Topical Bible: Defilement Defile

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Topical Encyclopedia

Defilement in the biblical context refers to the state of being unclean or impure, often in a moral, spiritual, or ceremonial sense. The concept of defilement is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, highlighting the importance of holiness and purity in the life of believers. The term "defile" is used to describe actions or conditions that render a person, object, or place unclean, thereby separating them from the holiness of God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, defilement is frequently associated with the ceremonial laws given to the Israelites. These laws outlined various conditions and actions that could cause defilement, such as contact with dead bodies, certain diseases, and the consumption of unclean foods. Leviticus 11-15 provides detailed instructions on what constitutes defilement and the necessary rituals for purification. For instance, Leviticus 11:44-45 states, "For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming creature that moves on the ground."

Defilement also extends to moral and spiritual dimensions. Idolatry, sexual immorality, and injustice are seen as defiling acts that corrupt the covenant relationship between God and His people. Ezekiel 20:7 warns, "And I said to them, ‘Each of you must throw away the abominations before his eyes, and not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’"

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ redefines the understanding of defilement, emphasizing the internal rather than the external. In Mark 7:15 , Jesus teaches, "Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, but the things that come out of a man, these are what defile him." This shift highlights the importance of the heart's condition over mere ritual observance.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this concept, urging believers to maintain purity in their conduct and thoughts. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 , Paul writes, "Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple." Here, defilement is linked to actions that harm the spiritual integrity of the believer and the community.

Spiritual Implications

Defilement in the biblical sense underscores the need for holiness and separation from sin. It serves as a reminder of the pervasive nature of sin and the necessity of divine grace for purification. The sacrificial system in the Old Testament foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose atoning work cleanses believers from all defilement. Hebrews 9:14 affirms, "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works, so that we may serve the living God!"

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, the call to avoid defilement involves a commitment to live according to God's standards of holiness. This includes guarding one's heart and mind against influences that lead to moral and spiritual impurity. Philippians 4:8 encourages believers to focus on what is true, honorable, and pure: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things."

In summary, defilement in the Bible encompasses both ceremonial and moral aspects, pointing to the need for purity and holiness in the life of God's people. Through Christ, believers are empowered to overcome defilement and live in a manner that reflects the holiness of God.

ATS Bible Dictionary

Defilement Defile

Many were the blemishes of person and conduct that, under the Jewish ceremonial law, were esteemed defilements: some were voluntary; some were inevitable, being defects of nature, others the consequences of personal transgression. Under the gospel, defilements are those of the heart, of the mind, the temper, and the conduct. Moral defilements are as numerous, and as strongly prohibited under the gospel as ever, though ceremonial defilements have ceased, Matthew 15:18 Romans 1:24. See CLEAN.

Strong's Hebrew

1352. goel -- defiling, defilement
... Word Origin from gaal Definition defiling, defilement NASB Word Usage defiled (1).
defile. From ga'al; profanation -- defile. see HEBREW ga'al. 1351, 1352. ...
/hebrew/1352.htm - 6k

2930. tame -- to be or become unclean
... 1), become defiled (3), become unclean (6), becomes unclean (13), becoming unclean
(1), been defiled (2), defile (25), defiled (38), defilement (1), defiles (5 ...
/hebrew/2930.htm - 6k

Library

Things which Defile
... For Him, defilement was badness, a condition of the soul. And therefore meats could
not defile a man, because they did not reach the heart, but only the bodily ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 7 14-23 things which defile.htm

Of True Fasting and Its Reward: Also of Purity of Body.
... See that the thought never arise in your mind that this flesh of yours is corruptible,
and you misuse it by any act of defilement. If you defile your flesh ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/similitude fifth of true fasting.htm

Jesus Fails to Attend the Third Passover.
... from within, and ^a 20 these are the things which defile the man ... These uncleannesses
worked no spiritual defilement, but were merely typical of such; for the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxv jesus fails to attend.htm

Eating with Unwashed Heart Defiles the Man.
... things which proceed out and defile the man do not defile the man because of their
proceeding out of the mouth, but have the cause of their defilement in the ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/15 eating with unwashed heart.htm

Twenty-Fourth Day. Holiness and Cleansing.
... carnal form of sin will enter the spirit, and, dragging it down into partnership
in crime, will defile and degrade it. And so will all defilement of spirit in ...
/.../murray/holy in christ/twenty-fourth day holiness and cleansing.htm

Letter Xlvi. (AD 398. )
... make himself and the crops committed to that man's charge to share the defilement
of that ... I am concerned as to whether this sin does not defile either him who ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xlvi a d 398.htm

Titus i. 14-Dec
... All this caution we ought to exercise towards the things that defile the soul. For
that is uncleanness, that is defilement. None of these things is so. ...
/.../homily iii titus i 14-dec.htm

But the Ways in Our Life which Turn Aside Towards Sin are ...
... be sufficient to condemn her, that she had allowed that one to defile the marriage
bed ... If she were, in some fit of weakness, to admit the defilement to her heart ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xv but the ways.htm

Thus Has the Question Been on Both Sides Considered and Treated...
... own, thou do it not; or whether there be an exception of all bodily defilement. ... of
others, be they what they may, those always excepted which defile him on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 12 thus has the.htm

"And the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son Cleanseth us from all Sin. ...
... if either your daily infirmities trouble, or some grosser pollution defile and waste ...
Who can wash and cleanse here, and presently think of defilement, but with ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xv and the blood.htm