Shower, bath, wipe down…all are different forms of external cleansing methods. In cleansing outwardly, you fight off diseases and viruses that are aiming to attack your body. This is the first line of defense. Repeated regularly, it can halt a lot of attacks that will stop you from accomplishing what you need to get done at any given moment.
Internally, our bodies are designed to cleanse themselves. Impurities that make it beyond our external barriers, are attacked and expelled via the liver, kidneys, and/or intestines. Without prompting, your body will automatically siphon out things that do not belong. The white blood cells and antibodies locate and attack any foreign substances, and even memorize the cellular signatures of those infectious attackers to expel them quicker if they should return.
Spiritually, however, we face defeat on a consistent basis because we neglect to detox our spirits! We obtain deliverance, freedom, and the expulsion of unhealthy relationships, feelings, and situations. But we never filter out our spiritual system to strengthen our resistance against falling BACK into the same place we have come from and succumbing to the attacks again!
Don’t take this perspective as an accusation of misconduct…rather, view it as a plea for a shift in perspective to close the door on past spiritual oppositions. It is time to spiritually detox:
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (KJV) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
1. Fight the spiritual fight.
The strongholds in our lives are spiritual blockers that relentlessly detain us from advancing forward physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. They attack our will to change, and constantly divert our attention to less important issues. Strongholds like fear, doubt, grudges, hurt, pain, anger, and frustration require a spiritual fight to overcome them. This is not an easy fight. It is the toughest one of all. Because there is no physical person to target, you have to fight this battle without your fists…but you have to fight nonetheless. Face them head on!
2. Lifestyle change.
Knowing your weapons are good, but it is even better knowing how to use them. The indication for your spiritual detox is evident in the fifth verse noted above: pulling down strongholds is the same as “casting down imaginations and EVERY high thing that” comes against what you already know about God! Cast down fear, lust, irritation….ANYTHING that stands in the way of you believing God.
I want to alter your perspective, though, because the imaginations do not make you question if God exists…they make you wonder if God will come through! When detoxing, you have to change how you think and approach the situations that occur in your life! Problems will not stop; they will remain relentless and even increase in frequency — changing how you approach those problems will ensure your spiritual cleansing remains constant and help to defend against a return of the filth that infected your will and eroded your progression in the first place.
Revelation 12:11 (KJV) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
3. Remember what you went through.
When your spirit is detoxing, you need to cleanse yourself. But do not forget! Do not forget what you had to claw out of…and do not forget the work you had to put in to get where you are currently. That is what builds your testimony. Some people keep logs, and some keep diaries, but you must to remember it all!
The more you remember, the more it should push you to keep going! Looking back to remember is only to reflect on your “before” with the intent to continue your progression “after.”
Start that cleanse now. Get rid of the hurt and pain, but never forget what you had to go through to get where you are. This cleanse…this detox…is going to help you lose spiritual weight.
Hebrews 12:1 (KJV) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…
Originally posted on October 31, 2018 @ 12:00 PM