Out with the Old

Verse of the Week

“But fornication (immorality) and all uncleanness or covetousness (greed),

let it not even be named among you, as is (proper) fitting for Saints.”

Ephesians 5:3

January 8^th – 14^th

Scripture Reading:  Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5

Out with the Old

For many years there was an old custom in Italy that at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, the streets became totally empty.  There’s a good reason for that – safety!  People would throw anything they didn’t want from previous years out the windows.  

The phrase “out with the old and in with the new” took on a literal meaning.  Tired of that old appliance, clothes, furniture, clutter, baggage – whatever it was out it went making room for the new things the year might bring!  Heads up for anything falling if you happened to be outside at the time.

It must have felt great unloading things that prevented the future from coming in free and clear.  Finally, the government curbed the “window junk tossing” because clean-up was so costly, even though parts of southern Italy still participates in this tradition.

I can relate to that old custom and wish that getting rid of some things of my past were that easy.  However, there’s a problem with that kind of philosophy – never being content in the situation, whether it’s financial, emotional or anything else.

If we are letting loose of things because we want more stuff, then we’ve fallen into the area of covetousness, greed and the love of worldly possessions. Idolatry happens quickly when we take our eyes off of things above settling for earthly desires. 

According to God’s Word in Ephesians 5:3, this kind of lifestyle is wrong for a believer.

“But fornication (immorality) and all uncleanness or covetousness (greed), let it not even be named among you, as is (proper) fitting for Saints.”

Make a decision not to let the desire for possessions be all consuming, taking control over you replacing God first in your life.  Instead, let your old acts of getting more fall along the lines of being newly filled with His Holy Spirit to become more like Him. (cw)

“So, put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.  Have

 nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. 

Don’t be greedy (or covet), for a greedy (covetous) person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. (Colossians 3:5 BRG)

January 8^th – 14^th Daily Bible Reading

  8) Luke 9; Genesis 15

  9) Genesis 16; Psalm 8-9

10) Luke 10; Genesis 17

11) Genesis 18; Psalm 10-11

12) Luke 11; Psalm 12

13) Genesis 19-20; Psalm 13

14) Luke 12; Psalm 14

*Also be sure to read a Proverb a day. 

Daily Readings are designed to read through the entire Bible in one year. 

An outreach ministry of Shield of Faith Family & Youth Ministries®,Inc.
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Scripture from the KJV/NKJV of the Bible unless noted. Scripture from: Bible Gateway. Image

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