"they enter and dwell there"
Luke 11:26
Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Or does it depend what's in the glass and how thirsty you are?
Actually, a friend of mine once told me, it depends if you're drinking it or pouring it. That one made a lot of sense to me.
But I'll tell you what's important to note: the glass is always full. Because even if it's not full of liquid (or popcorn or jello or graham cracker crumbs or anything else), air comes in to fill that space. I guess that's what is meant by the saying "nature abhors a vacuum". I'm not sure I know enough about science to be sure that's true. Certainly things are different in outer space than they are here on earth. So maybe it's not entirely true. The only thing I know for a fact is that children abhor vacuuming...
But you know that in normal circumstances, here on earth, any space emptied of any substance is automatically filled with air. Nothing empty stays empty for long. That's also true, by the way, of cleaned off countertops, closet shelves, and women's purses.
And it's true of you and me.
In Luke 11, Jesus cast a demon out of a man, and shortly afterward, told the disciples the following: "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he {the spirit} goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first."
Here's another way to put it: Pulling weeds out of a garden only leaves room for more to grow back. If you want to prevent the weeds, you need to plant something else in that space. You might still have to pull some weeds, but there'll be a whole lot fewer of them, when there's less space for them.
Do you see what's being illustrated here? Taking steps to remove something negative in our lives ~ whether it's habits, actions or thoughts ~ is only half the battle. You need to then fill the hole you've created in your schedule or your mind.
If it's something in your calendar, there are plenty of options for you to fill the holes. Attending a church, finding a Bible Study, listening to a sermon online, getting together with people you know are living for Him.... not to mention prayer, reading and studying the Bible on your own.
If you're working to rid yourself of negative thoughts or even desires that aren't right for you, it's a little harder. Our minds can quickly and frequently return to places we don't want them to. The answer here, in one word is: Word. The word is Word. His Word is the only word you need! There is a verse for every situation you come across, and this where study comes in, because sometimes you have to go looking for what you need.
Got a problem with anger? Find a verse on love or forgiveness and remind yourself of it whenever your thoughts wander where you don't want them.
Fighting with desires or coveting, outside of what is God's will for you? Find a verse on wanting His will, or on serving others.
Feeling discouraged, or low on faith? Read a gospel, and remind yourself of what He did for you. Then read Revelation, and remind yourself of what He's going to do.
Take out what doesn't belong in your life, and fill it with what does.
~ "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just,
whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely,
whatever things are of good report,
things of virtue, things which are praiseworthy,
meditate on these" ~
Philippians 4:8
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