Proverbs 22:10
“Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.”
Joshua 7 gives an account of one man that brought the army of Israel to its knees. As they went to fight Ai, they marked this battle in their win column before the battle even begun. After they left in defeat, they raised their arms to heaven wondering why God allowed them to be defeated. All of this was because of the sins of Achan. God needed to clean house in Israel before they could move forward.
Do you have a closet or drawer in your home that could use some TLC? Over time, we allow little closets in our lives to become untouched. We don’t visit the problems that we are aware of. Instead, we close the door and act like all is well. This might fool your house guests that you invite over for dinner, but this doesn’t fly with the Lord.
Contention leaves when the scorner is dismissed. Think of a security guard escorting a trouble maker out of a business. The trouble has to be removed so the work can continue. Progress is hindered or even halted completely when trouble is allowed to fester. What junk drawer in your life needs some attention that can hinder God giving you victory for a battle that you need to win in the future? If you want God’s help and desire His presence, you need a regular cleaning to keep your life pure so God can work through you. After David’s sin, he prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
Wisdom for the Day:
When you keep your life clean, you make your life usable. God will not allow progress when there is unconfessed sin that you have neglected to remove.