Then I will encamp at my house as a guard, so that none shall march to and fro; no oppressor shall again march over them, for now I see with my own eyes. (Zechariah 9:8, ESV)
I recently read a magazine article on home security, and it gave some helpful insights on keeping intruders out and securing valuables in the event someone does break into the home. The article talked about locks and deadbolts, securing garages, and where to hide valuables. I wondered if I should rush out and buy some of those secure (and expensive) locks. Do I need more lighting, security cameras, an alarm company? Or are my motion lights and video doorbell sufficient?
There is another type of home security that we often overlook. We may unwittingly leave the door unlocked and make the entrance of these intruders easy. I’m talking about things that compromise the spiritual security of our homes. Do we spend as much time safeguarding our family’s souls as we do securing our material possessions?
Galatians 5:19-21 provides quite a list of things it calls “works of the flesh.” These are things our sinful nature will gravitate toward if we do not keep our spiritual house strong.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (ESV).
You might protest, “I would never allow such evil in my home.” Not intentionally perhaps, but we can desensitize ourselves to sin by the things we see, hear, and allow to invade our thoughts. You may not be sexually immoral, but do you gossip? That’s a security breach. What entertainment do you and your family view? Does it condition you to think these things are acceptable and have no consequences? That’s a security breach. It is vital that we guard our homes against anything that goes against the commandments within God’s Word. Otherwise, we are allowing the enemy of our soul an entry point into our home. His whole purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
The passage in Galatians continues with another list, this one with positive attributes. If we fill our homes with things from this list, we will be safe and blessed.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (verses 22-23 ESV).
Thankfully, I have never had my home invaded by a burglar. I try to use common sense, exercise caution, and pray over my home. But I want to be equally attentive to keep my spiritual house safe. To do that I will guard the type of entertainment I bring into my home. I will watch that my spirit does not become contentious, angry, jealous, or filled with hatred. I will show caution in what I see, hear, and say. I will fill my heart and my mind with the pure Word of God and spend time in prayer each day.
“Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:9-11, ESV)
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