Using Hand Sanitizer

Luke 11:37-44

While teaching Second grade, my sister was shocked at the number of parents who sent antibacterial hand sanitizers with their children. So often, when instructed to go and wash their hands, the children would insist they didn’t need to because they’d used sanitizer. They, and their parents thought that hand sanitizer would eliminate danger from germs.

Studies have shown that regular hand soap is more effective at killing harmful bacteria than sanitizer. It also kills less beneficial bacteria that destroy the harmful ones. Neither is effective at killing viruses, but flushing the surface with water washes them away. Teaching the kids to wash their hands would be far more effective.

Worse, the sanitizers contain toxic chemicals that are absorbed through the skin, including alcohol. Some kids have used such quantities of sanitizer as to become intoxicated. There is fear that they may become addicted, as some alcoholics are using it to get drunk, when they can’t obtain regular alcoholic beverages.

Like the parents who send sanitizer to protect their children from germs, many churches develop codes of behavior intended to protect their people from sin. Unfortunately, those codes become a substitute for doing what is really needed, and provide a false sense of security. The Pharisees had developed such programs, and in fact one code involved the washing of hands.

“And as he spake, a certain Pharisee besought him to dine with him: and he went in, and sat down to meat. And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.” (Luke 11:37-38)

The Old Testament Law provided specific guidelines for cleansing ones hands and body after handling dead bodies or caring for the sick to prevent the spread of disease, similar to that of doctors today. Sanitizer was developed as a final step in the cleansing process for surgeons to prevent introducing pathogens into healthy tissue. It was never intended for general use.

While over ninety percent of all germs are beneficial and some are essential to survival, the Pharisees began requiring that everyone apply the antibacterial procedures before eating. They were offended when Jesus did not do so, although the Law made no such requirement.

“And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?” (Luke 11:39-40)

The cleansing the outside gave an illusion of cleanliness and protection, but did nothing for what was inside. Just as washing ones hands with sanitizer cannot protect one from most of the germs one comes in contact with, observing the ritual washing would not prevent people from sinning or take away the sin. Just as washing their hands would have far greater impact on the children’s exposure to pathogens, obedience to god’s commands will be far more effective in maintaining spiritual health. Often these human codes create other problems.

“But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.” (Luke 11:41)

Jesus instructs them that they should use what they have already and allow God to make the other things pure. Far too much emphasis is placed on minor activities resulting in neglect of what actually pleases God. In I Samuel 15:22 Samuel reminds Saul that obedience to him is what pleases God. “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” The Pharisees had it backward.

“But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” (Luke 11:42)

While the outward actions matter, they ought to be the byproduct of the Spirit in our lives, rather than primary focus. When we focus on the actions, we, in pride try to do the right actions in the flesh. The flesh cannot produce spiritual products. That which is flesh is still flesh. Flesh is just self spelled backward with an ’h’ added. The selfish pride is shown by the desire for man’s accolades by doing what man wants.

“Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.” (Luke 11:43)

Just as convincing people to use sanitizer every time gives a false sense of security, and may in fact result in more virulent germs, as well as creating other problems, the Pharisees deceived people by prescribing their own standards. They were actually in greater danger as a result of following the standards. It is frequently true in our day as well.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.” (Luke 11:44)