Whether a sucker for second-hand specials or only buy ‘new’ because the thought of previous ownership makes you squirm, read on to find a simple and practical way to spiritually deal with what you bring into the home.
A Side (Table) Story
I’d envisioned a particular vintage side table for months; then while out on an errand, I spot it on the curb! The word “FREE” (spelled across its drawers in duct tape) glistens in the afternoon sun. With a sudden U-turn, squeals erupt from my girls. I swerve to make a sharp stop in front of a stranger’s house.
“Thank you, Jesus!” I bound out of the vehicle to claim my treasure. Before the kids readjust themselves from the whirlwind of my driving, I’ve already loaded the table, and am buckling my seat-belt with sticky fingers (from rolling the duct-tape-ball). I pull away in triumph, excited for the work ahead.
Once home, the kids disperse to avoid recruitment for the next phase of the process: cleaning. Perhaps it’s better they’re occupied elsewhere—I enjoy doing this part myself. A tool in one hand and a bucket of warm suds ready at the other, I scrape the left-over adhesive, along with built-up dirt from years of use. Since I’m not sanding or refinishing, this side table will soon be ready for a new life in my home. . . but there’s something important I haven’t done yet.
To be continued . . .
There is beauty in using ‘used’.
Summer screams for flea market finds and free curbside surprises; along with sites like Amazon, Craigslist, and Meta Marketplace that simplify the search, it’s no surprise our homes are full of items living their second, third, or tenth life.
Of course not everything can be used more than once, but treating our earthly resources to an extended life is sensible and sustainable. When considering all the water, food, and air we consume are re-used, we see re-cycling is God’s idea.
Much of life is cyclical; we say hello and goodbye as we go. In an earlier post you can read here, I cover how to handle the memories of deceased loved ones. Hauling something home—with our husband’s thumbs-up (if married), and peace from the Holy Spirit—whether it’s freebie-furniture or a bag of hand-me-downs, we clean and re-purpose the item for our own use.
We see physical history of wear and tear by previous owners evidenced in scratches, dirt, and dents, but have you ever considered the pre-used item’s spiritual history?
Who owned it before? What did they use it for? What gods did they worship? Were they constantly praising or cursing with their words and actions?
Even though the spiritual residue is unseen, it affects our homes and bodies in physical ways. Our spiritual weapons and authority against such attacks are only effective if we use them.
We already clean by sight in the material realm; we can clean by faith in the spiritual realm.
Here are three practical steps to using your authority in the home while decorating or furnishing the home. When grabbing the next treasure from an estate sale or roadside, you’ll know there’s more to it than meets the eye, and know how to deal with it.
A Quick Guide to Spiritual Cleaning:
Thank God
1.) Thank God and proclaim His ownership over what you bring into the home.
Gratitude opens our eyes to see all the good that comes from our Father. He owns it all, but we are His kids. We inherit it through our relationship. He longs to bless and prosper us.
God cares about our furniture, housewares, and clothes, but not as the world. He knows He’s our only source for life and He’s happy to teach our hearts how to find Him wholly satisfying. When we acknowledge Him with thanksgiving, it shows we trust Him to care for us.
Cleanse
2.) Cleanse away any spirit that does not bow to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
You’ve thanked God and claimed His ownership, now cleanse the item or space, calling off any enemy assignment or curse that stands against the Kingship of Jesus.
Spiritual beings are unseen reality and the Holy Spirit helps us discern between them. There are angels of both light and dark. Like infrared light is detectable by heat, dark angels are at work when we detect evil, fear, or confusion.
If you know of items in your home that cause any of those feelings, set them aside for test subjects to practice on when you finish reading. Perhaps you can take a moment now to ask the Holy Spirit if there are other items you’ve never considered.
Like scrubbing off physical residue with a soapy sponge, we wash away spiritual residue—curses and demonic assignments—by activating and wielding our authority over them.
Jesus never focuses attention on hunting for dark angels (also called demons), or seeking out haunted houses to evict the ghosts (also demons), but He speaks a lot about His Father’s Kingdom advancing fearlessly through us, His heirs, on Earth.
We are the army of God, taking back rightful rule and territory from the enemy.
Re-purpose
3.) Re-purpose everything that comes into your home to glorify Jesus.
You’ve thanked God and claimed His ownership, you’ve called off the enemy’s assignments and curses, now it’s time to give a new assignment with a blessing. Glorifying God through your home doesn’t mean writing verses on mirrors and hanging crosses on walls. It’s about the heart.
What’s happening inside your house matters to God, just like what’s happening inside of you.
Ask the Holy Spirit how He desires to glorify Jesus through what you’re choosing to bring inside. If you can’t imagine how it will glorify God, it probably doesn’t belong in your home.
Our homes shouldn’t resemble pagan temples or shrines. Ceremonial masks, figurines, dream catchers, and anything used in cults for worship or welcoming false gods should be tossed. Our God doesn’t require images of Himself to be displayed or venerated. He knows we resemble what we worship. I want to resemble Jesus. There is no one more beautiful!
Now, back to me busily preparing the side table for my home. . .
A Side (Table) Story cont.
After a meticulous scrub-down and a quick rinse and dry, I lifted the table to bring it into the house, but stopped short when I suddenly remembered I hadn’t done my most effective cleaning yet. I dropped the towel and placed my hand on the damp surface . . .
“Father, everything belongs to you. This is your table and I thank you for the gift; I break the power and assignment of any spirits attached to this table that don’t bow to you as the only Lord and King. I bless it to be a blessing to our home or wherever you might want it, and bring glory to you alone. Thank you, Jesus and it’s in your name, I pray. . . Amen.”