Cleaning House – Preparing Your Heart for a Fast

God wants us to remove what doesn’t belong in His house

In Nehemiah 13:4-8, Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to discover that the priest, Eliashib had given his relative, Tobiah, a large room in the House of God. This new apartment was given to Tobiah and he moved in his furniture and belongings.

God was not pleased. God had given instructions that the place where Tobiah was living in was to be used for things related to worshipping him: grain, incense, vessels, wine and oil. It is safe to say that Tobiah was helping himself to all the contents that were in that room.

Tobiah was in a place where he didn’t belong and Nehemiah stormed into the temple, angry at Tobiah. Nehemiah took all of Tobiah’s belongings and threw them out of the Temple. Tobiah just got evicted without notice!

Nehemiah sets a good example for us to follow. The Bible says that we “are the temple of the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 6:19). God has moved into our spirits and He has made our physical bodies His home.

Unfortunately, we have some tenants living in our minds and bodies that God doesn’t want to stay. (Romans 12:2)

We have to be like Nehemiah and get angry at the those things that don’t please God and are present in our life. We have to get angry and kick it out!

Use this time of praying and fasting to check your spiritual and physical house.

• What has moved in that God isn’t pleased with?
• Are there some areas that need more security?
• Do you feel confident that God is in control in every spiritual and physical room?

Take time to examine yourself and then take action.
Make a commitment to remove those things from your spiritual and physical house.

Some Practical Tips to Cleaning House

Limit Television, Movies & Cable

Jesus said in Matthew 6:22-23, if our eyes are healthy, then our whole body will be full of light. Make an effort to only put in front of your eyes those things that please God.

Suspend your Netflix

Netflix and other services allow you to suspend your service for a fixed amount of time. Spend this time reading God’s Word or thinking about what He has and will do for you. Read Philippians 4:8

Talk Less

This is especially a big one for me. Jesus said in Matthew 12:36 that we will give an account for every careless word that we speak. Speak less with more impact! This includes: phone, email & social.

Break Ties

In 2 Corinthians 6:14, the Bible tells us that we are not to be unequally yoked together unbelievers. You may have partnerships with those who don’t believe or live in the same direction as you. Take time to evaluate any teams, partnerships or relationship that qualifies as being unequally joined then work to disconnect.