Message #73- Soul Detox

I don't normally post these messages here but I feel led to do so this time.  Depending on how this is received, I may or may not post these here in the future:

Mark 2:17- On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

-Matthew13:7- Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.

-Hebrews 12:1- Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us

As many of you know, 2013 was not a good year for me.  For most of the year, my body was rejecting key nutrients intended to get my body in balance.  I have since learned that the liver is the central processing unit for vitamins, minerals and probably synthetic medications.  I have a long history of prescription drug use as well as heavy use of dietary supplements so it would not be a surprise to learn that my liver was cluttered with toxins and that congestion interfered with the processing of key minerals. So as a last ditch effort, I went through a weekend detox program just before New Year's Day that included a fast and several cleansing drinks.  If I could not process the key supplements, I would have certainly slipped back into adrenal exhaustion with little-no hope of recovery.  In the end, the detox was tough but manageable and I have seen a big improvement in my tolerance for the pills as well as my overall health.

Y'all know what's coming now.  It's time to apply this to the faith.  I've mentioned 4 key "treatments" to maintain the health of the soul:

-get to church

-read the Bible

-prayer

-fellowship

Take inventory and consider some of the toxins that you have in your soul that may be limiting the effectiveness of the above treatments.  It could be unhealthy companionship, bad habits, a grudge, or unrepentant sin.  Whatever the toxin, I will guarantee that it will hinder your growth as a Christian even if you are consistent with all 4 activities.  Especially when it comes to unrepentant sin, your soul may arrive at a place in which it rejects the treatments.  Suppose that your pastor is preaching a message about a certain sin that you have no intention of stopping.  Chances are that you will become dismissive or even defensive to the point that you no longer wish to hear the Word.  Another possibility is that you do not associate with people who tell you lovingly that you need to repent.  One of the major consequences of sin is that it grieves the Holy Spirit.  If someone that you care about is suffering grief, you will comfort them.  If you were the one that caused it, I'm betting that you will feel terrible and apologize multiple times.  Now, stop and consider the Holy Spirit and who it is that you grieve with your sins.

Well, it's time to throw off anything that hinders your growth.  I recognize that it is easier said than done.  The detox protocol caused me a headache, a trace of nausea and lots of diarrhea but it revealed that I had a lot of congestion and toxins in my liver.  Often, it is not until you get better that you realize how much the imbalances were holding you back and the same holds true when cleansing spiritual toxins. I went through detox as a last resort but if I continue to have success, I will recommend it as the FIRST thing to do before starting a natural health plan.  Too often, people turn to Jesus only as a last resort when He should be your first response.