What kinds of pests would you tolerate in your home? A recent survey revealed some surprising results. Researchers found that people would pay for an exterminator when the following pests were found in their home: Twenty-four percent would pay an exterminator to kill spiders; 27 percent would pay to get rid of ants; 56 percent would pay to banish the bedbugs; 56 percent would pay to get rid of rodents; 58 percent would pay to kill cockroaches; and 87 percent would pay to have termites terminated. The shocking thing about this survey is that, with the exception of termites, half of the people surveyed were willing to tolerate some unpleasant pests in their homes.
Paul reminded the Galatians that because of Jesus’ death, they no longer should tolerate the pests of sin in their lives. Through Christ’s death, the power of sin was broken. The Galatians had been set free from the yoke of slavery to sin and legalism. With this new freedom came the responsibility to resist the temptations of the sinful nature and the privilege to live in and according to the power of the Holy Spirit. When they willfully chose to do this, they would absolutely not tolerate the pests of sexual sins (Galatians 5:19), spiritual sins (Galatians 5:20), and relational sins (Galatians 5:20-21) in their lives. Instead, they would bear fruit, and it would be evidenced in their attitudes and actions (Galatians 5:22-24).
Let’s take a spiritual inventory. What pests—sexual immorality, idolatry, hatred, anger, jealousy, fits of rage, divisions, self-ambition—have we become comfortable living with? With spiritual diligence, let’s eradicate these pests from our lives through reading God’s Word, praying, dwelling in community with godly people, and living in the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 18:1-27
More:
Read Colossians 3:5-17 and Ephesians 4:25-32 and list similarities and differences between the two lists.
Next:
From the lists in Colossians 3 and Ephesians 4, what spiritual pests have you been tolerating in your life? What steps will you take today to remove them from your life?
tom felten on February 13, 2012 at 10:35 am
Thanks for this challenging post, Marvin. I’m reminded of what the Apostle Paul wrote, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:1-2). By pursuing a holy life in Jesus, we glorify God and don’t trample on His amazing grace.
lindafrances on February 13, 2012 at 11:38 am
Today our culture is such that Christians can’t or shouldn’t participate in common things of the world. Turn on TV and its hard to find appropriate shows for adults, and unfortunately that goes for children viewing. The internet is both a blessing and a curse; only a small percentage of sites are safe. Everywhere we turn the believer has to abstain or compromise, because “this show is not too bad” or that place normally is ok. Thank God for those who produce Christian movies like Courageous, Veggie Tales, Christian music….and sites like this that not only encourage our faith, but helps us grow in our faith.
We are the beginning of our primary election for president. Man being the sinful creatures we are, we must again compromise and look for best person that represents our values and has the ability to fix the problems our nation. I think most Christians agree that we must oppose those candidates who promote sinful behavior and do not walk the walk. We also must recognize a person who made past mistakes and have repented versus the person who continues in their ungodly path. We need to pray that God gives all people, especially Christians, wisdom and discernment in voting. Do we trust someone who “says” the right words, but their actions in the past contradicts what they are saying? We all have our biases, but must let them go and vote with intregrity as if God were in the voting booth with us; afterall, he does know our hearts and sees all that we do. With our vote we can make our country more Godly or more worldly.
mike wittmer on February 15, 2012 at 9:25 am
Right on, Marvin! I need to remember that “good enough” is never good enough, but I must press on for the prize.
daisymarygoldr on February 15, 2012 at 5:51 pm
In the tropics where I grew up, because of extended monsoons we had to often deal with pest infestation. At one point, it was a daily drama at our home when my sisters and I stayed up late in the nights to study. The silence of peaceful nights used to get shattered by our blood-curdling screams— with cockroaches flying, the cats chasing, then crunching their conscious corpses and playfully tossing them around. Creepy creatures make my flesh crawl.
Have been in places where people don’t seem to be bothered to see them crawling out and about in broad daylight. This is an indication the problem is out of control and has become an accepted norm. Also, pests are tolerated when we start treating them as pets. Many actually take pride to possess snakes, spiders, and cockroaches as pets. There were instances where snakes bit the hand that fed them milk— by those who worshipped them.
When sin is tolerated individually in our lives and saturates the Church, it spills out brazenly in broad daylight. “Sin that used to slink down back alleys now struts down Main Street.” Things which should shock and disgust us no longer bother our conscience. One church is proud that sometimes their services are rated R— when people share their stories within their safe walls. Sadly, sinful lifestyle of Christians which even makes pagans to blush with shame— has become the accepted norm in the church here in this country.
Paul calls for sin to be exposed and exterminated. If left unchecked sin always leads to torment, misery, disease, and death. We are known by the company we keep and “bad company corrupts good character.” If we say we know God, then we need to stop sinning (1 Corinthians 15: 33-34). When flesh and its lusts is not completely crucified, it will surely come back to bite us. The Bible tells us to mortify i.e. to put to death the deeds of our sinful nature through the power of the Spirit. Also, the light of God’s Word is an effective repellant that will enable us to enjoy sin-free Christian living.