Housecleaning is something we all must do.
In Grandma’s day, we hauled the rugs outdoors and beat them with a broom. It loosened the dirt and left only the wool fibers, and our rug was like new.
Then we went for the cobwebs, accumulated grime, and old bits of paper hidden behind the furniture. We tossed it all in the trash bin and let the sanitation folks haul it away.
It wasn’t easy. It took effort, determination, and tenacity.
Some people don’t have what it takes to thoroughly clean house, and they live in ever-increasing squalor and grime. They keep old magazines and empty milk cartons; and pizza boxes fill the garage. They can’t even vacuum their rugs due to all the accumulated stuff they need to toss in the bin.
It’s nothing more than foolishness that clutters up their lives.
We must be prepared to spiritually clean house. The spiritual grime will continue to build up until we do, eventually leaving our rugs filled with the gritty sand of sin, crusty cobwebs of deception in the corners, and odd bits of the world hidden where no one sees.
Here are some housecleaning tips for our spiritual homes:
2 John 1:10 tells us to toss out false teachings:
“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting.”
John 8:44 describes how to sort truth from lies:
“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Matthew 25:1-4 is our example of elbow grease:
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.”
Jude 1:6 reveals that even beautiful things sometimes need to be tossed into the bin:
“And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day.”
2 John 1:11 says to cart away that which associates with evil:
“For whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”
It can be hard to toss out things we’ve become accustomed to: old friends; places we visit; and our stash of booze in the top cupboard. Yet, if they keep us from doing the Lord’s work, they are foolishness we can no longer afford to have around.
Let’s show some effort. Let’s be determined. Let’s let tenacity take over our lives. Let’s toss the foolish things and let the love of Christ illuminate the world through the polished windows of our praise unto him.
When we scrub away the grime, we will allow Jesus to shine.
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