at what Paul indicates they promote: not a closer relationship with God, but false humility. The
practitioner is vainly puffed up in his fleshly mind, by his vision; he is filled with pride.

Look down now at verse 20.

v. 20-22 These things - again, just the teaching of men - pertain to dietary restrictions (“do not taste”), and
ceremonial cleanliness (“do not touch, do not handle”).

While legalistic, Paul is using them as examples of ascetic practices; intentionally neglecting the body (v.
23), with the thinking that this will purify the soul.

Asceticism has its roots in mystical thought. In fact, extended fasting can produce an ecstatic state, in the
brain - which the mystic interprets as a spiritual experience with God.

Notice Paul’s concluding statement, to all of these practices - legalism, mysticism, and asceticism.

v. 23 All of these are without value in controlling the lust of the flesh. They are merely traditions of men -
not of God - and give no power over sin.

So we can see that the spiritual formation movement of our day is hardly new; just a repackaging of the
same old teaching that has long been around - the powerless alternative to submitting yourself to God, in
the hard work of sanctification.

But what about those particular sins which we struggle to overcome? If, as Peter wrote, His divine power
has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Christ (2 Pet 1:3), why
the struggle?

In a word - self-will. We have the power we need to overcome all sin - but we must be willing to put the
power into effect, in our lives; the power of righteousness, that will overrule sin. This is a choice, which no
one can make for us; we must make it, ourselves. So the question becomes, what will make us yield to
God?

The answer is right in front of you - assuming you didn’t leave Colossians. Let’s read the first four verses
of chapter 3.
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[Colossians 3:1-4] Remember, Paul ended chapter 2 telling the believers in Colosse that those man-made
traditions won’t help them control their flesh - and have power over sin. Well, this is what does.

When you believed into Christ, you were baptized into His death, buried with Him, and have been raised to
walk - in newness of life. Set your mind there - your conscious mind! - on heavenly things - not on things
of this world.

You choose what you think about. How much time do you spend thinking about Christ - about what He has
done for you, when He came to the earth; about what He is doing for you now that He is in heaven, at the
Father’s right hand? How much time do you spend in His Word - His revelation to us, of who He is?

Submitting ourselves to the Lord to sanctify us is a matter of trust - especially with the tougher things. You
won’t entrust yourself to someone who you don’t know well. Spend more time getting to know your Lord,
through His Word.

And the more you do, the more you will grow in your love for Him. That’s how your faith works - how it is
activated, in all of its power - through love (Gal 5:6). Through the love of Christ, you are filled with all the
fullness of God (Eph 3:19), so that you can walk worthy of your calling (Eph 4:1) - and live a sanctified
life.

Then, a reminder from Paul - you died - and now, your life is hidden with Christ in God. You died out of
that old creation in Adam; that’s past, so don’t try to go back there.

Now, you’re a new creation in Christ - so reckon it so; count on it. Purpose in your heart to live there every
moment of every day; to put into effect all the power of righteousness, that Christ has already given to you.
He completely conquered sin on the cross, and rendered it powerless, in your life (Rm 8:3-4). Believe in
what He has done for you - and conduct yourself accordingly.

And this is something that should help you do that - what Paul says in verse 4 - your glorious future. Christ
- our very life - will return, and gather up His beloved bride - a church of glory - and take her with Him to
their heavenly home.

Don’t you want to be ready - more ready than you are today? Keep looking toward that glorious future - to
His return for us - and draw inspiration for how you live your life from this moment on - and walk in
obedience to your Lord.

This walk is just a matter of following the leading of the Holy Spirit within you, exercising the power of the
righteousness that Christ has given to you. And it’s the only way to make strides in being sanctified -
having power over sin.

Paul showed this to the Galatian assemblies, who were also struggling with sanctification. Turn to
Galatians chapter 5. Paul has just warned the Galatians not to let anyone deprive them of their liberty in
Christ, by putting them under the Law.

[Galatians 5:16-23]

V. 16-18 The Galatian believers thought that the Law could be used to sanctify them - to keep sin in check.
Paul has shown in his letter that this is not so. The Law cannot justify a man, nor can it sanctify a man; The
Law just gives the knowledge to men that they’re sinners, when they break it.
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Paul shows that instead, the way to overrule the flesh is to walk in the Spirit; to follow the Holy Spirit’s
leading, in their lives. The flesh and the Spirit are opposing influences; you can only follow one or the
other, at a time. If you follow the Spirit, you will not fulfill the lust of your flesh.

As Paul continues, he shows why it’s not necessary for these believers to subject themselves to the Law.

v. 19-21 Paul does not intend this as an exhaustive list, but just a catalog of what men do in the flesh.
Notice that some of the things pertain directly to the body, but others to the heart - like envy.

When Paul says that people who practice such things will not enter the kingdom of God, he is speaking
about those who practice them as a way of life - meaning the sons of Adam. Paul calls all of these things
the works of the flesh.

Now he provides a contrast.

v. 22-23 It’s not the work of the Spirit, but what? The fruit of the Spirit. Fruit is something that takes time
to produce, from a good tree with a good root, that is taking in water and sunlight.

That’s the sons of God - rooted in Christ, taking in the Word, taking in the love of God. They grow in the
grace and knowledge of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And as they do, fruit is borne in their lives.

How would you describe this fruit? Is it works? No. These are all qualities of character. Over time, the
Spirit works the character of Christ, into the believer - righteous character. And that righteous character
expresses itself in righteous conduct.

So sanctification can only begin as a work of the Spirit, in the heart - the inner man. And when the heart is
sanctified, there is no need for any external Law, to control behavior - or ritual - or man-made disciplines.

Paul will later say, sow to the Spirit. And don’t grow weary in doing good, for in due season, we shall reap
- if we don’t lose heart (Gal 6:9). In due season. Some things take time. But those are so often the most
worthwhile things, aren’t they?

Reading: Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30.