Manage your Lizards:)

““When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬


The Sunday before last Pastor Tim’s message made quite an impression on me, especially the lesson of the lizard, and I’ve been busy sweeping them out of my mind ever since! Seems to be a daily and necessary chore:)

I even started naming my lizards so I could sweep each one away. 

It made me think of the Bible verse previously stated.

But it’s not enough to sweep just once, I or we, must stay vigilant or those little buggers move right back in! 

Perhaps that is what is meant by, “the last state of that person is worse than the first.””

Even Peter reminds us, in 1Peter 5:8, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

‭‭We must constantly capture unruly thoughts (see ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”. What does it look like to “renew our minds”? What does it mean? I think it starts with thinking about what we are thinking about. What lies of the enemy have we believed that need to be brought into the truth of God’s word? And asking ourselves, as Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:8, is it true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent or worthy of praise? If not, then we need to ask God to help us see as He sees, to “enlighten the eyes of our hearts”. How do we do this? By spending time in His word; spending time in prayer.

 Psalm 1:2 reminds us our delight is to be in the Lord; in His commandments. We are to meditate on His word day and night.

 This, I believe, will not only help us to remain steadfast under trial and to stand on His truths in difficult times, but will help us  to replace the lies of satan with the truth of God’s Word. 

So line up those “lizards” against Philippians 4:8 and if they don’t meet the criteria then keep sweeping, don’t give up!






 

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