Lesson 40 How Can We Be Clean in God’s Eyes?
[Image:] A man washing his hands with soap and water.
[Press play to hear the MP3 of the Lesson]
Imagine a loving mother getting her little boy ready for school. She makes sure that he has bathed and that his clothes are neat and clean. This keeps him healthy and shows others that his parents are taking good care of him. Similarly, our loving Father, Jehovah, wants us to be clean - both physically and morally. When we are clean, we benefit ourselves and bring honor to him.
1. How can we be physically clean?
Jehovah tells us: “You must be holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)
[Quotation] 1 Peter 1:16: for it is written: “You must be holy, because I am holy.” [End Quotation]
Holiness is related to physical and moral cleanness. We can be physically clean by bathing regularly and by keeping our clothes, home, and vehicle neat and clean. We can also help clean our Kingdom Hall. By keeping physically clean, we bring honor to Jehovah. (2 Corinthians 6:3 and 4)
[Quotation] 2 Corinthians 6:3 and 4: In no way are we giving any cause for stumbling, so that no fault may be found with our ministry; but in every way we recommend ourselves as God’s ministers, by the endurance of much, by tribulations, by times of need, by difficulties, [End Quotation]
2. To be clean, what habits should we avoid?
The Bible urges us to “cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)
[Quotation] 2 Corinthians 7:1: Therefore, since we have these promises, beloved ones, let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. [End Quotation]
Thus, we strive to avoid anything that would damage our body or our mind. Our thoughts should please Jehovah, so we do our best to reject improper thoughts. (Psalm 104:34)
[Quotation] Psalm 104:34: Let my thoughts be pleasing to him. I will rejoice in Jehovah. [End Quotation]
We also strive to use clean speech. Read Colossians 3:8.
[Read scripture] Colossians 3:8: But now you must put them all away from you: wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech, and obscene talk out of your mouth. [End of Read scripture]
What else could make us physically or morally unclean? Some substances can contaminate our body. Therefore, we avoid such things as tobacco, the chewing of betel nut or coca leaves, and the recreational use of drugs. By avoiding these, we are healthier and we show respect for the gift of life. We also strive to be morally clean by fighting against the unclean practices of masturbation and of viewing pornography. (Psalm 119:37; Ephesians 5:5)
[Quotation] Psalm 119:37: Turn my eyes away from looking at what is worthless; Preserve me alive in your way. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Ephesians 5:5: For you know this, recognizing it for yourselves, that no sexually immoral person or unclean person or greedy person, which means being an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of the Christ and of God. [End Quotation]
It can be difficult to overcome these habits, but Jehovah can help us to do so. Read Isaiah 41:13.
[Read scripture] Isaiah 41:13: For I, Jehovah your God, am grasping your right hand, The One saying to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.’ [End of Read scripture]
Dig Deeper
Consider how being physically clean honors Jehovah, and see how to overcome unclean practices.
3. Physical cleanness honors Jehovah
We can perceive Jehovah’s view of cleanness by examining his commands to ancient Israel. Read Exodus 19:10 and 30:17 through 19, and then discuss the questions that follow:
[Read scripture] Exodus 19:10: Then Jehovah said to Moses: “Go to the people and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and they must wash their clothing. [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] Exodus 30:17 through 19: Jehovah spoke further to Moses, saying: “Make a copper basin and its stand for washing; then place it between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water into it. Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and their feet there. [End of Read scripture]
What do these verses reveal about Jehovah’s view of physical cleanness?
What good habits will help you remain physically clean?
Being physically clean takes time and effort. But we can do so no matter where we live or what our financial circumstances are. Play the video God Loves Clean People (4:10), and then discuss the question that follows.
[Disclaimer: The following video is created by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; however, the audio description has been added by independent blind and sighted volunteers to assist those who are blind or have low vision]
[Click for Transcript]|[God Loves Clean People]
[At home in his room a brother stands in front of the mirror fixing his tie, then reaches down to grab his service bag from a chair]
Brother: I graduated high school that summer and wanted to start regular pioneering. That's my dad, Grayson,
[Outside dad closes the hood of his clean red car]
dad was having car trouble that morning and needed a ride to work So I gave him one
[the brother opens the driver's door of his dirt covered blue car then walks to the back and opens the trunk]
Okay, my car was a little messy and smelly
[dad gets in the car and looks around then closes the door and gets black goo on his fingers. The brother closes his trunk]
I mean it was winter and my car is pretty old anyway, so why bother, when I get a new car then I'll keep it clean
[dad looks at the junk in the back seat]
But he was making a big deal out of nothing
[as the brother sits in the driver's seat dad gestures vigorously shaking his head in disgust]
That morning
[with a scowl he points]
was not good.
[The brother starts the car, and they drive away. At home the brother sits at the dinner table]
I thought it was over
[he reads from the Bible]
But later that evening dad brought it up again but this time it went better
[with the Bible dad joins him]
He showed me a picture of his first car. It looked pretty old too.
