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?