Spring has arrived! If you’re like me, you get the urge to start those annual spring cleaning projects around the house.
But if we’re honest, our homes aren’t the only places in need some deep cleaning. Just like our homes and cars need regular maintenance, so do our spiritual lives. And let’s face it, our spiritual lives impact all the other areas as well. Spring being the time for renewal is the perfect opportunity to do a clean sweep spiritually.
Let’s roll up our sleeves and get started!
Make a List
Just like you’d make a list of projects in your house, make a list of areas in your life that may need cleaning up.
- Relationship with Jesus
- Marriage
- Family
- Friends
- Church
- Health
- Work
- Hobbies/free time
- Finances
Examine Your Heart in Light of Scripture
The Bible has much to say about self-examination. Before delving into your list, read and meditate on the Scriptures below. Ask God to examine your heart and motives as you examine your list.
2 Corinthians 13:5 — “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”
1 Corinthians 11:28-29 — “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ, eat and drink judgment on themselves.”
Lamentations 3:40 — “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.”
List What to Keep and What to Trash
As you look over your first list, take an inventory of activities, commitments, and relationships that are lacking, in excess, or preventing spiritual growth. Sometimes our lives get cluttered with old habits, useless activities, and sin. Like cleaning out our garage, we must get everything out in the open to determine what stays and what goes. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:19
A few things to look for:
- Fear, anxiety, and worry (Philippians 4:6)
- Guilt or shame (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Anger (James 1:19-20, Ephesians 4:26-31)
- Resentment and unforgiveness (Mark 11:25-26)
- Idolatry (1Corinthians 10:14, Philippians 3:19)
- Addictions (Matthew 6:24, 1 Corinthians 6:12)
- Pride (Psalm 10:12, Isaiah 2:12)
Clean and Replenish
Once we’ve removed the clutter of sin or anything that threatens our spiritual growth, it’s time to clean and replace what will stay. This process may seem overwhelming, but God will be our guide.
- Pray
Ask God for help and wisdom as well as the courage to let go of the clutter (James 1:5, 2 Timothy 1:10, Philippians 4:13)
- Get in the Word
The best way to grow spiritually is to spend time listening to God through the Bible. A good way to increase your retention is to journal what you read (Psalm 119:168)
- Join a Bible Study Group
It helps to join a group with people who have the same goals that will: provide accountability, give encouragement, and answer questions (Hebrews 10:25, Titus 2:7-8)
Our Heavenly Father longs for us to grow spiritual fruit. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2
If we stay attached to Jesus (the vine), he will help us with our spring cleaning (pruning) and guide our spiritual growth which will make future cleaning projects easier with time.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
What has God spoken to you about your own ‘spiritual spring cleaning?’ Please share below. Let’s join in prayer together as we seek to grow closer to Jesus.
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Beckie — welcome back!!!
And just for the record we hate spring cleaning — but in a spiritual sense it is something we must do.
Love your tips on what to keep and what to toss in the trash.
Great advice on a topic we don’t like to do !!
Del
Thanks, Del. I haven’t had time to take on my usual Spring cleaning (busy with the book launch and such). Spiritual cleaning, on the other hand, is something I must make time for.
Beckie, reading your “spring cleaning” blog here truly swept the cobwebs of winter from my mind. I’ve recently felt the weight of discouragement (we know from whence that comes) as I commit myself further and more deeply into the promise of God’s Word. Honestly, it hasn’t been easy having Danny’s mother living with us, and the devil has used that to tempt me to be hateful and resentful; needless to say, I pray every day with faith, and God continues to help me not only cope, but to be loving and caring. Check out tomorrow’s blog from me for an update on how God has worked an absolute miracle.
Much love and many blessings to you!
Martha, I’m lifting you and the situation with your mother-in-law up in prayer. Your confession was refreshing and a good start at allowing God to do a work.Some of our best lessons are learned in adversity. I look forward to reading your next post.
Love and blessing to you and the family!
Thanks for reminding us to make spiritual spring cleaning a priority! It’s easy to let the cobwebs and dust form and settle in that part of our lives, too, if we’re not diligent to sweep them away regularly. I like your list and suggestions to freshen our spiritual walk this time of year!
Thanks, Julie. Honestly, I think doing a spiritual self-evaluation should happen more than just once a year.
Oh, cleaning—Ugh! I do not like it! But, just like cleaning our house, examining and cleaning ourselves spiritually is essential. You’ve provided beautiful scripture to guide us. Thank you! I’ve just finished a Bible study, the Circle Maker, by Mark Batterson, and I’m praying to have a stronger prayer life. That’s my “spring cleaning” challenge!
Katherine, a stronger prayer life sounds like a great spring cleaning project. Mine is Scripture memorization.
Thanks for sharing!
Amen-Amein Sister in Christ Jesus-Yeshua Beckiel!! God Bless you Sister in Christ Jesus-Yeshua Beckie and Your Family members and Friends!! ❤
May our ONE TRUE GOD THE FATHER who art in Heaven Above Bless all my Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and my Messianic Jewish Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and Your Families and Friends!!
I Love you all Everyone through Jesus-Yeshua Christ, because HE LOVED 💜💕 EVERYONE FIRST!!
Love 💕 Always and Shalom ( Peace ), YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
Kristin Ann, I so appreciate your support as a sister in Christ Jesus. I also love your beautiful website that highlights the holy Scriptures. Blessings to you and yours!
Beckie, I like your idea of making a list for all the spiritual “rooms” I need to clean. It’s a methodical, thorough way to approach cleaning out our lives. Most of the time, my “cleaning” is haphazard, based on convictions from this sermon or that book. But now, I want to approach the spring like you’ve suggested here.
Carole, thanks. I’m attempting to implement this into my life, too! I have handled “cleaning” and “self-examination” much like you mention above. Spring this year looks different 🙂