2 Timothy 2:20-22 English Standard Version

²⁰ Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. ²¹ Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. ²² So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Here is the problem with cleaning ourselves, we clean first where we allow people to come and see for themselves how we live. We base our cleaning on two levels, our own standards and our own judgments.

If anyone comes in and judges our house it is likely that they will not be invited back. The principles of house cleaning are very similar to cleaning up our behaviors. We tend to hide things we are embarrassed that others might see, so we deny them access.

When it comes to the abiding presence of God, there is no hiding from God what is inside of us. There is no hiding from the God inside of us. If we do not think of Him as the abiding presence our actions might look as if we are godless.

Romans 8:5-6 English Standard Version

⁵ For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Our mindset is important because it should reflect our faith in Christ, our life in Christ. How we think and what we think is important.

Have we changed our minds or have we been given a new one?

Hebrews 4:15 English Standard Version (ESV) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Sympathize, what a wonderful word. Jesus knows how we feel. Avoid the word temptation for a moment and think about the things that Jesus has said to us about our feelings. Fret not, fear not, and be anxious for nothing are instructions from Christ to help us deal with our negative emotions.

Yesterday I heard “But!” The truth is that each and every one of us have something that holds us back from being that person we want to be for God. Some of it is based on instructions that were put into place because others believe that without constraints we will choose wrong. How we were raised is a deep emotional base where we grew up in life. Some experiences are good, some are bad, and some are so horrible they are extremely dangerous to others.

“But!”

That is personal for each reader and must be dealt with in order to allow the truth to shine forth as God intends. Some of us need professional therapists, some need a pastor, some just need a friend but we all need Jesus who understands exactly how we feel. He abides in our hearts and knows best what is happening there.

The truth is that the abiding presence of the love of God changes us little by little in ways we might not instantly recognize. Our bodies are a living temple in which our Lord is either turning over the exchange tables or washing our feet. Think of Him cleaning house in us and recognize that He deals with what bothers Him the most and knows best how to “clean house”.