I am firmly convinced that whenever we attempt to remove or overcome we must then replace the space left with something better. Matthew 12:43-45
“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry
places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says ‘I will return
to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes he finds it
empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him
seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and
dwell there, and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”
This scripture has always made me think that we always need to fill the place from which the sin or thoughts or attitudes left. Too often we don’t fill the void so are left to the issue of being in a worsen condition because the space will be filled!
We are told in so many ways that the mind is the devil’s playground. He really has no power other than what we give him – never forget this. And he only knows if we are following him by what WE say and do. We only have to look at our violent prone society to see this at work. Too often we do or say those things that create negatives. And when a Christian falls and doesn’t repent, this is visible to everyone. Sadly, this witness only fires the distrust of those who don’t know the Lord.
I could provide other examples, but the point is – when we gain control and overcome a bad habit, a sin, a self-defeating attitude or behavior… what do we do next? How do we walk in our new found freedom? Do we fill the void created by the absence of what was there? If we don’t, then we can fall prey to the scripture spoken by the Lord in Matthew.
Fortunately there is an answer. We can fill the void and strengthen the new.
“Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things
are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and
if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is
no law.” (Galatians 5:22)
These 2 scriptures give us how we need to think and how we act. If the mind is the devil’s playground then think on those things that Paul gave us in Philippians. When we dust and sweep the places the other attitudes and sins occupied and replace them with the fruit of the Spirit – then there is no room for those thoughts, behaviors – sins to control us. Never leave a void. Enhance your overcoming.
