“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation”. Matthew 12:43-45 KJV
Jesus is speaking directly to people that proclaim to be followers of Him. Jesus is talking in parable form, yet He is very blunt.
Merely stopping a behavior or habit is not enough. An outward moral reform or cleansing of one’s life is not going to do any good. You are just living a life that looks good. Whitewashed and clean on the outside and giving the appearance that the inside is clean and swept.
You cannot just stop doing harmful habits or behaviors. You must actively start another behavior or habit to fill the mind and heart with the presence of God. If you just stop the habit and do nothing else, Satan sees that you are only doing it to show outwardly that you are good and He will then come back with even greater force than before. You become vulnerable to a greater collapse.
You must actively invite the Holy Spirit to come and live inside your heart and mind. The problem arises in that the Holy Spirit is in the business of transformation. He is not interested in just living in the space you provided. He wants to demolish your desires, habits, and thoughts and build a new mind and heart dedicated to the glory of God.
This is why Jesus said the road is narrow. Most people do not want or desire to change. They will not allow complete transformation. Yet, Jesus says you must be reborn again to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
You can come to God as you are, but you cannot remain as you are. You must give up total control and hold on to nothing of the past.
Today, fill the mind and heart with the activities that bring about a complete change. Stop doing what the world does, stop doing any activity that promotes worldly thoughts. Give total control to God.
“O taste and see that the Lord is good” Psalms 34:8 KJV
Remember it is not a religion it is a relationship.
Prayers and Love for all.
Larry
