The Chambers of Imagery

       By: Cleve SharpText Box: Ezekiel 8:7 - 12 (NKJV) 7So He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, there was a hole in the wall. 8Then He said to me, “Son of man, dig into the wall”; and when I dug into the wall, there was a door. 9And He said to me, “Go in, and see the wicked abominations which they are doing there.” 10So I went in and saw, and there—every sort of creeping thing, abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed all around on the walls. 11And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up. 12Then He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, ‘The LORD does not see us, the LORD has forsaken the land.’” Ezekiel 8:12 (KJV) 12Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth. Luke 17:20 - 21 (NKJV) 20Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” Romans 14:17 (KJV) 17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. What is reaching for us? What are the things that have us? That which is well concealed is still visible to God. The Lord is reaching for the hidden things of our hearts and minds. You may allow yourself indulgences of the “Lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, or pride of life” but the Lord knows. He is aware of our thoughts and is conscious of the unholy tolerances we afford ourselves. Our society is saturated with sexual content through television. Soap operas and sitcoms expose us to unethical and unprincipled lifestyles that oppose healthy spiritual life. “Who done its”, de-synthesize us to death and the sanctity of life. The computer/internet has created ready access to some of the darkest perversions of man. The amoral, immoral, depraved, and the ungodly are available through this media. When accessed and allowed these things become painted on the “chambers of our imagery”. Be wise children of God. An unintentional event can become the snare of your life. And the occasional indulgence will strip you of your honor and holiness. You will find yourself sitting in a stupor while others are being blessed by the presence of the Lord. You will find yourself filled with shame and feeling unworthy of anything from God. You will find your spiritual effectiveness and “Kingdom” destiny placed on pause unless this door is shut deliberately and quickly. Social networks and email are portals of opportunity to the dissatisfied and wandering heart. How harmless sharing the details of our lives with one another seems. Clear bounds and restraints must be kept in place. Otherwise, unholy alliances and ungodly soul ties will develop. Just as romance novels nurture unrealistic views of love. The person who is writing you can take on any form they choose. Flattery is as cheap as words and as deadly as porno. Comparing the wounds of one’s heart can become spiritually lethal. Even sharing the depth of our spiritual journey can become a doorway to the enemy. Don’t be deceived if you need help ask for it. We must shut the door to these toxic venues. They are death to us. The “Kingdom of God” isn’t all about what is seen on the surface. It has to do with the inner workings of our hearts. The Lord is reaching for the hidden things of our hearts. He is ready to help us clean up and become vessels of honor. One of the best means of doing this is by us bringing our sin into the LIGHT. 1 John 1:8 (KJV) 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. I’ve found that God is willing to do surgery on and bring healing to the things I bring into the light. I’ve also found because the Father loves us, He will not allow hidden sin to remain hidden forever. Many times men won’t come to the light for fear of the consequences. Better are some consequences and healing within, than role playing and pretending for the rest of our lives. Better to take a whipping deliberately than to be exposed publicly for deep wickedness. I have also found our Father to be tenderly gracious when I humbly cry out. We had better learn how to receive and help one another without judgment and rejection. No one is immune to the temptation of man. The hand that is reaching to us may be the hand that is able to reach for us in the hour of our need. I love you Church, Bro Cleve My Website