PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 11:24-26
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“It finds the house swept clean and put in order.” (Luke 11:25)
Jesus is describing our struggle with self-help and self discipline.
Like Paul we want to do what is good but sin is stronger (Romans 7).
Through discipline and determination, we may clean up our lives.
But sooner or later we’re overtaken by another bad impulse.
Impure spirits are bad, unhealthy, negative impulses and desires.
They are notoriously subtle, deceptive and effective against us.
We may clean up our lives, but we remain vulnerable.
This is because we were not made to go it alone.
Our hearts are designed for God’s Spirit to reside there.
We need God’s good Spirit in us, so other spirits can’t take over.
Our vacant hearts are no match for the bad spirits.
We need the strong man to set us free and to live in us (11:21-22).
I cannot clean up my life alone, I need the Spirit of Jesus in me.
Which spirit will I welcome to take over my life?
PRAYER
Lord, I prefer your Spirit to take over than the spirits that want to make my life even worse. Come into my life, and make my life better!
“it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. ” Evil spirits must not find my heart an empty place where they can rest! I’m vulnerable if I let the cares and worries of this life and even its busyness cause the unease and restlessness of my heart – a context/place for evil spirits to find a home. Rather, let me be filled by the HS – let Jesus be within me so that the evil spirits have no place! That my heart will be an arid place where evil spirits do not find a home. Let my heart not be empty and swept completely clean – rather let Jesus live there and be at home with me through the HS.
Cleaning house is a weekly activity. After it is cleaned, the dust. the dirt returns again.
So too, it is true when I live for Jesus, I need clean up y living for Jesus. And I need help with that. I need the Spirit of the Lord living within me, leading me, guiding me, strengthening me, encouraging to do my all to live for Jesus. Spirit of God, come Thou into my heart and direct my life for serving You.
1. Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
wean it from earth; through all its pulses move;
stoop to my weakness, mighty as thou art,
and make me love thee as I ought to love.
2. I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
no sudden rending of the veil of clay,
no angel visitant, no opening skies;
but take the dimness of my soul away.
3. Has thou not bid me love thee, God and King?
All, all thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind.
I see thy cross; there teach my heart to cling.
O let me seek thee, and O let me find.
4. Teach me to feel that thou art always nigh;
teach me the struggles of the soul to bear.
To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh,
teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.
5. Teach me to love thee as thine angels love,
one holy passion filling all my frame;
the kindling of the heaven-descended Dove,
my heart an altar, and thy love the flame.