Unspiritual Clutter

Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature: old things are

passed away; behold, all things

are become new.

II Corinthians 5:17

Every now and then, I watch one of the “hoarding” television programs. To be honest, they make me sick but that's okay. I watch such for one purpose. I want to be reminded that almost anyone can end up with a very cluttered house because in the beginning it seems like such a slow happening. People who are hoarders have generally accumulated their “precious stuff” over a period of time. Even though a psychiatrist may be brought in to help a hoarder cope with the cleaning up process, the whole clean up event can become hostile. In the beginning, the attending psychiatrist will usually pick up something from off the floor...something very insignificant like a scrap of paper. He will usually ask the hoarders permission to throw it way. That's when he's really confronted with what he's in for because most hoarders will give a reason for saving a dirty, torn scrap of paper.

With everything going on even with a counselor present with the hoarder, it's amazing how the smallest, dirtiest item is protected, not to be discarded. I've often wondered if the hoarder didn't want to throw out that filthy piece of scrap paper, then what's going to happen when they get to the really big stuff.

People working on such a project find some things in common upon their arrival. First of all, upon entering the house the experience a horrible smell. Many respond by putting a handkerchief over their noses and mouths. Then there is the sight...stuff, junk, garbage stacked and packed floor to ceiling. Rotten food, infestation of bugs and even rodents is evident. It's also noticeable that there's no place to sit. The hoarder may have a chair and part of a bed that is clear for use but that's about all. The kitchen is totally unusable. The refrigerator is usually packed with spoiled food and beverages. No clean dishes can be seen, so paper plates have been used and then thrown on the nearest pile of junk in the room. I won't even go into the condition of the bathroom. One of the major problems (and a dangerous one) is that there is only one very narrow path through the house and very often it is obstructed at times with more junk making the house a real hazard for falling and even a house fire.

With the condition of such a house, it becomes obvious that people living in the house seem to have their share of mental or emotional problems. One could say that the hoarding is caused by mental issues. However, hoarding can also lead to mental and emotional problems. You see, space is very important to us as individuals. We need space to move and a place to breathe. We need light coming through the windows and we also need to be able to move about unhindered. There ends up being so many health issues for folks who have become accustomed to the hoarding way of life that they don't even consider that.

As sad as it is for folks who get caught up in hoarding, keep the hoarding problem in mind, but let's switch to the problem of hoarding in our spiritual lives. As sad as it is to see folks so miserable in their junked up houses, it's also sad if we as Christians find ourselves hoarding some things in our lives that ought not to be so. We can ignore our spiritual clutter/junk just like hoarders living in an immeasurable mess. Most don't mind the mess they live in...it's become a way of life and a means of security for most.

We may live in nice houses that don't have to be mansions or castles...they are just home to us and I don't know a one of my friends who live in a filthy mess due to hoarding. However, how about the temple that we are as Christians? We are told that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit...it's where He lives if we are born again Christians. I wonder how cluttered up our individual temples are with spiritual junk. In some cases (and I hope not) folks may have become accustomed to such spiritual junk, used to it and comfortable with it but God isn't. It isn't physical junk that we can tough or see with our physical eyes. It is junk though that occupies our minds and hearts.

Let me list some things that can fall into the category of spiritual junk that we might we guilty of hoarding:

+Unfaithfulness to the things of God...church attendance, service, devotions. Most hoarders can't even locate a Bible in their cluttered houses.

+Unforgiveness...this is one many almost hold and caress, proud of their unforgiving spirits

+Hurt feelings...this is going to happen...forget it, get over it and walk away from it

+Dirty mind...there are Christians who feed their minds on the things of the world and their spirits are contaminated

+Temper...how quick are we to be upset with people or situations and are quick to blow a gasket

+Gossip...I don't even think Christians consider this a sin anymore but it is and keeps our minds cluttered with information we don't have any business knowing or remembering

The list could go on and on. We have the best Psychiatrist there ever could be to help us with this de-cluttering project. We may resist but nothing is going to work right if we don't work in cooperation with Him. Ridding ourselves of all this clutter of the world has some huge benefits:

+Open, loving relationship with God...with nothing between ourselves and the Savior

+Our testimony will please God and can be of influence in the lives of those who need our example

+We will see more answers to prayer in our lives

+God's word with break through our minds and hearts with a new and powerful refreshment we perhaps haven't known in a long time

+We will have the joy of being in partnership with the Holy Spirit in this cleaning up process that will bring about a whole new relationship with Him.

Lord Jesus,

I long to be perfectly whole;

I want Thee forever to ransom my soul;

Break down every idol,

Cast out every foe:

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Whiter than snow,

Yes, whiter than snow;

Now wash me, and I shall be

whiter than snow.

Amen and Amen!!