Every day I remove the remnants of nature from my pond. But twice a year I clean my pond filters. Now, friend, I want you to know that there are few things in this world that stink worse than the black mucky stuff that settles in the bottom of pond filters.

Similarly, Disciples ought to clean the filth out of their lives. The easy way is to ask God to remove filth from our lives.

However, in Ephesians 4:31 we read: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice” (Eph.4:31).

By saying “let all” these sins “be put away”, Paul’s issuing a passive command. That means God will remove these 6 sins – but only once we have loosened our grip on them.

For instance, imagine going to the dentist for an annual cleaning and then refusing to open your mouth? We must do our part so that the dentist can start the cleaning process – right? But what a difference a cleaning can make. Our teeth look so much cleaner and our breath is minty fresh.

Likewise, clean Disciples can be seen. “As beloved children” they are to “walk in love” as “imitators of God” (Eph.5:1-2). And clean Disciples even smell good. Like Christ, they become “a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph.5:2).  

But this must be followed up by daily cleaning and a refusal to reintroduce stinky sin. That means Disciples ought to have nothing to do with disgusting, stinky sins. Ephesians 5:3–4 (ESV) — 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

After struggling through a dark season of stinking sin, David finally cries out: Psalm 51:10–12, 17 (ESV) — 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Dear Father in Heaven, as we let go of sinful habits in our lives, please renew a right spirit within us. In Jesus name, Amen.