If the defiling mold reappears in the house after the stones have been torn out and the house scraped and plastered, the priest is to go and examine it and, if the mold has spread in the house, it is a persistent defiling mold; the house is unclean. It must be torn down—its stones, timbers and all the plaster—and taken out of the town to an unclean place.

~Leviticus 14:43-45 NIV

Mold is hard to get rid of once it takes hold, and it’s just as dangerous today as it was back in Moses’s time. It can cause many health problems and create an unclean place. The side effects of inhaling mold range from a simple rash to serious diseases, including cancer. A house infected by it may have to be renovated, abandoned, or destroyed.

All of us struggle with sin at some point. It’s why we need Jesus. Thank goodness God had a plan in place for our faults. When we’re indwelled with the Holy Spirit, He convicts us of our sin, causing us to turn from it. Then, He removes it from our lives.

But intentional sin is like mold. It spreads, grows, and causes significant spiritual damage. If we continue to sin and disregard the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we’ll face the consequences. God will eventually expose our hidden sin. We must deal with our spiritual growth and the strong pull of our flesh. Paul addresses this struggle in Romans.

For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

~Romans 7:19-20 NIV

God knows we’re going to fall short. We sometimes cling to unclean things. Therefore, God must break the hold. Just as mold spores spread in areas well-conditioned for their growth, sin is deeply rooted within us.

God will clean us through the power of the Holy Spirit and the blood of Jesus Christ when we recognize our need and turn to Him. When we fully surrender every area of our life, He will give us a spit-shine in every crook and cranny. His powerful grace is enough for any unclean place.

Reflect on a time God lavished grace in your life.

Heavenly Father, help me to turn from sin and not grieve You with intentional sin. In Jesus’ powerful name, Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: An Unclean Place: Melinda Cooper: All Rights Reserved.