In modern health practice, people have a general understanding of how after a lifetime of filling our bodies with harmful chemicals, nutrition-stripped foods and toxic substances, all that junk takes a lot of effort to begin offloading to achieve a healthier you.
Our body has some natural ways of keeping us alive. It is always working to detoxify our bodies. We often don’t think about the importance of sweating, urinating, defecating, and the ever-present breathing.
In as little as 3 minutes, studies have shown a breakdown of brain tissue beginning if we deprive our bodies of oxygen. Moreover, it’s not only the feeding of oxygen but it is the exchange, the removal of carbon dioxide, other metabolism’s byproducts and toxins that the body must get rid of to allow room for the oxygen to get to every living cell in our bodies.
Similarly, when we are constipated, habitually hold urine, or retain toxins because we do not exercise enough to help our bodies to rid itself of more insidiously stored toxins, we feel sluggish, can’t think straight and probably stink as well.
It’s easy to see how our bodies suffer from the influx of the typical western diet of processed food, sedentary computer lifestyles and even the latest promoter of a sluggish lifestyle —-> electric bikes, scooters and anything that keeps you, especially young people, from getting exercise in its promoting of physical laziness.
On a day to day, minute by minute basis, our amazing bodies are tuned to keeping us alive and hopefully to avoid premature disease onsets.
SPIRITUAL DETOXIFICATION
As you would imagine, there are several spiritual equivalents to being physically rotten.
In the Letter to the Ephesians, Paul touches on how we must “no longer walk” in our old ways, the we must “put off your old self.”
17 Therefore this I say, and testify in the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their mind, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart. 19 And they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way— 21 if indeed you heard Him and were taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 to lay aside, in reference to your former conduct, the old man, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and to put on the new man, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. – Ephesians 4:17-24
As the passage indicates, the Christian life is a life that is marked with change, letting go of the ways of the world, to be replaced, transformed, and exchanged with the ways that are obedient to God’s will and the progress of spiritual “sanctification.”
Spiritual Health’s Societal Center
Central to our spiritual obstructions are any dysfunctions in our close relationships. Relationships are vital to a God who is a God of vital relationships as described in Scripture as The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.
Our earthly relationships (especially the family) are intended to reflect the divine relationship between God and the Church.
A right relationship between parents is central to child development. If a right relationship with God comes first, those priorities must be conveyed in the loving and respectful relations an example to developing children. From the parents’ relationship with each other and with community is a child’s concept of God built upon.
Obstacles are often formed by our worldly understanding of love, respect, order, our passions and even sex.
God’s Word offers spiritual guidances some are mentioned in Ephesians 5. Here are just the first verses.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
3 But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 nor filthiness and foolish talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no one sexually immoral or impure or greedy, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God – Ephesians 5:1-5
You may have experienced horrendous family experiences, maybe you were the source of those damaging experiences. Have you had an attack of self-awareness?
While the bar is set high, God shows us grace and forgiveness to those come humbly to Him with contrition and repentance.
“[Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the lowly, for they shall inherit the earth. – Matthew 5:3-5
It is through Christ that God has expressed His grace and redemption by which our lives can be transformed.
Detox System: Marriage and family as God’s expression
22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
Men have work to do to strive to be worthy of such subjection. Becoming a leader takes courage and wisdom. As you can see, a key part of detoxifying of our life resides in our attitudes and the conduct of our key relationships. The purpose is not only to live a more repentant and sanctified life but it is to prepare ourselves (the Church) to received by Christ Himself.
As I said, men have work to do, men and women need to mentor and guide the next generations to Christ and Christ-like behaviors.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great, but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband. – Ephesians 5:25-33.
There is much to be said about the man’s and woman’s fundamental roles and attitudes. More attention is given to Marriage in the Bible (God is Marriage’s author) than is commonly said in common culture, however, when it comes to the family and it being the brick of a spiritually strong or weak society, the role of parents cannot be overstated within a culture that grotesquely understates the important of Marriage.
Marriage is an institution created by God, and it is rooted in Biblical understanding of the roles of husbands and wives.
Factors: Singles, Sex, Marriage, and Friendship
If you are single, don’t fret. In Christ, you can find peace regardless of your circumstances.
When you are of the age, you should be building the characteristics of a potential husband or wife, or encouraging others in that process, in doing this will help you spirituality de-obstruct your life and your community. Everything is best rooted in the pursuit of God’s will. Every community will benefit for Godly men and women whether they are single, married or unmarried, we’re all part of the Church.
Like specialized nutrients fighting off disease in the body, like antioxidants, single people are less hindered by domestic responsibilities to pursue God’s will. The Apostle Paul wrote as much (e.g. 1 Corinthians 7), though Paul does concede the reality that the desire for sexual relations is strong driving force.
Surprise, sex is not the only reason for Marriage. The leadership of parents, particularly men needs to be taken in context, as family and the rearing of children in the ways of God is crucial to Godly spiritual development and an ordered God revering society.
The refining lessons learned, devotion, humility, responsibility, and courage that parents must develop are noble traits. A community of believers, singles and married, have much to learn from each other. The friendships of those who share common burdens (suffering in the world) and goals (seeking God’s will) are invaluable.
Peace is a central quality of being secure in God’s salvation and focusing on God will lead to unforeseen blessings whether you are single or married. By letting yourself be slaved to God’s wisdom and lovingkindness, you may just be the one who God uses to unblock large and small cases of spiritual constipation or tumors in your family or community.
Surviving in a toxic world
We are surrounded in a multi-faceted world that will overwhelm us with toxic substances. When we get threatened or hurt spiritually, God provides us a conscience as part of a regulating system. Like a finely tuned instrument, the conscience requires maintenance to keep from going awry, like becoming obstructed by the likes of hate, greed, lust, and unforgiveness, all which can damage our consciences.
Prayer, studying God’s Word, seeking guidance from other genuine followers of Christ are all important means of keeping our conscience from immoral obstructions in effort to glorify God in our daily actions.
That which purifies
Unless you are a child of God, the tremendous impact of Scripture will not make itself, through the Holy Spirit, known to you. Let me leave you with the first part of PSALM 119, one of the longest Psalms in the Bible. You get an idea what the heart of a servant of God is and how ones relationship with the Living God helps direct ones life and all their relationships. We are not perfect, but without the guidance of the Creator, you get a sense of how confounded we can become.
How blessed are those whose way is blameless,
Who walk in the law of Yahweh.
2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
They seek Him with all their heart.
3 They also do not work unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.
4 You have commanded us,
To keep Your precepts diligently.
5 Oh may my ways be established
To keep Your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be ashamed
When I look upon all Your commandments.
7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
8 I shall keep Your statutes;
Do not forsake me utterly!
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
10 With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me stray from Your commandments.
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Yahweh;
Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have recounted
All the judgments of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
[d]As much as in all riches.
15 I will muse upon Your precepts
And look upon Your ways.
16 I shall delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word. – Psalm 119:1-16
For a one minute explanation of the Gospel, watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCP9UcC7BzE
For a review of the Ten Commandments: https://www.challenyee.com/the-ten-commandments/
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2-23-24