“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” Ephesians 4:22-23 NLT
SEEK HIM: Devotion is Meeting with God in Our Own Lives!
As an old year and season ends, a new year creates space for a fresh start. This allows us to reflect on what has accumulated in our hearts, habits, and thinking. As Christ followers, God is always reshaping us into His likeness, but “holy housekeeping” doesn’t just happen. We get to participate in the process, by examining our lives, throwing off what no longer belongs, and allowing the Holy Spirit the space to do His work in us. This is exciting business, this “holy housekeeping.” So, let’s linger in the Lord’s presence and Seek Him about it right now!
(Along the way, take a few moments to listen to this introductory podcast about this series!)
WHAT: What is God saying through this Scripture?
This Scripture gives us an imperative that we can sum up with the phrase, “TRASH IT!” When it comes to our sinful nature, former ways, lust and deception, God wants us to throw it away. We don’t need to shuffle the clutter, move unwanted items to the garage or rent storage space so we can come back to it later. We have the opportunity to get rid of what no longer needs to be or should be part of our lives. For God’s people, “holy housekeeping” begins in the deepest parts of our lives then changes us from the inside out. ~ What excites you about a new year or a new season? Do you sense some unnecessary things built up in the spaces and places of your life? What does the phrase “throw off” reveal about your role in “holy housekeeping”?
WHY: Why does this Scripture matter?
When the sin, lust and deceptions of life linger, they fill up the spaces and places of our hearts and lives. Then we don’t have room for what’s good. That’s why Scripture speaks of getting rid of what no longer belongs. The book of Hebrews clarifies what we need to let go of, saying: “Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up” (Hebrews 12:1, NLT). Some things need to go because they are clearly wrong, while other things need to go because they are heavy, distracting, or unnecessary. If something slows your obedience, clouds your thinking, or limits your freedom, it doesn’t belong—so, “TRASH IT!” ~ Why is it sometimes harder to release familiar weights than obvious sin? What “weight” might be cluttering your soul or slowing down your life right now?
HOW: How does God want us to respond to this truth?
As we go through this conversation collection, it is so important to personally listen to God’s voice through His Word. This is how we experience the renewal of our thoughts and attitudes. Each of us must take time to linger in the Lord’s presence so that He can be the One leading us through our “holy housekeeping.” With His help and our obedience, we throw off the things He identifies in us in order to make space for the new life He has for us. His Word says, “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT). Because we are being made new in Christ, letting go is not an act of loss; it is an act of purging. Keep this in mind in the coming conversations, as we look at four categories of our lives: unhealthy foods, bad habits, ungodly emotions, and faulty thinking. As we examine each of these, let’s cooperate with the Spirit by naming what no longer belongs and making space for what’s new. ~ What thoughts or attitudes might the Holy Spirit want to renew in you right now? Will you intentionally consider what habit, mindset, or pattern God is calling you to release in this season? How does your new identity in Christ change the way you approach that release?
SPEAK HIM: Discipleship is Making God Known to Others!
As you linger with the Lord and listen to Him about your own life, you’ll be able to lead others to do the same. Whether they’re friends or family, leading others begins with your own obedience. Share what God is revealing to you, then invite them to reflect as well. Encourage them to listen for the Holy Spirit’s voice and to consider what doesn’t belong in their lives right now. Some answers may overlap with yours, while others will be different. When we model surrender before instructing others, we encourage them to hear God for themselves. Close your time together by praying this question aloud: “Holy Spirit, what doesn’t belong in our lives in this new season?” When we throw off what hinders us, we make room to live fully in the new season God has already begun in us.
Up Next:
We’re going to look at our first specific area: Unhealthy Foods. What do YOU put in your mouth? Lean into the conversation!
