As I was reading this, this reminded me of a situation that I was in. I was carrying some measure of defilement from the things I had observed. When we walk in the world, we must be careful not to become defiled with the things that are in the world. Many things in the world of media are tainted and are born from those who are totally alienated from the life of God. The fruits of their corrupt tree are not meant to be partaken of. Demonic spirits spread filth on us and in the spirit realm, it can be quite unseemly. We can't see or smell it, but it is there nonetheless.
I want to list a "few" scriptures that speak of the "savour" we carry. We are supposed to be drawn from the world, and bearing the sweet savour of a living sacrifice. It is the savour that Jesus inhabits and it is that savour that draws men to the kingdom (or away depending on their heart condition).
I present these with no sense of condemnation, but even though we present ourselves to God after partaking of some defiling worldly things, and He forgives us as we repent, their is a residue left behind that must be dealt with. After it is (although we don't walk by feelings), we have "weights" lifted from us (really spirits) and to be clean is a freeing thing. These weights keep us from being able to go to church and do the things that we are called to. Our spirit is willing, but...
Just consider these scriptures and pick up on the "savour" and
let the Holy Spirit minister the Word to you in a way that does not condemn you, but rather draws you in to liberty and the sweet savour of God and His burden that is light.
I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.
Ezek 20:41 (KJV).
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and
a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Eph 5:1-2 (KJV)
But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you,
an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
Phil 4:18 (KJV)
We are as a savour in the sight of God as we yield our lives to Him.
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ,
and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
2 Cor 2:14-16 (KJV)
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Salt is good: but
if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?
Luke 14:33-34 (KJV)
No condemnation given by me here, but the key word here is defilement. We're supposed to be going around as chaste virgins, in the robes of righteousnes (wedding garments).
And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings,
wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.
Ezek 20:43 (KJV)
The key word here is "pollution", which we all doubtlessly find ourselves in, but as overcomers we should endeavor to cooperate with the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.
Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes,
but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.
Ezek 20:16 (KJV)
The sabbath is where we cease from our own works and enter into His, by faith.
The fruits begin to manifest in other areas of our lives. I remember the Lord once said that the enemy only inhabits areas of our lives that are not completely sanctified.
Other then missing church lately I have been backsliding the past few months because I started listening to the music I use to like heavy metal / rap. I started smoking hookah back in October and I do it multiple times a week and I have started using bad language again which I really hate but it slips out
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs?
so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
James 3:10-12 (KJV)
Our fruits become "woeful" and it is no longer the abundant life the Lord desires for us.
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Isaiah 5:20 (KJV)
It's important to guard the "gates" of our "city". What we watch on TV, movies, etc., in addition to music we let in our ear gates, words we repeat from our mouth gate, etc. can "loose" the enemy into the city that is our being.
The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
Luke 11:34-36 (KJV)
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
Jonah 2:8 (KJV)
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Prov 3:3 (KJV)
What other Christians (and even worldly people) perceive is often what we're toting around. We can pick up filth.
Through no fault of others, we can be in need of a good cleanup and others keep us at length, though they mean well.
The choice is ours.
When we repent, as far as kingdom realities are concerned, renounce behaviors out loud and use the name of Jesus and speak against the offending behaviors (sword against the enemy).
May your vengeance upon your enemies be sweet.