[He looks at the picture]
He said that while her home or car may not be fancy or luxurious It should be as clean and presentable as circumstances allow. I still didn't see what the big deal was
[he crosses his arms]
Then he explained that Jehovah is a clean guy and from ancient times has always required that his people be a clean people
[He uncrosses his arms]
under the mosaic law that Jehovah gave to Israel cleanness and worship were inseparable
[He imagines the priests washing]
it specified that priests were required to wash their hands and feet before offering sacrifices to Jehovah, while in an unclean state and Israelite could not have any part in worship or it could mean death
[Back to the table]
I said ‘I'm not an Israelite and we're not under the mosaic law anymore’
[dad calmly nods]
He said, “True, but it gives us insight into Jehovah's thinking. The law emphasized that cleanness was required of all those who worshiped him, and as Malachi 3:6 tells us, Jehovah has not changed.”
[Alone in his room, the brother sits on his bed]
Then he said something that really stuck with me.
[He looks around]
Besides, it's not all about us.
[At his desk, he opens the Bible]
Then he gave me a scripture to look up. It was 2 Corinthians 6:3, and 4. ‘And no way are we giving any cause for stumbling so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but in every way, we recommend ourselves as God's ministers.’
[Tilting his head slightly to the side, he gazes down at the Bible, then to the car keys laying on the desk]
I realized that things like our appearance, our homes, and our cars, these can all be a solid witness to Jehovah in themselves. It made sense to me now. It's not all about us. I knew what I had to do.
[He closes his Bible, sits back, then gets up]
Not only did I clean my car, but later that year, I was able to turn in my application for pioneering.
[On a bright sunny day, dad peeks in smiling as the brother vacuums his car]
And I'm glad for the lesson I learned from my dad. It's not all about us.
[In service, a group gets out of his now clean, shiny car]
Even in little ways, we can reflect favorably on the God we love.
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2019 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
How does keeping our belongings neat and clean dignify our preaching work?
4. Conquer bad habits
If you smoke or use drugs recreationally, you may know how difficult it is to conquer the habit. What can help? Consider how the habit affects you. Read Matthew 22:37 through 39, and then discuss how tobacco or the misuse of drugs affects ...
a person’s friendship with Jehovah.
a person’s family and others around him.
[Read scripture] Matthew 22:37 through 39: He said to him: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. The second, like it, is this: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ [End of Read scripture]
Make a plan to conquer a bad habit. * Play the video Exercising Self-Control (2:47).
[Disclaimer: The following video is created by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; however, the audio description has been added independently to assist those who are blind or have low vision]
[Click for Transcript]|[Exercising Self-Control]
[At a restaurant, a man in a chef coat chops tomatoes and carrots, shakes a skillet over a fire, and rings a bell as he places the plate in a serving window. Standing outside with co-workers, he laughs and chats as he smokes a cigarette. Walking down a sidewalk with a cigarette behind his ear, he stops at a literature display. A brother shows him a video from a tablet, and the man slowly nods as he views the video. At his home, the man is having a personal Bible study. As his Bible teacher reads from his tablet, the man peers into a Bible, then at his ashtray, lighter, and box of cigarettes on the coffee table. At the Kingdom Hall, his teacher helps him follow along on his cell phone. At home, looking at the ashtray, he decidedly throws his cigarettes in the trash can. Wearing a suit at the Kingdom Hall, he raises his hand to comment. In the ministry he shares a contact card with the man. Now, at a work break, a co -worker lights a cigarette]
Student: I really thought that this was behind me.
[His eyebrows furrow, and he looks down]
I haven’t smoked in nearly a year.
[Takes a deep breath]
But every day at lunch this happens, and the cravings get so intense.
[At the Kingdom Hall the Bible teacher looks at the empty chair next to him. Meanwhile, the student cooks at the restaurant. Looking at his watch, he shakes his head. He picks up a Bible]
But maybe this is just a symptom of other areas in my life where I haven’t been as focused as I should be.
[Setting the Bible aside, he picks up a music magazine. At night, he plays video games. In the morning, he receives a text. Are you still coming? At the Kingdom Hall, picking up a literature display, his teacher sees his reply, "No." And he looks up, exasperated. Now, back at work]
I keep thinking about the scripture at 1 Corinthians 9:25: “Now everyone competing in a contest exercises self-control in all things.”
[At home, he turns off the TV]
If I'm going to continue to exercise control with this,
[picks up his Bible]
I need to be exercising it in other areas too,
[In the ministry]
which means getting back to a good spiritual routine.
[At the restaurant, he prepares a plate, puts it in the window, and looks at his watch. Now, at the Kingdom Hall from the platform, he reads from the Bible. On a lunch break, he sits far from his co-workers. Looking in the distance, he contently smiles]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2017 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
[Footnote] * “How to Quit Smoking,” listed in the Explore section of this lesson, explains practical steps that can be taken to overcome addictions. [End of footnote]
Read Philippians 4:13, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] Philippians 4:13: For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power. [End of Read scripture]
How can a good routine of prayer, Bible study, and meeting attendance give a person the power to conquer a bad habit?
