“Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. Of all the land animals, these are the ones you may use for food.’”

Leviticus 11:1–2 (NLT)

Leviticus 11 could be called the unclean chapter. In the first 23 verses, the word “unclean” appears five times, and the word “abomination” (detestable thing) appears seven times. The LORD is talking about clean and unclean foods. While we no longer live under these dietary restrictions (Mark 7:19), we must still discern between what is clean and unclean and between good and evil.

There are many things that are unclean for the believer in Jesus Christ. We have a list of them in Galatians 5:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5:19–21 (ESV)

We could say that these things are “unclean” or an “abomination”. The problem is, haven’t we all done at least one of them? Haven’t we yielded to strife or division? Haven’t we been envious of someone else? Haven’t we indulged in impure thoughts that we would be ashamed to admit? Haven’t we lost our temper (fit of anger) or given way to unbridled lust (sensuality)? The truth is that we have all succumb to works of the flesh because they come from our own evil hearts (Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:20-23).

But God calls us to confront these works of the flesh, confess them, and turn from them. Then by His Spirit and His Word He will help us not touch them.

“Therefore, ‘Come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

2 Corinthians 6:17–18 (NKJV)

Yes, we all need God’s wisdom, grace and power to reject the evil and choose the good. We need His help not to touch anything unclean. This is the process of sanctification. None of us have arrived. None of us have been perfected. But if we are saved, then we desire to turn from these works of the flesh and walk in the Spirit. We desire to be sons and daughters who please our Heavenly Father.

“Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us laws concerning right and wrong and clean and unclean things because you love us. You want to protect us from harm and give us things that are healthy for life and godliness. Help us turn from unclean things that would defile us and be your beloved children–whole in body, mind and spirit. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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