WHAT ARE YOU MAKING ROOM FOR?
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
Ephesians 5:3-4 (NIV)
When my daughter was preparing to go to college, we spent several hours cleaning out closets and drawers to get rid of the things she would no longer need once she moved. We found old pictures, concert ticket stubs, handmade crafts, stashes of notebooks and stray tubes of ChapStick, among other items that were just taking up space. My daughter didn't realize she had kept all these things. Somewhere along the way, she tucked these things away, made room for them, and then forgot about them. Over time, the clutter accumulated, and what once seemed insignificant began taking up valuable space.
Our hearts can become cluttered in much the same way. We may not intentionally invite sin into our lives, but little by little, we begin making room for things that don't belong. A conversation turns into gossip. A small compromise becomes a habit. Before we realize it, we have grown comfortable with things that should trouble our hearts. Scripture gives strong instructions about what should and should not characterize the lives of God's people. It addresses impurity, greed, careless speech and the danger of being deceived by empty words. Our lives should look different from the world because we belong
to Christ.
We must pay attention to what we allow into our hearts and minds. What we watch, the conversations we entertain and the attitudes we nurture all shape us. We can't fill our minds with things that dishonor God and expect our hearts to remain unaffected. Scripture also tells us what should replace these things. Instead of corrupt speech, there should be thanksgiving. Cultivating grateful hearts leaves less room for sin. We honor God not only by what we refuse to embrace, but also by what we intentionally choose to store in our hearts.
APPLICATION: Take an honest look at what you are allowing into your heart and mind. Ask God to help you remove the things that do not honor Him and replace them with things that reflect His character.
PRAYER: Lord, show me anything that I have allowed to take root in my heart that doesn't honor You. Help me recognize the things that influence me in unhealthy ways. Give me the courage to turn away from what displeases You and the wisdom to cultivate what is good, pure and pleasing to You. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?