Deep Clean: Getting Rid of Shame, Toxic Influences, and UnforgivenessSample

Jesus Makes Us Clean  

Imagine your mind filled with heavy suitcases, labeled with things like, “bitterness,” “unforgiveness,” “mistakes,” and “shame.” Now, imagine throwing out those heavy bags and replacing them with things like “peace,” “love,” “acceptance,” and “salvation.”  

That’s what Jesus came to offer us.  

When we come to Jesus as we are—baggage and all—1 John 1:9 tells us He is faithful and just to cleanse us from our sin. And He doesn’t just clean us up—He makes us new!  

So, as we seek to deep clean our souls from the things that hold us back and weigh us down, know that Jesus Himself is the only way to true, lasting freedom.  

In this life, we will have trouble. Just as we fling off old baggage, new baggage will pop up. But Jesus is with us, and the Holy Spirit is within us, guiding us, teaching us, comforting us, correcting us, and purifying us.  

We get a powerful reminder of this in John 15:3. Jesus is about to fulfill His purpose—dying on the cross for our sins. He’s giving His disciples some final encouragement before this happens, and He reminds them that He’s the Vine—the way to salvation. Then He says this:  

“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to You.” John 15:3 NIV 

Because of who Jesus is and what He’s done for us, we are clean. We are accepted. We are invited into the family of God. All we need to do is accept that invitation. And when we do, we can trust that the Father will continue to prune us, guiding us and helping us become more like Him.  

As you reflect on all of these things, consider how you can make it a regular practice to invite the Holy Spirit to deep clean your soul. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Do what David did. Take some time to ask God to give You a clean heart.  

Just like we mark our calendars to clean our homes, we can carve out time to ask God to renew our minds so that we can begin to know His good, pleasing, and perfect will.  

Pray: God, thank You for sending Jesus to make us clean and new. Show me something new as I prepare to read today. Holy Spirit, guide me and teach me. Open my heart to what You might be saying, and cleanse me of anything that isn’t pleasing to You. I trust You. In Jesus’ name, amen.  

Learn more about deep cleaning your soul in Pastor Craig’s accompanying message series, Deep Clean.