Every Believer Needs a Bilge Pump
This powerful post uses the image of a bilge pump to show how believers must continually guard their hearts and expel the world’s influence. Stay clean. Stay afloat. Stay surrendered.
Most people don’t know what a bilge pump is—but every believer needs one. On a ship, the bilge pump runs around the clock. Its one job is to keep water out of the hull. Water from rain, waves, leaks—it all finds its way in. And if it’s not pumped out, the ship will sink.
The water doesn’t belong inside. It comes from the world outside. And that’s exactly how the world works on us. Slowly. Quietly. Constantly.
Jesus said we’re in the world, but not of it. In John 17:16–17, He prayed, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” That means the Word of God is like the switch that keeps our bilge pump running. The truth keeps the world from taking over.
But here’s the problem—we don’t live in dry dock. We’re sailing through stormy waters every day. The world keeps splashing in. The culture, the noise, the temptations, the discouragement, the fear. It gets inside if we’re not careful.
That’s why we need something working continually to get it out. Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That’s the pump in action—renewing, cleansing, pushing the world back out. Not just once, but daily.
Jesus said in Luke 21:34, “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life…” The ship doesn’t sink all at once. It takes on a little here, a little there, until it’s too late.
That’s why we pray. That’s why we stay in the Word. That’s why we walk in obedience. Not to earn something, but to protect what God’s already put inside us. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”
Don’t wait until you're sinking to start pumping. Keep the world out by staying filled with the Spirit. That’s how you stay afloat in a storm.
2 Corinthians 7:1 say, “Let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.” – Dean Butler
I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.
This work may be shared for ministry or personal use, but please credit the author when doing so. © Dean Butler – Dean’s Bible Blog. All rights reserved.
Please reach out at: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” (1 Timothy 1:12)
