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We should often wash our hands for 20 seconds.
My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your word (Psalm 119:25, NASB).
Soap was invented (or discovered) in ancient Babylon around the time the Prophet Daniel lived. Legend describes a piece of meat while roasting, dropped grease upon ashes from the burned wood, and in the morning — viola, a bar of Irish Spring™ soap appeared.
Okay, it’s true a fat and ash mixture did dissolve dirt, and Irish Spring did come later. But let’s understand how soap works.
Millions of particles attach themselves to us daily. Many of them can be washed away with just water, while others resist water. Consider eating a taco, then wash your hands with water and remove the crumbs from your fingers while the soap breaks down the oils in any splattered hot sauce.
Having grandkids who love tacos, I thank God daily for Irish Spring.
But soap doesn’t stop with dirt and oil, as daily we contact millions of pathogens. Fortunately, Irish Spring hand soap, in addition to removing passive dirt and oils, also kills germs by destroying their cellular membranes.
We should wash our hands often for 20 seconds. That’s all it takes.
We should wash our souls daily for 20 minutes.
Your word is very pure, therefore Your servant loves it (Psalm 119:140).
The Word of God existed before the Babylonian Empire and the Prophet Daniel. The Gospel of John tells us that Jesus (God) is the Word! This Word, breathed by the Spirit of God, destroys sin.
And just as there are non-living particles and living organisms collecting all over our skin, we are tempted daily by many active and passive temptations. We don’t need Irish Spring, just Scripture. . .
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11, NLB).
Passive temptation: entices the flesh with lust, wealth, and pride. This temptation (not living) results from our eyes seeing and thinking about the things of this world. Active temptation: living demons (perhaps millions of them) work their enticement into our lives through faulty ideas, direct attacks, possessions, and oppressions.
Both passive and active enticements cannot be resisted by the flesh, but they can easily be defeated by the Word. This is why the Psalmist writes. . .
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105, NLT).
We should cleanse our souls daily by meditating on God’s Word for 20 minutes.
Conclusion:
Let’s wash our hands and clean our souls regularly. And while Irish Spring is my favorite soap — Palmolive™, Dove™, and Zest™ work, too.