When Spiritual Rodents Move In

What hides in darkness will eventually reveal itself. The question is not whether unwanted things try to move in, but whether we are willing to confront, remove, and guard what occupies the hidden spaces of our lives.

In my travels, I always enjoyed the beauty and diversity of God’s creation, great and small. I cherish moments when time seems to stand still and I feel His presence in the majesty of the Grand Canyons, powerful oceans, Hawaiian volcanic lands, and the foliage of Autumn.  Creation never fails to create a place of tranquility amid uncertain times.

Some years ago, we settled in a suburban community with a wildlife preserve that encourages living in harmony with nature.  Florida’s temperate climate affords us the privilege of natural, outdoor beauty all year.  On any given day, I see an assortment of vegetation and animals swimming, flying, or wandering through the neighborhood. Most of them I enjoy, but there are a few I despise like insects, snakes, and rodents.

Imagine my angst when I heard something moving above my head…it was in the attic.  I had no idea what was roaming around up there from squirrels, rodents, or raccoons.  Apparently, an unusually cold Florida winter caused animals to seek indoor shelter, and something found its way into my attic.  

Houston, we have a problem!!  

As much as I appreciate nature, not these unwelcome guests. I do not like when nature infringes on my territory, moving into my space without my permission or paying rent!  I have no desire for squatters, of any kind, so it had to go immediately. After contacting a pest control company, they explained the general removal process. First, they had to find and seal off the entry points. Second, they had to set up bait to trap the creatures. Third, they removed anything that was captured. Fourth, they sanitized and deodorized the area.  

As I reflected on these steps, I thought about the invisible creatures that infiltrate our “spiritual attics.” Creatures like anger, jealousy, gossip, lust, lying, cheating, and a host of other unhealthy thoughts people hide in the crevices of their hearts and minds. These “creatures” function like spiritual stowaways quietly taking up space until they eventually reveal themselves in our character and actions.  

Then I realized the process to cleaning out the natural attic is similar to cleaning out the spiritual attic.

First, when moral depravity is unveiled we need to repent and recognize our responsibility to seal off the entry points in our hearts and minds. How did these“creatures” get access into my life, my family, my health, my finances, my career?  What gave them authority or permission to occupy my spiritual, emotional, or mental space?

Second, we need to set spiritual “traps” by establishing healthy defenses and boundaries to capture and cast out detrimental thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors before they take root.  What are you allowing to enter your life gates (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, heart) that influences your thoughts and actions? What safeguards are in place to protect your integrity?

Accountability is key.

Third, when spiritual rodents identified they must be evicted and replaced with healthy, Christlike thinking accompanied by intentional actions.  Thoughts without corresponding actions will not change anything. An empty, unguarded house is vulnerable to invasion again. So, it is critical to be intentional with what we remove and what we cultivate in our lives. Where are you investing your physical, mental, and emotional resources? Is it fruitful?

Finally, we must purify our hearts to ensure there is no remaining waste causing contamination and infection.  Our lives should be a pleasant aroma impacting the people we live, work, and interact with routinely.  What areas of your mental, emotional, and spiritual spaces need to be sanitized and restored?

I was glad to be free of those creatures in my attic, but it did not happen overnight.  

Deliverance is often a process that requires God’s power and our cooperation to be free.  It also comes with the responsibility to maintain our freedom by choosing the right thoughts and actions. How foolish it would be to unseal the same entry points and allow those creatures access or opportunity back into my attic! Yet, people do this in their spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, and financial lives every day.  

The deception is believing we can have it all or fearing we are missing out. The truth is no one can have it all or serve two different masters, God or anything else. If we belong to God, then our lives reflect His character.  Christians reject an immoral, unrighteous, unkind, selfish way of life. Instead, we carry God’s presence in everything we do, both publicly and privately.  

Some things in life cannot be avoided like creatures invading your home; however, we can determine how long they get to stay there.  We are empowered to choose what we entertain and what we remove from our lives if it threatens our physical, mental, or spiritual well-being.

So, check your spiritual attic today, and if you find unwelcomed guests…you now know what to do.

What we entertain in hidden places will eventually influence what is visible in our lives.

Freedom requires more than removing what is harmful. It requires guarding what we allow back in.

Restoration begins when we invite God to cleanse the spaces we try to ignore.

Take a moment to reflect:

What unhealthy thoughts, habits, or influences have quietly taken up residence in your spiritual attic?

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Identity first. Integrity always. Lead intentionally.