Hi All,
I have been struggling with OCD regarding my clothing being clean. I am sometimes able to control this but recently I was hit with thoughts like these "what If these clothes aren't clean in Gods eyes". This scrouples thought got me. Are clothes clean or unclean in Gods eyes and is there ever a time when God wants us to clean our clothes? Or is this purely human subjective thoughts?
Thanks
Hello, Jesus had said this to the Pharisee's, who were a group of people very intent on trying to follow the law
Matthew 23:26 "Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean."
They tried very hard but had alot of trouble
Matthew 23:24 "You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel."
Luke 12:23 "Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes."
Life is more imprortant than the clothes, we all get dirty whether it is from working labor outside or from working out in the gym. We clean clothes when they get dirty.
If you would like a few simple guidlines here you go:
1. Try to not have any offensive logos on clothing
2. Make sure your clothes cover you up good enough (etc very broken clothing, if you still want to wear such clothing either repair it or use it for pajamas)
3. Clothes that are clean, clean clothes would probably consist of a few things. No blood, sperm, stains, bad odors, hair follicles, major tearing, offensive logos, properly dressed for the weather in a respectful manner, clothes smell good
Please take note that clothing also depends on the situation, if one is going to perform lots of manual labor, such as house chores or yardwork or any type of construction, volunteer, just anything like this, you might wear something different than going to a formal ball.
You should not worry about what you wear, God understands that people need clothes.
Matthew 6:28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin."
Matthew 6:29 "Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these."
God knows you need these things, first seek God and just focus on the inside first. Jesus had told us to first clean the inside of the cup then the outside is clean, you can make yourself acceptable to God not by the clothes you wear but by how you clothe your heart and your faith!
Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
To make a summary of all of this,
Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Faith is what makes you acceptable to God rather than clothing and what is inside of the heart is more important than how clean the clothes are. It is not what goes into a person that makes them unclean, it is what comes out of that person. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, another only eats vegetables, whatever you do, do so for the LORD.
))
