James 4:5-10 says, “5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? 6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “Elohim is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7  Submit therefore to Elohim. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8  Draw near to Elohim and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners[Idiomatic expression for stop doing sin. Our hands represent what we do.]; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [If we purify our hearts we won’t follow through with sin.] 9  Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. [This is speaking of having great remorse concerning our sin.] 10  Humble yourselves in the presence of YHVH, and He will exalt you.”

Isaiah 1:16-20 says, “​16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow. “Let Us Reason” 18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says YHVH, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. 19 “If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land; 20 “But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” Truly, the mouth of YHVH has spoken.”

Psalm 26:1-7 says, “​1  Vindicate me, O YHVH, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in YHVH  without wavering. 2  Examine me, O YHVH, and try me; Test my mind and my heart. 3 For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth.

4 I do not sit with deceitful men, Nor will I go with  pretenders. 5 I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. 6 I shall wash my hands in innocence, and I will go about Your altar, O YHVH, [In order to bring offerings and worship in an honorable way.] 7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving and declare all Your wonders.

Washing hands is a sign of repentance…turning away from sin.  When ones hands are clean it is a declaration that one is innocent of wrong doing.  This is why in Matthew 27:24 Pilate washed his hands before the people. “When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; see to that yourselves.” Pilate was separating himself from anymore involvement in the crucifixion of Yeshua.  This is a pattern for us as well; we also need to wash our hands of any involvement that brings shame and dishonor to our Messiah.

It’s imperative to have the Spirit of YHVH flowing in our lives, as this is what reveals and convicts us of the sin in our lives and gives us the grace to forsake it. In John 16:7-8 Yeshua is speaking, “7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the  Helper [The Holy Spirit] will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;”

Have a blessed and shalom filled day!!

Tammy

Courtesy of

River of Life Tabernacle
Tammy McLendon
Great peace have they who love Your law. Psalm 119:165a