We just finished up a message series where we learned about different spiritual roadblocks that can we can encounter in life. We learned to allow God to do a construction work in our lives and to cooperate with Him so that we can back into the fast lane of life unhindered. We discussed things out there that can trip us up such as love for the things of this world, fleshly cravings, and circumstances that cause discouragement.

However, what happens when the hazards that we face aren’t external? What do we do when the hazards that we’re dealing with are in the back seat of our car? What if it’s even worse, the container holding these hazardous materials is our very own skin! Road construction won’t do a bit of good for it because we carry it around with us wherever we go.

Do you find the same issues popping up whether around your family, friends, coworkers, classmates, or even your very own self? Have you tried changing jobs, schools, neighborhoods, spouses, etc. and problems still continue to arise? It might be time to do some self-examination. If you’ve noticed that issues seem to follow you around, then the hazards just might not be everyone else nor the situations you find yourself in.

By definition, if something is toxic, it is capable of causing serious debilitation or even death. In reality, we all possess toxic materials inside of our lives. We must appropriately deal with them before it’s too late and we find ourselves weak, ineffective, and dying.

The worst spiritual condition that can exist in a person’s life isn’t the atheist denying even the existence of God nor is it the Satanist set out to destroy the work of God and praise our enemy. Nope, not at all! In fact, Jesus has an easier time dealing with them than He does with many Christians!

According to His own words, Jesus considers the worst spiritual condition that can exist to be a passionless Christian who doesn’t realize their own condition. This is the most toxic of conditions!

Revelation 3:15-17

15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

This week, we’re beginning a message series where we’re going to learn about some toxic things that can exist in our life that God wants to cleanse and heal us of. Every day we are exposed to toxins and some of those toxins can seep deep into the core of who we are and take root without us ever knowing it.

We think we’re spiritually rich, but those toxins have made us spiritually wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Let’s face it, it’s simply awkward for everyone if we continue to allow our fellow brother or sister in Christ to walk around in the nude (spiritually speaking of course)!

Throughout this series, we’re going to learn how to identify and remedy toxic materials from our own lives.

We’ll cover toxic areas of our thoughts, influences, relationships, words, and religion.

Some toxins have fast and immediate affects, but most act slowly and make their impact over a long period of time. That’s why we can be in a wretched, toxic state spiritually and not even realize it. All toxins, however, corrupt those exposed to them.

This week, we’re confronting the hazard of

toxic thoughts. Most of our life issues stem from and bear fruit from the roots of our thoughts. When someone does something outrageously stupid, what’s the question that we usually ask them? What were you thinking?!?!

Our thoughts are stewing and brewing non-stop inside of us. We think constantly, even while we are asleep. What we often do not realize nor understand is that we have control over the thoughts which we think.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fi