Godly Repentance: Maintaining the Purity of Our Spiritual Operating System
Our soul operates much like the operating system (OS) of a computer or smartphone. It is complex, powerful, and vital for every function in our lives. Romans 7 illustrates this vividly, describing the soul as the seat of our mind, emotions, and will. Just as an OS directs the action of a digital device, our soul influences our choices, responses, and life experiences. As born-again Christians, while our regenerated spirits, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, should direct our choices, it is imperative to actively maintain the purity of our souls. Keeping our souls clean from contamination aligns us with the desires of the Holy Spirit and thus making it easier for us to make decisions and choices that are consistent with our new nature as sons and daughters of Elohim.
Our soul, which is our "internal or spiritual OS", interacts with the world through our sensory gates (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin). These interactions determine how we perceive and engage with our environment, shaping our beliefs, behaviours, and character. However, just as digital operating systems are vulnerable to malware (i.e. harmful software that can corrupt systems subtly), causing system malfunction, our souls are susceptible to spiritual malware. These spiritual malwares are sin and other destructive influences, including negative emotions, harmful thoughts, and deceptive beliefs that quietly corrupt our soul, leading to spiritual malfunction or dysfunction. Proverbs 4:23 emphasises this truth: "Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life." Protecting our souls (spiritual OS) is vital, as their condition directly impacts our quality of life (as further emphasised in 3 John 2).
Scripture teaches us how to deal effectively with these spiritual malwares through genuine repentance. Proverbs 28:13 states clearly, "He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will find mercy." Repentance is more than just acknowledging what we have done wrong. It involves confessing our sins to God and decisively turning away from them. This action purifies and restores our souls, safeguarding against spiritual dysfunction or sub-optimisation. In 2 Corinthians 7:8-11, Apostle Paul beautifully explains the transformative power of godly sorrow. Unlike worldly sorrow, which brings despair and death, godly sorrow leads to authentic repentance. It generates soberness, purity, and restoration, ultimately guiding us toward salvation and lasting spiritual growth.
Yet, identifying hidden malwares in our souls can be challenging. Proverbs 20:27 offers a powerful solution: "The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts." When invited into our hearts, the Holy Spirit acts like a divine antivirus, thoroughly scanning and revealing hidden malwares or impurities.
Practical steps to maintain the purity of your soul:
1. Daily reflection and prayer: Consistently ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and expose areas needing repentance.
2. Embrace godly sorrow: Allow genuine sorrow for your sins to propel you towards sincere repentance—confessing openly to God and turning completely away from sin.
3. Guard your sensory gates: Remain vigilant about what you allow into your soul through your senses. Recognise that sensory inputs significantly influence your spiritual well-being.
In summary, true repentance goes beyond feelings of regret. It involves actively cooperating with the Holy Spirit to cleanse our souls. By continuously seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, diligently guarding our sensory gates, and allowing godly sorrow to cultivate genuine repentance, we protect and maintain the purity of our soul, which is our spiritual operating system. This will ultimately help us in achieving sustainability in our spiritual growth.
