Take out the Trash!

Trash (garbage) – worthless material that is discarded, rubbish, refuge from human habitation.

Introduction

All over the world regardless of the economic or social status of the household one thing that takes place on a daily basis, is taking out the trash (garbage). That traditionally has been assigned to the oldest granddaughter. How unhappy they were when told to take out the trash. It was not really that complicated. Just a simple gathering of contents from the waste baskets in the house and then a large vinyl garbage bag was filled up and tied. Then this bag was carried outside a distance of about 30 meters to the large garbage can. That container was rolled out to the road side to await the arrival of the municipal garbage truck. That was the end of it. At least, until the next day or how ever often the garbage was carried out of the house.

Of course the kitchen sink disposed of some kinds of unwanted waste material along with the bathroom wash basins and bath tub. Then finally there are bathroom toilets which discretely remove some of the most undesirable waste matter from the home.

How about Spiritual Trash?

Many years ago I had a church deacon named Frank. As we got acquainted he told me of his life before he became a Christian and joined the local church. They owned a small country store located beside their house. He said that they used to party late on Saturday nights. He said that Sunday morning found their front yard which was right on a highway, full of beer bottles which had been thrown from the front porch. After he became a Christian the yard was no longer littered with alcohol bottles. Even the Red Man Chewing Tobacco pouch disappeared from his back pocket according to his testimony.

It may be that there are other signs of trash in or around Christian homes. They look the same on the outside and the interior may also be very neat and clean with every piece of furniture in its own place. There are other kinds of trash that are not so easily visible to the eye. Here is an example that may help explain that point.

When we lived in Ohio both Sharon and I took part in church summer camps. One year I served in a leadership position in a camp with nearly 150 teenagers. As the week went on, every young person in the camp accepted Jesus as Savior with the exception of one teen girl. No one could touch her. One evening I sat down after praying with those in the altar. I happened to sit behind that resistive teenage girl. I was quietly meditating on the Lord when I suddenly was shown a spiritual “video” of her home and family. Her parents were well respected church members, but their conversation and actions behind the close doors of the home showed an entirely different picture than the other church members saw.

They were extremely argumentative and unkind to their children and used language which is not normally becoming of Christians naming the Name of Christ. Finally realizing that the Holy Spirit was showing me what conditions this poor girl lived under, I quietly began to talk to her and asked questions about the circumstances she lived under. Soon her eyes filled with tears as she sensed that God knew the truth and that He loved her and wanted her to turn her life over to Him. Within minutes she prayed at the altar and accepted Jesus’ Love into her heart.

Trash is Universal

In forty years of ministry much of which has taken place in Asia, I have seen all kinds of trash – spiritual and natural. The natural trash varies by country and depends on many factors. In some developing nations visited small stores simply threw their trash out the front door. There were animals that roamed the streets and would make quick work of any food products they found. Other poor countries had thatched roofs but even swept the dirt outside the house. They were poor, but kept their home as clean as possible burning their unwanted trash. Other wealthy nations disposed of their trash in modern ways where you would never see it existed.

The spiritual trash was more common or similar regardless of the social or economic level. It was difficult to spot, but there was evidence that it existed. I normally was a visiting church leader and everyone put their best foot forward in front of me. We were in large church meetings so how could one possibly know what went on in their homes behind closed doors?

Even in large church meetings the Holy Spirit frequently showed us signs of spousal abuse. It could be seen in bruises on children and wives. It could be seen in the downcast eyes of a young wife. In several cases it came out through spiritual revelation. We saw it in the church members as well as the minister’s families. We prayed and counseled when God opened the doors. Sometimes the Holy Spirit would prompt for the subjects of abuse, anger or adultery etc to be addressed from the pulpit in sermons.

Spiritual Application

The world is staggering under the strain of disposing of the numerous kinds of trash that are generated on a daily basis. I have seen the “Smoking Mountain” in Manila, Philippines. I have seen the tug boats in Tokyo hauling barges loaded with the huge city’s trash. Governments are concerned about the invisible “trash” that goes up into the atmosphere around us in the form of air pollution or into the soil or streams.

