Get Rid Of Things You No Longer Use

I Thessalonians 5:21 commands, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”  As we saw in the previous post, we need to do some spiritual housecleaning, getting rid of false teachings and worldly traditions if we are to be fitted for the Lord’s use.   Otherwise we become spiritual hoarders, so hemmed in by all the rules and false teachings we are unable to actually serve God or enjoy spending time with the Lord because we are so worried about doing something wrong and offending him. 

While we are cleaning house there are some other things like shoes or clothes that we don’t use, that need to be gotten rid of as well.  Why hang on to things we will probably never use when we could exchange them for something we need or could enjoy?  Even if we can’t sell them, getting rid of them will give us a place to put things we do need.    II Timothy2:22 tells us, “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”  Those old childish desires and cravings are part of the old, natural man and no longer fit the new man.  We need to replace them with things that are becoming to a Christian, that go along with a walk with Christ.   For example, a sinful lifestyle implies we don’t really know the Lord, as I John 3:10 tells us.  “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God…”   Instead, we ought to live in accordance with God’s standard of what is right.  We need to live by faith, because Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  Love is critical to our Christian life, as I John 4:7-8 tells us.  “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”  We need to learn to love people, and to live at peace, with ourselves, with other people, and with God.   All these things are part of the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23. 

We are surrounded by debates over which Bible we should use, or what style of music or service a church should have, or when the Lord will return, etc.  Many of the debates are not relevant, and others are simply the result of a lack of study of the scriptures.   II Timothy 2:23-26 tells us not to get caught up in these debates.  “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.   And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”  

These debates just result in conflict between Christians.  As Christians we are not to be fighting among ourselves, but to go out of our way to build up and strengthen the Christians.  We are to patiently teach them the truth, not trying to impose our will or beliefs, even when they are clearly in the wrong.  Instead of trying to change them ourselves, we are to allow God to make the changes so that they escape Satan’s tricks.  In our efforts to force change, we may well drive them into Satan’s clutches.  Instead of trying to prove we are right, we should walk away and let the Holy Spirit work.  If he can’t get them to change we surely can’t, and there’s no use trying to do his job.