Young Adults' Group

The Cleansing Work Of The Word Of God

by Pastor Mark
May 19, 2022

The need for cleansing

All of us should recognise our urgent need for the cleansing of our sins. If our sins remain deeply rooted, they will greatly hinder our study and keeping of the Lord’s Word. The Psalmist recognised his vital need for cleansing as he saw the serious problems in his life.

The context of cleansing

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” (Psalm 119:9)

What is the context of the Psalmist’s cleansing? This is related to the first segment of Psalm 119.

1. Defilement…by sin and transgression, by the ways of the world (Psalm 119:1).
2. Iniquity…it is the evil that lies within, behind sin and transgression (Psalm 119:3).
3. Lack of knowledge…he recognised the great need to be taught and to learn (Psalm 119:7).

Those who need cleansing

1. The Psalmist was reflecting on how the young are in need of cleansing (Psalm 119:9).
2. When he was young, he was greatly affected by sin also.
3. Even as an adult, he was still in need of further cleansing.
4. Both the young and the old require continued cleansing.

Seeking God’s grace and power for cleansing

How can we be cleansed? King David set for us an example of how he sought cleansing.

1. Cleansing of the heart

a. Plea for God’s mercy to be given according to His lovingkindness (Psalm 51:1)
b. Thorough cleansing of sin, transgression and iniquity (Psalm 51:2)
c. Confession of the sins and evil done before the Lord (Psalm 51:3,4)
d. Beyond confession, the Lord is sought to create a clean and new heart (Psalm 51:10)
e. There also comes true humility, a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17)

Let us urgently seek the Lord for His cleansing of our heart.

2. Cleansing of our way of life

a. The Psalmist of Psalm 119 also wrote about the cleansing of his way of life.
b. It included his wrong and improper way of regarding and studying the Scriptures.
c. There was the need for the changing of his way to the Lord’s way.
d. The Lord’s cleansing creates a new way for our life.
e. But the cleansing of our way of life is not an easy thing to resolve…to be addressed.

3. Taking heed to the Word of God (Psalm 119:9)

a. Paying attention
i. It is a challenge to pay close attention to what the Lord’s Word says.
ii. If we are taking heed, we will see ourselves further cleansed.
b. The Lord’s Word shows us how it can cleanse us.
i. Whether it is defilement, iniquity or a lack of knowledge, the Lord can address these specific sins according to His Word.
ii. The Lord’s Word teaches us how to be cleansed and changed.
iii. This is the Lord’s power at work in dealing with the sins in our life.

Let us candidly and diligently seek to be cleansed and changed by the Lord and His Word.

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