We know that sin can be damaging to those who are sinned against but, with regards to the spirit of individuals, some of the greatest impacts and consequences of sin are felt by the sinner themselves. The act of sinning can stir up all kinds of emotions. Initially we may experience pleasure, a rush as we rebel, the thrill of committing an act of defiance, whether it's intentional or not. But we soon find that such desirable feelings are short-lived and quickly followed by the undesirables of guilt, shame and, in many cases, the acute awareness of spiritual uncleanliness.

These undesirable but inevitable consequences of sin don't disappear and our changed perception of our self doesn't resolve with time alone. In order to overcome these negative impacts we need to take intentional action.

All of what we pursue in committing sins - happiness, thrills, love - can be found in their purest forms through Christ. There's no joy greater than the kind that he offers, no thrill better than being his disciple, no rush more fulfilling than knowing he's your Saviour and no love that's stronger or more satisfying.

Being close to God, confessing your sins and accepting Him and His forgiveness into your heart are all essential for spiritual cleansing to take place.

If you are feeling unclean because of past or present sin, take a look over the following Bible verses and rediscover God's power to refresh and renew. You may even find it helpful to say the first two psalms as prayers as you ask for forgiveness and help in distancing yourself from sin.

Psalm 51:2 - Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 51:10 - Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Ezekial 36:25-26 - I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekial 26:29 - I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you.

2 Peter 1:5-9 - For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

1 Peter 1:22 - Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

Hebrews 9:13-14 - The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!