ARE YOU A HOARDER?

ARE YOU A HOARDER?

Galatians 5:19-23 (New King James Version)

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

"hoarder"- One who hoards; one who accumulates, collects, and stores

There is a show that I ran across on TV the other day, called "Hoarders." It's about people who obsessively collect all types of things, like clothes, art, antiques, etc. Their homes are literally stacked to the ceiling with these things that they've accumulated; with barely room to move!

In most cases, their homes have become unsafe and unhealthy to live in! Many of these people won't even invite anyone (including their children and close friends) to their home because they are embarrassed! But due to whatever underlying issues are causing this behavior, they can't abstain from obtaining more 'stuff.'

As I sat watching the show, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me. He showed me how many of us are hoarders too! Maybe not in the physical sense, but spiritually speaking.

You see, we tend to hoard (hold on to, accumulate) anger, frustration, doubt, fear, unbelief, sorrow, etc. We allow these things to build up inside of us until they become a deadly poison to our very souls; and there's no room for the Holy Spirit to move about freely! We push Him right on out, because we are so consumed with a bunch of ungodly junk!

At the end of the episode, the 2 people whose lives were showcased, got help! And eventually they began to clean out their homes to where it once again became a safe haven and healthy place to dwell! And they were proud to allow others to come into their homes! It took a lot of work, but they were wise to know that their problem would only get worse unless they were willing to part ways with their 'stuff.'

Hmmm....We might be wise to do a (spiritual) housecleaning ourselves! Let the Holy Spirit be your Guide, and help you get rid of all the unnecessary, unwanted, unhealthy junk! Make room for Him and hoard HIS stuff!  You know, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. (Galatians 5:22-23) I guarantee it will change your life in ways that supersede your wildest imaginations! Try it!

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