January 4

Jesus said that a cup cannot contain both sweet and bitter water at the same time. If we want water to be refreshing, it must be pure. The smallest amount of adulteration will render the water unfit to drink. Our inner man must be guarded as carefully as we would guard the water we drink or the food we eat. A little poison, a little bacteria, a little grime can be deadly. So can a little sin.

If we are to be pure vessels, if we are to maintain the integrity of our personhood and if we are to be useful to the Lord in pouring out of His truth and His love upon those around us, we must keep ourselves free of the destructive force of a little bit of negativity, a little bit of evil.

If we harbor secret sin that we think no one will recognize, we do not understand its power. The Lord makes it absolutely clear that His expectation of those who profess the name of Jesus is that they be holy even as the Lord Himself is holy. How can we, who were conceived in sin and born in iniquity attain such a lofty goal? His Word holds the key to our conformance to His perfection.

It says, “O God, You are my God. I seek you earnestly for my soul hungers and thirsts after You…Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, I will follow after You.” (Psalm63:1-3) A man cannot be overcome of evil who allows himself to seek fully after the Lord. As he is filled with Jesus, there will be no place for the enemy or his mischief within his spirit, his life, or his relationships.