42 Holy Housekeeping 7 - Watch for Mold

Holy Housekeeping 7:  Watch for Mold

Do you not know that your body is a house of God where the Holy Spirit lives? God gave you His Holy Spirit. Now you belong to God. You do not belong to yourselves. God bought you with a great price. So honor God with your body. You belong to Him. -- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLV
 
Just as we guard our residence from mold, we need to prevent this substance from invading our spiritual homes. Sin is the mold in the lives of Christians. Three aspects of this toxic substance share common threads with sin. 

First, sin, just like mold, needs a source of moisture. Temptation is the moisture that allows this harmful matter to grow. But, just as it is not possible, or practical, to remove all moisture from a home, neither is it possible to remove all temptation. We need to co-exist with both. It is excessive moisture in the presence of darkness where mold will flourish.

Second, mold thrives in dark places, where there is no light. But, thankfully, Jesus gives us blessed assurance, as He proclaimed, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12 NIV).

Finally, mold, unlike dirt, will inevitably grow. We need to examine our lives for areas where we are straying from God’s Word. The tell-tale sign that an area of sin has taken root is that it gradually increases in duration and/or intensity. 

Once we discover areas where spiritual mold is growing, we need to allow the light of the Lord to shine brightly. As we confess, repent, and turn from our sins, Jesus promises "to forgive us" and "cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9 NIV).