[Image:] A person throwing cigarettes into a trash can. Caption: Jehovah can help us to conquer any bad habit
5. Fight against unclean thoughts and practices
Read Colossians 3:5, and then discuss the questions that follows:
[Read scripture] Colossians 3:5: Deaden, therefore, your body members that are on the earth as respects sexual immorality, uncleanness, uncontrolled sexual passion, hurtful desire, and greediness, which is idolatry. [End of Read scripture]
How do we know that pornography, sexting, and masturbation are unclean in Jehovah’s eyes?
Do you think that it is reasonable for Jehovah to expect us to be morally clean? Why?
Find out how to fight against unclean thoughts. Play the video Take Action to Remain Clean (1:51).
[Disclaimer: The following video is created by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; however, the audio description has been added independently to assist those who are blind or have low vision]
[Click for Transcript]|[Take Action to Remain Clean]
[Reclining in his chair with his feet propped up, a brother sits alone in his living room with cell phone in hand. As he scrolls, he is focused intently on the screen]
Brother 1: My phone was a door to just about everything. But that door opened to some places I shouldn’t have gone.
[His eyebrows furrow]
At first, I thought, ‘It’s not pornography, so it’s OK.’ But still, what I was seeing filled my mind with immoral thoughts,
[At night he remains fixated on the phone]
and I couldn’t stop.
[Morning, still glued to phone]
Brother 2: Galatians 6:7, 8 reads:
[At the meeting]
‘Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a person is sowing, this he will also reap.’
Brother 1: Reap what you sow.
[Thoughtfully, he looks down and follows in his Bible]
Reap what you sow. I was sowing unclean desires,
[With glistening eyes, he looks up]
and reaping a double heart,
[and slightly nods]
desensitized to things Jehovah hates.
[Later, on his couch at home, still in his suit, he sits with his Bible open, thumbing through the pages]
“Turn my eyes away from looking at what is worthless.” It wasn’t just whether an image is considered pornography. Anything that stirs up unclean thoughts is worthless, and I should turn my eyes away.
[Closing the Bible, he picks up his cell phone]
But I had to do more.
[Which shows the words unsubscribe and yes or no. He chooses yes, the word goodbye flashes, and the app is deleted]
Those weren’t just the psalmist’s words
[He sets down his phone and picks up his Bible]
they had to be my words, words I’ve had to act on ever since to stay loyal to Jehovah.
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2016 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
Jesus used an illustration to show that we must act decisively to stay morally clean. Read Matthew 5:29 and 30, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] Matthew 5:29 and 30: If, now, your right eye is making you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you. For it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be pitched into Gehenna. Also, if your right hand is making you stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to land in Gehenna. [End of Read scripture]
Although Jesus was not suggesting that we harm ourselves physically, he did indicate that we need to take action. What kind of decisive action can a person take to avoid unclean thoughts? * [Footnote] * For help to overcome the habit of masturbation, see “How Can I Conquer the Habit of Masturbation?” in the book Questions Young People Ask, Answers That Work, Volume 1, chapter 25. [End of footnote]
If you are fighting to overcome unclean thoughts, Jehovah values your efforts. Read Psalm 103:13 and 14, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] Psalm 103:13 and 14: As a father shows mercy to his sons, Jehovah has shown mercy to those who fear him. For he well knows how we are formed, Remembering that we are dust. [End of Read scripture]
If you are struggling with an unclean habit, how does this scripture encourage you to keep fighting?
[Box] A Relapse Does Not Mean Defeat!
It could be easy to think, ‘I failed, so I may as well give up.’ But think about this: Just because a runner stumbles and falls, it does not mean that he has lost the race, nor does he have to start the race over again. Similarly, a relapse does not mean that you have lost the fight against overcoming the bad habit. Nor does it erase all the progress you have already made. Relapses are normal, they are part of the road to recovery. Don’t give up! With Jehovah’s help, you can conquer the bad habit. [End of box]
[Image:] A runner in a race getting up after a fall.
[Box]
Some People Say: “I’m addicted. I can’t stop.” What scripture could you use to show the person that with Jehovah’s help he can stop a bad habit? [End of box]
Summary
We please Jehovah by keeping our body, our mind, and our conduct clean.
Review
Why is it so important to be clean?
How can you be physically clean?
How can you keep your thoughts and your conduct clean?
Goal
Ask Jehovah to help you identify one aspect of your life where you could improve in being clean. Set Other Goals
Explore
What simple things can you do to be physically clean even if your resources are limited? Health and Hygiene—Handwashing (3:01)
[Click for transcript]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
Discover practical steps you can take to stop smoking “How to Quit Smoking” (Awake!, May 2010)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
Examine the effects of pornography. “Pornography—Harmless or Toxic?” (The Watchtower, August 1, 2013)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
Find out how one man overcame his addiction to pornography. “I Failed Many Times Before I Succeeded” (The Watchtower Number 4 2016)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]