Spring has sprung! It’s time to clean out the closets and get rid of that stuff you haven’t used in years. You keep holding on to because you think this year is going to be different…but it’s time to take it to the Help Center! There’s something therapeutic about getting rid of the accumulated junk that piles up.
While you’re cleaning out the garage or the closet, think about some of the “junk” that needs cleaning out of our hearts. The Bible warns us about these things that can slowly accumulate. Take a spiritual inventory and resolve to get rid of…
Crooked and devious speech. (Proverbs 4:24) Replace these with words that build up! (Colossians 4:6)
Violence and oppression. The prophet Ezekiel said to replace them with justice and righteousness (Ezekiel 45:9).
Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander need to go, according to Ephesians 4:31. Our hearts are much healthier when filled with grace, mercy, and love.
Let go of fear. God didn’t give us that spirit, but a spirit of love, power, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).
Sweep away “filthiness” and fill our hearts with the power of scripture (James 1:21).
Clean out the things that are enslaving you and slowing you down. Hebrews says that without this stuff, we can run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Paul told the Ephesians to put off the old self and all the stuff that used to define us, and live fully empowered in the new life of Jesus (Ephesians 4:17-24).