Have You Dedicated Your Home?, Pt. 3 - No. 104b

2 Chronicles 29:15, “When they had… consecrated themselves, they went in to purify the temple of the Lord, as the king had ordered, following the word of the Lord.” And Nehemiah 13:9, “I gave orders to purify the rooms…”

It is beneficial to frequently de-clutter your home of the junk that accumulates. It is even more important to regularly go through your home and check for anything that could defile your home. Check the magazines. Go through your bookshelf. Inspect your music. Check your children’s rooms too. What about ornaments, pictures and gifts that you have accumulated? Are they glorifying to the Lord?

A good way to check whether to throw it out or keep it, is to line it up alongside Philippians 4:8.

1. Whatever is true.

This means someone or something that cannot lie. We must allow no deception in our homes. We must be transparent with one another – no hiding or deceiving.

2. Whatever is honest.

The Greek word is “semnos” which actually means that which inspires respect and reverence. It has majestic and awe-inspiring qualities. Everything in our homes - pictures, décor, music and atmosphere should promote majesty and reverence.

3. Whatever is just and right.

We do not allow things that are on the borderline of righteousness. We stay well to the right! If it is questionable, throw it out! 

4. Whatever is pure.

The word is “hagnos” which means freedom from defilements and impurities, especially sexual sin. Do not allow anything in your home that promotes lust or impurity. Guard your TV. Veto every video and DVD that comes into your home. Guard your computers. It is too dangerous for children to have computers in their bedrooms, or husbands for that matter. They should be in the living room, in the open, where all can watch what appears on the screen. 

5. Whatever is lovely.

Is your home light and sunshiny? Is the atmosphere lovely? Are your pictures lovely? I have noticed dubious and sensual pictures on the walls of some Christian homes. Your children will be influenced by the pictures you have on your wall. I remember the story of a mother whose sons all chose go to sea for their living. When someone asked them the reason, they pointed to the pictures on the walls, which were of ships on the ocean.

I stayed in the home of one young mother and her walls were decorated with beautiful pictures of mothers and babies. Her six children are surrounded with these lovely pictures that promote tenderness and maternity.

6. Whatever is of good report.

Everything in our homes should be good – good words (throw out all negative, back-biting, morbid and discouraging words), good clean fun, good books and good music. 

7. Whatever is excellent.

This word, “arête”, is the same that is used in 1 Peter 2:9 where it says “we should show forth the praises (excellencies and virtues) of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Everything in our home should show forth the excellency of our holy God. It should reveal the beauties of His character. Remember, we have dedicated our home to be a holy place unto the Lord.

8. Whatever is worthy of praise.

Everything in our homes should uplift us and cause us to praise the Lord – décor, books, videos and music.

God’s Word is very strong to us about what we have in our homes. Deuteronomy 7:25-26 says, “You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire, you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you are snared by it; for it is an abomination to the Lord your God. Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it; but you shall utterly detest and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing.” Read also Matthew 21:12-13 and Acts 19:19.

Set aside some time to de-clutter your home of all that does not line up with Philippians 4:8.

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

“Oh God, help me to remember daily that my home is a place for your glory to dwell. Help me to consistently cleanse my home of all the things that subtlety enter in to defile it. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION: