Clean Hands, Clean Heart
Leviticus 11:1–8, 44–45
Introduction:
Have you noticed how obsessed we’ve become with cleanliness and purity—especially in recent years? Walk into any store, and you’ll find rows of hand sanitizers, antibacterial wipes, gluten-free labels, organic stamps, and “clean” eating guides. There’s a cultural awareness—an almost instinctive drive—to monitor what goes into our bodies and how we protect ourselves from contamination.
How many of you have ever stood in a grocery store aisle, turning over a box or bottle to read the label? You’re checking ingredients, scanning for allergens, or making sure something is organic, gluten-free, or sugar-free.
But while we’re vigilant about what we consume physically, we often give little thought to what we consume spiritually. We think about cholesterol, but not character. We check for sugar, but not sin. We screen for allergens, but not attitudes.
Long before hand sanitizer, antibactical soaps, nutrition labels or Whole30 diets, God was already teaching His people to pay attention to cleanliness. He was already addressing the importance to be guarded about what we consume—and why.
Leviticus 11 reminds us that God has always cared about what enters our lives—not because He’s picky, but because He’s holy. At first glance, this chapter may seem like a confusing dietary manual. No pigs, no shellfish, no camels—what does that have to do with us today? But these distinctions weren’t just about food. They were about formation. God was shaping His people to live differently—set apart from the world, marked by His holiness.
In verses 44–45, we find the heartbeat of this passage: “I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy… I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.”
These laws taught the Israelites to pay attention to the small things. Even their meals were meant to reflect their mission. In other words, holiness wasn’t confined to the sanctuary—it extended to the supper table. Today, the call remains the same. God desires that every area of our lives reflect His character. Holiness isn’t just about what we avoid—it’s about who we belong to.
So let’s dive in and ask a necessary question in today’s culture: What does it mean to live with clean hands and a clean heart in a world that celebrates compromise?
1. Live with Distinct Boundaries
Leviticus 11:2–3 says, “Say to the Israelites: ‘Of all the animals that live on land, these are the ones you may eat: You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof and that chews the cud.’”
God begins by identifying certain animals as clean—and others as unclean. This was not about nutritional value or cultural preference. It was about separation. These boundaries were symbolic. They reminded Israel daily that they were not like the other nations.
Think of a uniform. When someone wears a military uniform, it’s clear—they represent something. They’re part of something bigger. Their appearance marks their identity. In the same way, these food laws marked Israel’s identity. They were God’s holy people.
Application: What boundaries mark our lives as believers? Are there practices, habits, or decisions that reflect our distinct calling? In an age that blurs the lines of morality, purity, and truth, God’s people are still called to live with conviction and clarity.
But holiness isn’t just about what we stay away from. It’s also about who defines what’s clean and what’s not. That leads us to the second principle.
2. Let God Define What’s Clean and Unclean
Verses 4–8 go on to name specific animals that are off-limits. Some of them—like pigs or rabbits—seem strange to modern readers. But God was teaching His people something vital: He alone sets the standard of holiness.
Parents often set rules their children don’t fully understand—“Don’t touch the stove,” “Look both ways,” “No candy before dinner.” The rules may seem arbitrary to the child, but they come from love and wisdom. God’s commands work the same way. He sees what we don’t. He knows what we can’t. So we trust Him.
Application: Are we allowing God to define purity in our lives—or are we redefining it to suit our preferences? Holiness means surrendering our opinions to God’s authority. It means asking not, “What’s wrong with it?” but “Does this please the Lord?”
Psalm 24:3–4 says, “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart.”
God calls us to be distinct. He defines the standard. But above all, holiness reflects His own character. That brings us to the final and foundational truth.
3. Pursue Holiness Because God is Holy
Leviticus 11:44–45 brings the chapter to its climax:
“I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.”
God’s people were not called to be different just for the sake of being different. They were called to reflect the nature of the One who called them. This is not about behavior modification—it’s about transformation.
Think of a child who mimics a parent. The way they talk, the way they walk, even the little gestures—it’s all a reflection of who they’re watching. When we walk closely with God, our lives begin to reflect His holiness. His heart. His ways.
Application: Holiness isn’t a burden—it’s a blessing. It’s not about legalism—it’s about likeness. We are becoming like the One who redeemed us. And as 1 Peter 1:15–16 says, “Just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”
Conclusion:
The call to holiness didn’t end with Israel. It wasn’t tied to a diet—it was tied to identity. Holiness is still the calling of God’s people today. And while we may not live under the same food laws, the heart of the matter hasn’t changed: we are to be distinct in the way we live, because we belong to a holy God.
Holiness affects what we say, how we treat people, what we consume, what we watch, how we respond when wronged, and how we spend our time. Holiness is not compartmentalized. It’s comprehensive.
So let me ask again: Are your hands clean? Are your decisions guided by Scripture or by culture? Are you being shaped more by the holiness of God or the habits of the world?
The good news is that God doesn’t just call us to be holy—He makes us holy through Jesus. And through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are being shaped more and more into His likeness. Not perfectly. Not instantly. But steadily.
Let’s be a people who live with distinction—not out of pride, but out of devotion. Let’s be known for lives that reflect our Father’s heart.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You today, humbled by Your call to be set apart. Thank You for not only calling us to holiness but for providing the way through Jesus Christ. Lord, we confess that at times our hearts have been distracted, our standards have been compromised, and our hands have not been clean. But today we return. Today we consecrate ourselves anew. Cleanse us, refine us, and fill us with Your Spirit. Let every part of our lives reflect Your nature—our thoughts, our words, our choices. Make us holy, not for the sake of appearance, but for the sake of relationship. In Jesus’ name, amen.