A person is a slave of whatever overcomes him (2 Peter 2:19).
"What comes out of a man is what defiles a man.
For from within, out of the heart of man,
come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder,
adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit,
licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
All these evil things come from within,
and they defile a man."
Mark 7:20-23
For if they, having escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of [our] Lord and savior Jesus Christ, again become entangled and overcome by them, their last condition is worse than their first. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment handed down to them. What is expressed in the true proverb has happened to them, "The dog returns to its own vomit," and "A bathed sow returns to wallowing in the mire" (2 Peter 2:20-22).
These people are waterless springs and mists driven by gale; for them the gloom of darkness has been reserved (2 Peter 2:17).
"I will sprinkle clean water upon you,
and you shall be clean
from all your uncleannesses,
and from all your idols
I will cleanse you."
Ezekiel 36:25
For
Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.
And he stretched out his hand,
and touched him, saying,
"I will; be clean."
Luke 5:12-13
Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.
And he stretched out his hand,
and touched him, saying,
"I will; be clean."
Luke 5:12-13
Weak Conscience
Not all possess this knowledge. But some, through being hitherto accustomed to idols, eat food as really offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled (1 Cor. 8: 4-7).
No other Idol except God
An idol has no real existence, and that "there is no God but one." Therefore, my beloved, shun the worship of idols. I speak as to sensible men; judge for yourselves what I say (1 Cor. 10: 14-15).
Exist for God through Jesus Christ
For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth -- as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords" -- yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread (1 Cor. 10: 16-17).
Everything is Clean for you
While he was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him; so he went in and sat at table. The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner.And the Lord said to him,"Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of extortion and wickedness. You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you."(LUKE 11: 37 - 41)
Consider the people of Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons (1 Cor. 10: 18-21).
Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he (1 Cor. 10:22).?
Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD and stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false,
and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the LORD,
and vindication from the God of his salvation.
(Psalms 24:3-5)
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and whence have they come?" I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:13-14).
Whoever bids other folks to do right, but gives an evil example by acting the opposite way, is like a foolish weaver who weaves quickly with one hand and unravels the cloth just as quickly with the other (St. Thomas More).
When a man is purged of all attachment to things the judgement is left clear as the sky when the mists have dispersed. His joy is not dependent on creatures, for while his heart is set on none of them he possesses them all (St. John of the Cross).
Whoever bids other folks to do right, but gives an evil example by acting the opposite way, is like a foolish weaver who weaves quickly with one hand and unravels the cloth just as quickly with the other (St. Thomas More).
When a man is purged of all attachment to things the judgement is left clear as the sky when the mists have dispersed. His joy is not dependent on creatures, for while his heart is set on none of them he possesses them all (St. John of the Cross).
