READ: MATTHEW 4:1-11; HEBREWS 4:14-16

"We need to start cleaning out and organizing.” I groan when I hear my mom say those words. Digging through stuff, sorting, and deciding what to keep, give away, or throw away are some of my least favorite activities. It’s not that I mind getting rid of what I don’t need; I just don’t care for the actual process. It requires me to rifle through drawers, organizers, and containers, thinking about whether I need or want this, whether I should keep it or just get rid of it, and why I even had the item in the first place.

There are times when we’re walking with Jesus and He calls us to do some purging and cleaning too. Bad habits and sins creep into our lives, even if we don’t mean for them to. But when we realize those sins have appeared, we can confess them to God and remember how, in Christ, we can count ourselves dead to sin (Romans 6:10-12). This may lead us to do a physical clean out, such as getting rid of music, magazines, books, video games, apps, or movies that make it difficult for us to view God, ourselves, and the world the way He does. Or it may be a figurative clean out, like turning away from attitudes or thoughts that don’t line up with God’s character.

This can be difficult. However, we have a Savior who knows what we’re going through. Even though Jesus is perfect and sinless, He was tempted by the devil. But Jesus refused to give in to his temptations. Our Savior is always there to remind us that He has already freed us from sin through His death and resurrection, and He will help us overcome these difficulties and become more and more like Him (Romans 6:18; 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 4:7). Sometimes we have to do a clean out, but thankfully we have someone by our side to guide us. • Morgan A. Mitchell

• Is there anything in your life that’s making you feel far from God? If you know Jesus, nothing can ever separate you from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39). Yet so often we find that things like hatred, lust, and unforgiveness have snuck into our lives. Consider taking some time to do an inventory of your heart, asking God to help you notice bad habits and sins that have accumulated that you need to deal with. You can confess all of these to Him, resting in Jesus’s sure forgiveness and trusting Him to help you move forward in righteousness. Remember, in Christ you are dead to sin, and you don’t have to let any sin overpower you. In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk to about your struggles?

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. James 1:21 (NIV)