Clean Out Your Closet

Some of the strangest things can be found in bedroom closets—clothes you haven’t fit in since high school, boxes of photographs (maybe even framed), writings that may be worth reading again, books, electronic equipment—and then there’s the assortment of everyday clothes that you actually do wear. Why is it so hard for people to clean out their closets? I find that it’s often because one becomes “comfortable” with what’s in there—and the more comfortable one becomes, the more attached, and the more attached…well, the harder it is to let it go.

It’s the same way in our walk with God. And sometimes we even use the same rationales.

I may need it someday.

Most likely that thing you may need someday will be way out of style, out of date, out of production by the time you ever end up needing it. It’s really out of fear that we hold on to these things. The fear of what we would do if we discovered we made the wrong call and really did end up needing that item. We won’t have it to “fall back” on. And that’s what we often do in the Christian life—we have secret “fall back” plans. If following Jesus wholeheartedly isn’t really possible, I can just go back to my mediocre Christian life.  With all the stuff I don’t really need—but it feels good to have around. It’s familiar. Hesitation. Doubt. Anxiety. Fear.

I’ve had it for so long.

I understand sentimentality, but it’s healthy to periodically evaluate what is useful or adds meaning to our lives—and what doesn’t. In terms of the spirit, these would be strongholds—mindsets and patterns we’ve held so long they seem like they’re just part of who we are—which of course is what the enemy wants us to believe.  How can a stronghold of fear in someone’s life be something worth holding onto? We cloak these things with explanations like “I’m just hesitant to try new things” or “I know from experience…” Maybe your experience is your stronghold. If we base how we follow God on our experience, we will be a bunch of hopeless doubters.

I like it.

We may not have a remotely logical reason for keeping it—we just like it. But what if those things we “like” no longer fit with the direction of our lives. In terms of home décor or changing clothing styles, it’s easy to understand. But what about those things you know are not of benefit to you? Those things that have huge potential to cause you to stumble—or at least keep you focused on the wrong things? What you watch on television; the kind of music you listen to; maybe even the places you used to hang out and/or the people you choose to spend your time with. You may not be sinning by keeping some of these practices in your life, but we have to evaluate our spiritual health according to I Corinthians 10:23a – “"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial.”

Clean It Out

I like to think of the “closet” as a metaphor for the recesses of our hearts. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” In the World English Bible the second part reads, “…for out of it is the wellspring of life.” Is what you are keeping in there serving as a wellspring of life, or is it more of an “ugly sweater”?: Jealousy, contempt, impure thoughts, self-condemnation. It’s time to move those things out! If our thoughts don’t line up with the mind of Christ, it’s time to clean out our closets. And in the case of our hearts, we need to do a little more than just put together a donation box. II Corinthians 10:5 – “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Did you catch that word that tell what we do to those things that argue with the truth of the Lord? We are to demolish them. And we do that by declaring the Word of God over those areas of our lives. We renounce/”Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9b). The beginning of that scripture says “Love must be sincere.” If we love Christ and recognize His love for us, then we have no choice but to follow Him in all our choices.

May your closet overflow with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These things are not governed by rules and regulations but by the Spirit of God dwelling richly inside you. When they are found in your closet, you will be truly stylin’. For you’ll be wearing “name brand” stuff—“…for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved" (Act 4:12b). That name is Jesus. “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:21). That word is Jesus. Don’t hang on to what is not of eternal value. Judgmentalism. Pride. Bitterness. Submit your heart and all its ways to the Lord, and He will help you clean out your closet.