Down the neighborhood a ways sits a well-kept home. The yard is mowed, the flowers and shrubs have curb appeal, and the home looks freshly painted. No cracks appear in the flat-stone sidewalk, and the trees around the home offer plenty of cool shade. For all intents and purposes, this is the perfect place to live. So why have the owners placed a For Sale sign in the yard?
Perhaps the family outgrew it, or the owner’s job transferred him. Maybe a death created an unneeded residence, or the owner is just curious about what he could be offered in today's market. One thing’s for sure, all sorts of individuals traipsing into the home will bring unwanted things. Some will deposit dirt from their shoes. Some will throw trash on the floor. Others will leave spiritual garbage like the fleas off a dog.
As the Passover feast approached, Judas Iscariot had already made his decision, and Satan used the instance to take advantage of Judas’ lapse. Judas took thirty silver coins in exchange for betraying Jesus.
Danger comes when we wonder what could be or open our homes to unknowns. The same is true for our spiritual well-being. Judas went astray when his love of money pulled him from Jesus. Reading astrological charts, viewing Internet offerings, and going to that particular place where we open our heart to desired emotions put us at risk. As one saying goes, "The devil can only come into your life if you invite him."
We endanger our faith by stepping away from Jesus’ Word—whether by curiosity, emotional stress, or anger.
Take a look at what you’ve invited into your home and recognize how it affects your Christian foundations. Perhaps it’s time to take down the For Sale sign.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Oh that every home in America would read and take to heart this devotional and begin protecting themselves and their family from the outside predators!