A Pumpkin and a Promise: God Cleans Us from the Inside Out
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
Every fall, I love seeing porches lined with bright orange pumpkins. Some are carved into funny faces, others painted in soft creams or deep greens, each one unique in its own way. There’s just something about pumpkins that makes everything feel warm, homey, and full of possibility.
But before a pumpkin becomes something beautiful, there’s always a bit of a mess to deal with first.
The Mess Inside
If you’ve ever carved a pumpkin, you know what I mean. The first step is to cut open the top and peek inside — and what do we find? Seeds, strings, and a whole lot of slimy goo! It’s not pretty, and it’s definitely not something we want to keep around.
Our hearts can be a lot like that pumpkin. When we take an honest look inside, we might see things that aren’t so lovely — bitterness, pride, worry, or sin we’d rather ignore. But the good news is, God isn’t afraid of our mess. He invites us to open up our hearts so He can clean them out.
That’s what 1 John 1:9 is all about.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Confession is like that moment when we hand God the spoon and say, “Go ahead, Lord — clean me out.” It’s admitting we can’t do it on our own. And when we do, He doesn’t scold or shame us. He forgives. He restores. He makes us new.
The Cleaning Process
Cleaning out a pumpkin takes time. You have to reach in deep, pull out the gunk, and scrape the sides until they’re smooth. Sometimes, it’s a little uncomfortable — but the result is worth it.
The same is true with our hearts. God gently works through our stubbornness, our hurts, and our hidden sins. He removes the things that keep us from shining for Him. David prayed, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10) And that’s what God does when we come to Him — He renews and restores.
The Light Within
Once the pumpkin is cleaned out, something beautiful happens — we can place a light inside. The moment the candle is lit, the glow shines through the carved design, and what was once just a plain pumpkin becomes a bright beacon of light in the dark.
When Jesus forgives us and cleanses our hearts, He doesn’t leave us empty. He fills us with His Spirit, His joy, and His light. Then, we become living reflections of His grace.
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16
Isn’t that a beautiful picture? We are like God’s glowing pumpkins — once messy and dark inside, but now shining with His love for all to see.
The Pumpkin Gospel
Have you ever heard about The Pumpkin Gospel? The first time I heard this story was during a Children’s Message at my church, and I’ve never forgotten it.
The story goes like this:
There once was a gardener who planted pumpkin seeds. He cared for his garden by watering, pulling weeds, and sheltering the plants from the harsh sun. One day, the gardener picked a special pumpkin from his patch. He took it inside and washed off the dirt on the outside. Curious about what was inside, he cut the top off — and there he found a yucky mess! So he scraped out the seeds and stringy pulp until the pumpkin was clean and beautiful, both inside and out.
Next, he decided to give the pumpkin a new look. He carved out two eyes, a nose, and a smiling mouth. But it still didn’t seem quite finished. Then he placed a candle inside, and suddenly the pumpkin shone brightly for everyone to see.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9
So, if someone ever asks, “What’s it like to be a Christian?” You can smile and say, “It’s like being a pumpkin!”
God lovingly picks each of us from the patch — no matter our size, color, or imperfections. He washes off the dirt on the outside and cleans out the mess within — sins like self-doubt, pride, and fear.
If we don’t fill our hearts with the Word of God, we’ll just be hollow inside. But when we invite Jesus in and let His light shine through us, we become living reflections of His love and grace.
Just like a pumpkin left alone will eventually rot and fade, our faith needs constant care — prayer, time in Scripture, and staying close to the Lord — to keep shining bright.
Shining in the Darkness
As you walk past glowing pumpkins on autumn nights, remember this simple truth: You were created to shine. Not by your own strength, but by the light of Christ within you.
So even when life feels dark or messy, remember that God is faithful. He takes what’s broken, cleans it out, and fills it with His presence. That’s the promise of 1 John 1:9 — forgiveness and transformation.
Creative Bible Journaling Idea
For this Bible Journaling page:
I painted the entire page with green/teal paint
I stamped with bubble wrap and black paint
I stamped white paint using the end of a toilet roll
Splattered white paint
Added a large tag shape as a tip-in
Created a pumpkin from scrapbook paper
Added a faux leaf and raffia bow to the the top of the pumpkin
I wrote the words “Cleanse Me” and added a prayer to the back of the tag
To finished off my Bible Journaling page, I highlighted the verse in the same green/teal paint (watered down) and added the date.
Reflection Questions
What “seeds” might God be asking you to surrender to Him today?
How has God’s forgiveness brought light into your life?
What are some ways you can shine for Christ this week?
A Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for loving me enough to clean out the mess inside my heart. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and fill me with Your light so that I can shine for You in this world. Amen.
