Empty Spaces: What Fills Your Life?

Introduction:

How empty spaces in our lives can lead us into trouble if we're not careful. We’re diving into Matthew 12:43–45, where Jesus talks about a spirit that leaves a person and then comes back with more spirits. Let's unpack what this means for us today.

Main Points:

1. The Danger of Empty Spaces

- Jesus tells us about a spirit that leaves a person and then decides to come back. When it returns, it finds the person’s life swept clean and put in order. But here’s the catch—the space is still empty.

- Think about a time when you cleaned up your room really well, but it was still empty. It didn't take long before it was filled up again, right? Sometimes, not always with good things.

- In our lives, when we get rid of a bad habit or sin, and we don't fill that space with something good, there's a risk that the old ways can come back—even worse than before. It's like leaving the door wide open for trouble.

2. Filling the Void Properly

- So, how do we fill these spaces? It’s not enough to just clean house; we need to invite Jesus into every corner of our lives.

- Imagine your heart is like a home. When Jesus moves in, He doesn’t just tidy up; He brings life, love, joy, peace—everything good you can think of! This is what protects us from those "spirits" that want to come back.

3. Continuous Renewal

- Keeping our spiritual house in order isn't a one-time deal. It's an ongoing process. Every day, we need to make the choice to renew our commitment to Jesus, to let Him fill us up.

- We can fill our lives with prayer, reading the Bible, connecting with fellow believers, and serving others. These practices help keep our "house" full of God's presence, leaving no room for those old spirits to return.

Conclusion:

Just like when you fill your home with love and laughter, it becomes a place where positive things thrive. In the same way, when we fill our lives with Jesus, there's no room for the bad stuff to come back. Let’s commit today to not just clean out the negative, but to fill up with all that is good. Let’s keep our spiritual houses full and vibrant with the presence of God!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, help us to fill the empty spaces in our lives with Your love and Your truth. Protect us from the temptation to fill up with the wrong things, and guide us as we strive to keep our spiritual house filled with Your presence. Amen.