Clean the house

DeAnna Willman photo KariShae@unsplash

“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

Over the past year we have been talking about how the mind effects the brain which controls the body. What we think upon is what will determine our mood, our hormones, our health, and even our DNA. We learned how we need to take control of and be mindful of our thoughts on a consistent basis, not just once in a while. In this process we have each been identifying thoughts we have been believing that are false. They came from the Accuser, the Liar, Satan. Whether through thoughts planted within our minds or words and actions toward us from others, we took to believing lies about God, ourselves and about others. So, as we go through this journey together, we have been identifying lies we have believed and been taking back the authority from the lying spirits. We have been cleaning house!

Some have continued to struggle after cleaning house. Why? Well, let’s go to scripture for the answers. An unclean spirit was cast out of someone’s house. Its authority was removed, and it went wandering looking for a place to rest. The same thing happens when we cast out any and all the lying spirits with whom we have walked in agreement. We gave them authority, but then in an effort to clean house, we remove that authority and kick the spirits to the curb! They too will go wandering looking for a place to rest- to take authority.

In the scenario Yeshua painted for us in Luke, when the spirit did not find rest what did it do? It returned to the house out of which it had been evicted. What did it find? An empty house. A house that had been cleaned but had not been inhabited by someone with authority. So, the spirit goes and grabs seven of its worst “friends” and they move into the house. There was no one to stop them from moving in and taking authority over the house. A spiritual example of squatter’s rights, you might say. How does that apply to us?

Well, you may clean out the house, but that is just the beginning of the journey. You must fill the house with occupants. Occupants with the authority to be in the house. Only then can you prevent the unclean and evil spirits from moving back in. Not to say they won’t come knocking or looking for an open window in the cellar in which to try entering. But, the occupants with the authority to be in the house can keep out the one you evicted.

It’s not enough to simply confess to and repent of lying. You must fill your house with truth and speak and live truth. It’s not enough to evict the spirit of envy. You must replace it with truth and with generosity, contentment, gratitude, and rejoicing with others in what they have received on a daily basis. (Luke 12:15-21, 34) You can evict the lying spirit of depression, but if you do not fill the house with joy, laughter, rejoicing with others, gratitude, thankfulness, serving others, and most of all the TRUTH, there will be nothing to stop the spirit of depression from returning and taking authority.

Let’s look at a few others and how you can fill your house with good occupants.

Criticism- fill the house with encouragement toward others, true appreciation for others and what they do, generosity in word, thoughts and deeds toward others, and Scripture! (Matt 7:1-5; Luke 14:11)

Laziness- work, service, and the multitude of Proverbs that tell us how laziness is the behavior of a fool. The instruction that those who don't work won't eat. 1 Thess 4:11; 2 Thess 3:10-12

Victimhood- take responsibility for yourself, your actions, your circumstances, and most of all your thoughts. Think upon and believe and act as the conqueror that God says you are! (Rom 8:37; 1 Cor 15:57)

Poverty-act, dress, tithe, think, wisely decide, and invest like the heir of the kingdom you are, rather than like the orphaned urchin the world models and Satan would have you believe you are. Scripture tells us that we have everything we need for life and godliness, we are heirs to the King, and He will provide for us out of His glorious riches. TRUTH! (Col 3:24; Prov 10:22; 2 Cor 8:9; Deut 8:18;Heb 13:21; 12 Peter 1:3)

Self-hatred/self-rejection out of low self esteem- care for oneself. Admit your needs. Ask for help. Accept help. Take that which others cannot help you to the ONE who can. Find your place in the Body and fulfill that role knowing you were created to do so. Our God says you are a masterpiece; He knew you while you were in the womb and approved of you; He created you with purpose and in love. You are created in HIS image to shine His light. You have been called to be His child and an ambassador of His kingdom. He paid the price of His Son so you could be all that, and more. TRUTH! Act, think, and behave as the son/daughter of The King. Accept that He loves you far more than you can imagine, and nothing will separate you from His love. (Psalm 139; Romans5:8; 8:38-39; 1 Jn 3:1)

Bitterness- forgive! Act in that forgiveness. And remember the debt you had and who paid it for you. Pray for the person whom you need to forgive. Ask YHWH to bless them and bring good into their lives while He helps you forgive. Rejoice when that person rejoices, and weep when they weep. Do a kind act for them, more than once, without seeking acknowledgment or even a thank you. Fill your house with TRUTH and actions that reflect that truth. (Prov 14:21; Lev 19:17-18; Prov 15:18; Eph 4:26, 32; Luke 6:37; Matt 6:12)

Anxiety/worry/stress- Matt 6:25-33; Isaiah 41:10; Joshua 1:9; Psalm 23:4… Give it to the only One who can work it all together for your good and to His glory. Seek His counsel. Praise Him!!! Give thanks, even for the circumstances in which Satan would have you in bondage to fear. You have been given a spirit of power, of love, and self-control. There is no fear in the fruit of the Spirit. Give your burden to Yeshua and walk, speak, and sleep as one who is free. (Gal 5:1)

While I have not touched on every lying spirit out there, you should by now see how to fill your house with occupants who will prevent the lying spirit from returning to reclaim its authority. You will be believing and living differently. Your light will shine brighter. And others will be attracted to those occupants, perhaps even desiring to fill their own house with them.

Now, it is not to say that you will never again be tempted to feel depression, envy, anger, etc…Those spirits don’t like not having a home and authority. But, if you continue to “feed” your welcome guests, there will be no room in the house for the lies, and those lies will be easier to kick back to the curb when they come knocking. Let’s be diligent in our work, mindful in who we allow to occupy our house, and on guard against the enemy. We do not want to experience the end found in Yeshua’s scenario with a lying spirit returning with 7 worse than it! Wash in the word, renew your mind, put on your armor, and stand firm, my friend.

Until next time…

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Messiah Yeshua have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the spirit, let us also keep in step with the spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25