Get Rid of the Residue
ENCOURAGE
Affirmation: “I carry the aroma of Heaven.”
Have you ever been around someone who smokes, and even after it’s been hours since they smoked, the stench still remains? Most times, even if they try to cover it up with perfume or another layer of clothing, the smell always seeps through. Well, this is because the only way to completely get rid of the stench is for their clothes be washed clean!
This same concept is true in our walk with God. If we made the decision to follow Jesus and live the set apart life He’s called us to live, there should be a distinct “stench” that comes from our lives. There should be an aroma that seeps through all we do and all we are. It is the aroma of heaven. It’s the tangible evidence of us being washed clean by the Word and purified with His fire.
The unfortunate thing however is that many Believers are still walking around with the stench of their past because they have not gotten rid of the residue. You may be wondering what that looks like, so allow me to provide you with a few examples:
you put off filthy language and gossip, but you still listen to filthy music/gossip-centered entertainment.
you got out of that relationship that was displeasing to God, but still haven’t deleted those texts, photos, and videos from your phone.
you gave up fornicating, but still look at inappropriate content or have inappropriate self-pleasure habits.
you learned about financial wisdom, but are still over-indulgent and unwise in your spending habits.
you started going to church, but don’t even try to live out the word you received on a daily basis.
you received the forgiveness of God, but still are holding onto grudges from the past.
You see, even though God washes us clean, it is up to us to stay clean in Him by letting go of the things that leave the residue of our past in our lives and may tempt us to go back to the darkness. I’m not talking about people who are struggling with sin and actually working with God to overcome those sins; I’m talking about those who are aware that their habits/beliefs/attitudes are sinful and counterproductive to their walk with God, but continue to keep them around in their life “just in case.” My friend, if you’re holding onto habits, people, beliefs, attitudes, and places that the Lord has called you out of, there’s no way you can step into His promised land for you.
You cannot move forward if you’re constantly looking backwards. You cannot make progress if you don’t take that first step. You cannot experience transformation if you’re not committed to change. You see, God takes us all through a sanctification process, and ultimately it is HIM who works in us to will and to do His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13), so it won’t be in your own strength that you let these things go, but your faith is what God needs to partner with in order for His power to flow through you. Your faith in His power is what will help you overcome.
You have to understand that the Lord wants you COMPLETELY. Not half way. Not 99%. Not 99.99999%. He wants all of you. Whatever it is that is holding you back from surrendering totally and moving forward in your new identity in Christ, it’s not worth holding. Let it go. Surrender and allow Him to wash away all the residue of the past so you can walk in the promise of the present.
EQUIP
Meditation Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 2:14-16
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Ephesians 4:17-32
1 Corinthians 15:33-34
BUILD
Call to Action: Identify an area of your life that may be carrying the stench of your past. Think about why you may have been carrying it for so long and process with God (through prayer) how you can let it go. Allow Him to wash away the residue of the past so that you can walk in the fullness of His present promises.
