Spiritual Housekeeping :
Keeping the World out of your house

Recently we had a family come and stay with us. We decided to sorta
go “camping” at home. So we sat outside most of the day and ate outside, played outside etc. However, we slept in comfortable beds with air conditioning and warm showers (sorta cheating isn’t it—it was great!). We had a WONDERFUL time of fellowship in the Word, sharing what Jesus has done in our lives, watching our children learn what it means to put others first etc.

We have all wood floors a big hairy dog, 3 boys in & out, plus guest so you can guess what that equals?? Lots of dirt, hair, trash etc on the floors. Yes I had swept before company came. And the little girl who loves to clean asked if she could sweep my floors. Why Yes Yes little one, go for it, I told her!! I certainly do not turn down such an offer! So sweeping she did! Then the next day her mother sweep up the hugest pile of dirt, hair, trash, toys etc. A bit later, I asked the little girl, could you tell that your mamma sweep today. She sweetly said, no mamm. Her mom then made a comment ever so accurately: It is always the battle of the outside coming inside!!

I thought you are so right!! My house stays dusty and in need of sweeping constantly (even right after I finish doing it!!). Now I know that partly is the lifestyle we live, we leave our windows open when possible, we have ceiling fans on in every room, we do not make our kids take off their shoes. We do not faithfully brush our dog, we do not dust and clean as often perhaps as we should. So I pretty much gave up in ever getting the outside to stay outside.

But the words of the woman had a profound thought to me. Is that not so precisely how difficult it is to keep “the world” out of our homes and hearts!! It is an ever on going process. In constant need of attention. You can not give up as I did with the sweeping & dusting. You must stay at it!

The most confounding part of it all is, where does all the dust & dirt come from?? Even when we do not have company, it is the same. I never see it “crawl” in. It does not ring the door bell and ask for an invitation. It can’t just fall from the ceiling!

Likewise, you will not see “the world” ring the doorbell and come in. They are not going to send you an announcement they are coming. “The world” will quietly, subtly & invisibly sneak in, make itself comfortable on your couch, in your living room. Cleverly disguising itself as to not be noticed while it sits in there with your children, your husband, and yourself. And it will fill every part of your home, just like the dust covers everything in a room, including every nook and corner of the floors!

What am I talking about? Well the list/concept is way too long to write here and it varies for each home. However, still a ever present danger! Here are some crafty ways “the world” sets up housekeeping. One is the news on TV. Which has every lust on the list—only it is quote true. The discovery channel & others of the sorts, has extreme evolution, demeaning what God’s Word says. Or such “learning” shows as Sesame Street that have VERY subtle humanistic philosophies. Now these are the “excuse” shows that most people tell me they only watch. Which is usually not even true either. So there is not a single show I can think of on TV that I would watch with Jesus sitting next to me. I challenge anyone who thinks there is……………I would like to see it, because I do not believe it. Now there are those who only watch videos. But satan is even more clever there! He more deceptively puts in those “good” videos selfishness, single family units, the best man wins, get all you can get and much more. In general opposite the attitudes and actions we are supposed to have according to God’s Word. I encourage you to NEVER use the TV/Videos as a babysitter while you get some “house cleaning” done (because you may be making more of a mess in the hearts of your children).

This same concept of concerns and discernment needs to be used in books, magazines, etc. that enter your home (especially from the library!). Or those loaned to you. Even your school curriculum needs checked out. Computer games—what do they accomplish?? Very little good most of the time. Also, the internet (I call it “Enter the Net” –Entertainment Trap). You and Your husband should have a filter, they cost money but “free” from “the world” is never without it’s costs!! You & your spouse as well need to control what you are doing and the time spent on it. Even though it may be “good” things you doing but what “should” you be doing?? The “net” is a “one-man/woman fish game”. It has no family value to it at all. This perhaps is the newest more deceptive scheme that satan has been very successful at. Many have fallen into grave sinful habits on the “net trap”, but many are just “trapped” there. Get loose and take a “fast” from the computer and just do some housecleaning. It maybe inches think in “dust”!

One other way I want to mention is the dirt that comes in off the kids (and parents alike) clothes and shoes. After they have been out in “the world”. Whether to Wal-mart with you. Grocery shopping with you, to the library. After Sunday church or a Bible study. And after visiting with friends or extended family they have a bunch of “dirt” that they bring back to the house (with out ever even knowing it!!). Then as they walk sit and live all the while the dirt falls off of them and begins to cover the floor. It is the same in the physical sense as the Spiritual. So you need to be aware of the things your children see (even things you may be desinsitized to) out in the public arenas that you have no control over them seeing & hearing. Talk to them about it, “clean them up” before you let them bring it into the home so to speak.

In closing I want you to think about Judas Iscariot. How very subtle he was. He was one of the twelve, who was right there in the midst of Jesus Ministry but never noticed, it is so with the sly ways of satan and he is persistent to bring “the world” into your home. Be attentive! You are in battle, do not rest! You can not hire a maid either! Do not be lazy, or you yourself will be covered in “dust”!!