Last week we saw that what we plant in our minds, will take root in our hearts, grow, and then manifest itself through our words. So if we are not happy with what tumbles out “in the moment,” how do we change it?
As any good mechanic or plumber will tell you that before you put anything new in a system, you have to flush out the bad, and usually you can do that by running clean water through it. And this can’t be a trickle. It needs to have some thrust to it.
We are absolutely no different. We need to flush out the bad that has worked its way into our hearts by sending in a surging stream of the good. And what is the good? The Bible talks of two things we need to be filled with––God’s word and His spirit.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly ….” Collisions 3:16
“Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11
When we are going through the flushing out process, we can’t just read small portions of the Bible (though there is a time for deep reflection over small passages); rather we need to flood ourselves with God’s word. A little dribble will not displace all that Satan has crowded into our minds and hearts. A short verse here and there will not counter a day’s worth of worldly onslaught. We need to hear God’s voice more than Satan’s.
And even if we read more than we can understand at the time, it will not be in vain. For as Isaiah 55:11 says, “… my word … will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
We also need to be filled with God’s spirit (Ephesians 5:18), which God promises to give us (John 14: 26).
The greatest miracle about this flushing out and filling up with God’s Word and His Spirit is that they produce abundantly more: an understanding of the word; joy and peace; hope; and all the fruits of the spirit. (see verses below)
So let’s “Fill ‘er Up!”
Verses:
But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you. (John 14:26)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
As any good mechanic or plumber will tell you that before you put anything new in a system, you have to flush out the bad, and usually you can do that by running clean water through it. And this can’t be a trickle. It needs to have some thrust to it.
We are absolutely no different. We need to flush out the bad that has worked its way into our hearts by sending in a surging stream of the good. And what is the good? The Bible talks of two things we need to be filled with––God’s word and His spirit.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly ….” Collisions 3:16
“Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11
When we are going through the flushing out process, we can’t just read small portions of the Bible (though there is a time for deep reflection over small passages); rather we need to flood ourselves with God’s word. A little dribble will not displace all that Satan has crowded into our minds and hearts. A short verse here and there will not counter a day’s worth of worldly onslaught. We need to hear God’s voice more than Satan’s.
And even if we read more than we can understand at the time, it will not be in vain. For as Isaiah 55:11 says, “… my word … will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
We also need to be filled with God’s spirit (Ephesians 5:18), which God promises to give us (John 14: 26).
The greatest miracle about this flushing out and filling up with God’s Word and His Spirit is that they produce abundantly more: an understanding of the word; joy and peace; hope; and all the fruits of the spirit. (see verses below)
So let’s “Fill ‘er Up!”
Verses:
But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you. (John 14:26)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
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