We should be most concerned about the spiritual trash that is found in our homes and families all around the globe. It is in the homes of both the saints and sinners. Jesus’ suffering, crucifixion and resurrection provided the means of cleaning out every spot of the sin and infirmities that have afflicted fallen mankind. The key is to recognize the problem and to seek the only source who can deal with man’s sin problem. That is Jesus Christ!

Satan has led people down blind alleys of New Age, false religions and deception in dealing with the spiritual trash. Many Christians have bought into his lies and use spiritual band aids of religious forms and man made traditions to deal with serious spiritual problems. Denial is rampant. They deny having a spiritual trash problem and try to cover it up with meaningless ceremonies and religious dogma. This has resulted in homes and families that have a horrible spiritual odor and infestation of spiritual insects and the resulting spiritual and physical illness associated with an overload of spiritual garbage.

Spiritual House Cleaning

This subject is so deep I fear that it cannot be properly dealt with in this article. At least we can take the lid of the garbage can and begin to recognize there is a problem and begin to deal with it as we prayerfully seek help from the Word of God and in heartfelt prayers.

Please consider the following scriptures and see what steps we need to take to begin to address our problem of spiritual trash.

Phil 3:8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. NIV

Crucify – stauroo to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness: (Strong's Numbers and Concordance)

Rom 6: 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin- 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. NIV

Old man – palaios antique, i.e. not recent, worn out: (Strong's Numbers and Concordance)

Rom 6:6 Your old evil desires (old man) were nailed to the cross with him; that part of you that loves to sin was crushed and fatally wounded, so that your sin-loving body is no longer under sin's control, no longer needs to be a slave to sin; 7 for when you are deadened to sin you are freed from all its allure and its power over you. TLB

Infirmity – astheneia feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty:

KJV - disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness. (Strong's Numbers and Concordance)

Isa 64: 5 You welcome those who cheerfully do good, who follow godly ways. But we are not godly; we are constant sinners and have been all our lives. Therefore your wrath is heavy on us. How can such as we be saved? 6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we put on our prized robes of righteousness, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves we fade, wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away. TLB

Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. KJV

Confess – acknowledge, admit give assent to.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. NIV

Eph 2: 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. NIV

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. KJV

Conclusion

This is an article that I don’t address lightly or glibly. This is serious business. It could mean the difference between life and death. The build up of “natural” trash in the environment, within our bodies from polluted foods and liquids we drink, in the atmosphere, and even in our homes will shorten our life and make us subject to sickness and disease that will kill us.

We also cannot continue to serve God and enjoy good spiritual health until the spiritual trash is removed from our homes, lives and families. It is a proven fact that those who are born and grow up in squalor begin to think that what they live in is “normal”. God has something better for His children. It is time to clean out our lives, homes and spiritual closets and to begin to breathe God’s clean air daily.

He wants His children to prosper and to be in health. 3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. KJV

My Suggestion

1. Take out your spiritual trash daily. As you arise and go to God in prayer take your infirmities, failures, strongholds, generational curses and sins to the Cross of Jesus Christ.

2. Confess your need for a fresh covering of the Blood of Jesus Christ over you and your family – spirit, soul, and body for the day. Ask for His Favor and guidance throughout the day.

3. Repent of all known sin and ask God to direct your steps into His Love and Anointing.

4. Visualize everything not of God in your life or home going out the door of your heart. Take it to the foot of the Cross of Calvary where Jesus died for our sins and weaknesses. Leave them at the cross to be brought to death (crucified) so as to not trouble you any more.

5. You will see some of these weaknesses (infirmities) will begin to disappear as you grow in God’s Grace and knowledge of His Word and Will in your daily life.

6. Confess the Power, Glory and attributes of God out loud as you praise Him for Victory.

7. Confess who you are in Christ. You are the head and not the tail. You are victorious and full of His Power and Word. You are an over come in Christ Jesus.

Go ahead and don’t complain. Just take out the spiritual garbage daily. God will show those dark corners of your home and life that His Word and Blood of Jesus will reach and clean out.

May you prosper and be in health as your soul prospers!

Daniel Corbett

“Reaching One Among Millions”