Articles
CLEANING HOUSE
If my math serves me correctly, in our 40 years of marriage, Cathy and I will be moving for
the 15th time! In preparation for each move we’ve made, there was always sorting and tossing of
things we never used or felt that we no longer needed. By the number of trips we have made to
the dump this time, it is obvious that we have not always been successful at cleaning out stuff!
As we strive to live for Christ, it is necessary for us to take inventory of our lives and clean
out the “stuff” we no longer need or perhaps should no longer give time to because of our pursuit
of God’s kingdom (Mt. 6:33). Before our confession of Christ as Lord, our lives have been filled
with “stuff” that is contrary to the holiness the Lord wants in our lives. After baptism, we must
clean house of the impurities and fill it with those things which are true, honorable, right, pure,
lovely, of good repute… (Phil. 4:8).
As recorded in Matthew 12:43ff, Jesus told a parable of an unclean spirit going out of a man
seeking rest. He doesn’t find it, so returns to the house from which he came, finding it
unoccupied, swept, and put in order. He proceeds to move in with 7 other spirits making it worst
than before. Jesus’ words were focused at the scribes and Pharisees who were more intent on
cleaning the exterior of their lives while neglecting the interior. They were majoring-in-minors!
As Christians, we must be ever aware of Satan and his temptations. James wrote, “Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you” (Jas. 4:7). It is not enough to eliminate the evil things in our
lives. We must then fill the vacancy with good things which will bring glory to our Heavenly
Father! We must dedicate our lives to His purpose, so we can keep the evil one away.
Our oldest daughter has always encouraged us in getting rid of stuff. She says, “When you
buy something new, get rid of something old.” That is what Jesus is saying. If your problem is
spending too much time in front of the TV, then you must find something to take its place. Spend
time in the Word, in prayer, visiting other Christians, etc. When we are busy for the Lord, we
have no room for Satan in our lives! Maybe it is time for each of us to do a little cleaning house!
~P. Mowrer
