“When the unclean spirit comes out of a man, it wanders through dry places, seeking rest; and when it does not find it, it says, ‘I will return to my house from whence I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it dusted and in order. Then he went and brought with him seven spirits worse than himself, and they entered and settled in him; And the last condition of that man is worse than the first” (Luke 11:24-26).
If its proper occupancy is neglected, the human heart falls into a ghostly ruin. Making our hearts the joyful abode of God requires a special kind of work for which they were created. When we make the mistake of neglecting this task for any reason, a deadly chaos begins to develop.
Perhaps the word “focus” best describes the effort we must make. Having been given minds that can choose the subject of their thoughts, it is absolutely essential that we exercise this choice in such a way as to lift up our hearts rather than let them down. Those who wish to become Christians are given this simple instruction: “Set your minds on things above, not on things on earth” (Colossians 3:2). not only can do We choose to focus on the truths that keep our hearts from decaying, but we Sure Do this. “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are noble, whatever things are noble, whatever things are worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8). To ignore this warning is to bring about almost certain disintegration of our own hearts.
How badly can a neglected heart deteriorate? Paul gives an ominous hint of the possibilities when he describes those who “were living in the futility of their minds, with their understanding darkened, alienated from the life of God because of the blindness of their hearts; who, out of passions, had given in to unrighteousness, having given in to all uncleanness through greed” (Ephesians 4:17-19).
The simple decision to do nothing about God causes great harm. There is no safe middle ground, between actively moving towards him and actively moving away from him. Doing nothing means getting worse. Either we choose to diligently seek God or our hearts will fall into darkness, decay and ultimately. . . Death.
“A house where no one lives rapidly deteriorates. The soul that does not celebrate God becomes a dark, ruined, desolate place” (Pseudo-Macarius).
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com AreYouaChristian.com
