Originally published Monday, 02 December 2013.
This post was originally found on www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org. Used with permission.
This one is a tough one. Anyone who has ever been through a spiritual purging before knows exactly what I’m talking about. However, if you’ve never experienced it, just hold on, because it’s a part of the spiritual growth process in your Christian walk. It’s the part where the things that are not like Christ have to be removed from our lives to produce spiritual maturity. It doesn’t feel too hot, but the good news is that the Holy Spirit is there to guide us every step of the way. Our job is to allow him to do his perfect work in us willingly, as he prepares us for the next level.
If you’re reading this post today, it’s not by chance. God wants to take you higher in Him and in service, but you cannot go higher with dead weights attached to you. For this next level, you will have to get rid of the weights. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.” (NLT) When God is purging us, it means that He wants to free us from the sin and impurities in our lives. It’s hard to go higher in God and do more for the kingdom if sin is weighing us down.
Before I go further, you need to know what the word purge actually means. It’s defined as to free from impurities, purify, to remove by cleansing, to get rid of sin, guilt, defilement, and to empty. It’s almost like throwing up or vomiting. I hate to put it that way, but it’s the perfect illustration! And just like vomiting, which is an involuntary spasmic movement that is ejected from the mouth; Purging is an involuntary spasmic movement that is ejected from the heart.
The reason its involuntary is because when God wants to purge something out of your life that is not like His Son, it comes without much warning. One day, you wake up and feel yucky inside and you just know that there’s something going on in your spirit that’s not right. And then the Holy Spirit begins to reveal things to you that are not right about what you’ve been thinking or doing in your life, and he wants it out. Sometimes, you don’t even know that there’s a problem. Yet, God knows. And that’s when the purging process begins.
This is a pretty emotionally painful process, and sometimes it comes with immense pressure. When God runs you through a cleansing or purging process, things will begin to become illuminated in your life and it will be uncomfortable. If it’s pride, you’ll run into prideful situations and it should feel yucky. If you’ve been thinking negative thoughts, He’ll remind you of what you’ve been thinking about that you need to clean up. If you’re doing impure things or thinking impure thoughts, He’ll reveal that to you. The list can go on and on. I’ll admit, this is very personal between you and God. But if not checked, it can be very dangerous for others around you spiritually. Meaning your unchecked sin can destroy your witness and make you non-effective for the kingdom. So let God do this work in you. Once He shows you the problem areas, the next steps are to pray, confess where you truly are to God, and repentance needs to take place from your heart.
This is not easy, but it must be done. God wants to use you as a pure and clean vessel for service. The Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 2:19 & 21, “The Lord knows those who are his, and those who claim they belong to him must turn away from all wickedness…If you keep yourselves pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master’s use for every good work.” (NLT) So get it right with Him. Get cleaned up!
Again, sometimes you don’t know what’s really going on or you can’t really pinpoint the problem, but that’s when I would suggest that you go into deep prayer and ask the Lord, “Where is the hindrance, Father? Where is my problem? What do you want me to get rid of that’s not like you?” You’ll have to ask these tough questions and do a self-examination. He’s faithful to answer and show you. But the next step would be to follow through in obedience to empty yourself before Him, so that you can move higher in Him.
God wants to use you and me for His glory sis, but habitual or hidden sin (iniquity) cannot be present. And we have to lay aside the weights and get rid of the sin that’s present in our lives. Pride is a weight. Having a bad attitude (mindset) is a weight, impure thoughts and actions is a weight. Lack of time spent in his presence and Word is a weight, disobedience is a weight. Selfish ambition is a weight. These are also sins against the Lord. So again, whatever, the weight or sin is, let God purge you from it. It’s time! Even if you don’t understand it all, let the Holy Spirit empty you anyway so that you can truly be a vessel of honor that God can use (Read Proverbs 3:5-6 on trusting the Lord). It’s time to go to the next level sis. Come on…let’s do this!
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s get ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
*Thanks for reading! I hope and pray that you’ve been enlightened from this post. Feel absolutely free to leave a comment or for questions you can email me directly at insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com, and I will respond promptly. Also, tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts! Don’t forget to “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye) and share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!
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