I see a row of houses and am taken on a tour of one in particular and the manner of this home I sense is disturbing and unsettling. It is cold and inhospitable.  Furniture has been knocked over and broken contents are strewn about with filth and disarray everywhere. As my eyes take in this disturbing sight I am simultaneously hit with a foul stench of death, strangely mingled with a heavy perfumed spray in an attempt to cover it up.

Upon entry, I see approaching me some of this home’s occupants (works of the flesh; Gal 5:19-21), who share lodging here one of which goes by the name of DEPRESSION and ANXIETY who also happens to keep close company with FEAR and TORMENT.  They spend their time together huddling in a corner in discussion of all the reasons why they exist so they may remind the homeowner why they deserve to be under this roof; they all agree they are not loved; 1John 4:18.   Not too far from the huddled group I find one called ENVY, seething with intensity because it has not gained what it sees others having – that it wants.   BITTERNESS assists ENVY by affirming its misery and even gives more reasons why ENVY deserves to have, what it does not have – what others do.    JEALOUSY’S ear is always open to the conversation between these two while LOW SELF ESTEEM being JEALOUSY’S BUDDY wallows in insecurity creating a great PITY party for all.  SLANDER is waiting in the wings to start its conversation against all who are on today’s list and calls upon GOSSIP to help with this task to make  LOW SELF ESTEEM feel better today by putting others down.   HAVOC nearly always ensues in this homeowner’s daily life because where ENVY and  SELFISH AMBITION exist there will always be CONFUSION and EVIL of all kinds; James 3:14-16.

Walking down the hall, I see SHAME quickly hiding things as it sees me coming for SHAME lives through a mirror that reflects upon this homeowner’s feelings of HUMILIATION and WORTHLESSNESS.  I notice how there are masks that decorate SHAME’S walls.  SHAME regularly counsels this homeowner and encourages the wearing of masks to save face. Psalm 4:2.

As I leave I notice how SHAME bids me goodbye wearing a over the top happy face mask.  I  continue and come upon another room, containing one piece of furniture – a chair.  This chair looks like a throne yet there are chains on it so it could bind whoever sat upon it.  The throne is where this homeowner makes it a regular practice to sit and willingly become subject to a cruel master.  This master has become the one in charge of this homeowner and goes by the name DESTROYER; John 10:10.  The homeowner willingly obeys and has become a slave to this cruel master;  Romans 6:12-16. There is a fresh pool of blood on the floor, broken glass, and splinters of contents strewn about which reveals the latest beating.  The cruelty practiced in this room is by an inhuman source and that of a beast who seeks only to devour its prey! I feel great pain in this place, sorrow, and hopelessness, and I flee from this room to discover a room adjoining to it of seeming contrast, but they go together.  The DESTROYER conducts a great deal of his business in this room for it is where he gains much control over this homeowner. This adjoining room is quite decked out, with lots of captivating gadgets, bowls of treats, and enjoyable upbeat music.  PLEASURE, COMFORT, and ESCAPE reside here.   This palace-like room contains and freely distributes ADDICTIONS and when the homeowner participates with ADDICTION they are sent to the throne room so they are reminded they are a slave and are under the master’s rule and torment.   This room offers alluring temptations that boast great and swelling promises to provide an escape from life’s demands and relief from the torment the Destroyer inflicts.  It is a reciprocal tormenting circle. When the bait is taken a dose of pleasure is given just enough so that it will create a craving for more. While outwardly this room is captivating and appears exciting and enjoyable in reality it is full of sin and death; James 1:14-15.

In the hallway again, I realize that there is a voice that speaks throughout the house, much like a sound system that continually plays chants in mesmerizing tones to lull this homeowner into complacency to ensure that TRUTH is never a possibility to search for, Truth that sets souls free; John 8:31-32.  The chant for this moment is, “It’s all good!  You are right, and they are wrong!  Keep the fight and stay strong!”   The chant changes from day to day but is always in keeping to lull this soul to sleep or provide fuel for ANGER to create a place for the DESTROYER; Ephes 4:26-27.

I understood why the rooms smelled of death, for the wages of sin is death Romans 6:23.  There is no life in these walls.  I see the door and make quick haste to exit – I am filled with sorrow for I just experienced in my tour the soul of one who is under the rule of the flesh.  The works of the flesh become evident; anxiety, fear, torment, envy, bitterness, jealousy, accusation, greed, shame, and addiction (idolatry).

I am outside and away from the stifling and life-sucking home of this poor soul and marvel as I tune my ear to hear the beauty of creation call out – pointing to God and wonder why this was not heard by the homeowner I just left;  Romans 1:19-21.  The birds chirp with love for Him.  The wind blows and speaks.  I can hear God speaking:  ‘I am the way, the truth and the life!’  and how He continually speaks out, for anyone who would have ears to hear!

I walk to the next house and enter. The atmosphere here is in sharp contrast to what I had just left,  I am immediately met with a Host, who looks at me with inquisitiveness and ushers me in with gladness.  I am asked if I would like a drink of water and if I am warm enough – for there was a stack of very cozy blankets at the door waiting to bring warmth and comfort; John 14:16.  I accept a drink John 7:37, for the visit from the previous house left me extremely dry, and because I still felt a chill from my last experience I gladly take the blanket and wrap it around me,  I immediately feel rejuvenated with new life! 2 Cor 5: 3-5.  My Host gently takes my hand and begins to lead me through each room and I sense great peace and can collect my thoughts and become calm and listen to Him with clarity Isaiah 26:3.  Catching my attention is an elaborate alarm system and it is connected to my Host and has been activated.  The Host without hesitation goes to the door meeting a very dark strange man who discloses his name is FEAR and he is asking for me!  The Host communicates with the homeowner that FEAR is attempting to enter and has been given the ok to order this intruder to leave.  Upon the Host’s command, FEAR was snuffed out!  My Host explains that this homeowner is diligent in keeping his home free of such intruders because his home is the temple where the Holy Spirit dwells.  At that moment I realized the Host WAS the Holy Spirit!  I am witnessing how beautifully the Homeowner and the Holy Spirit work together; John 14:16.

I hear a beautiful song in the background and am told that this homeowner sings continually to the Lord in praise and thanksgiving Hebrews 13: 15 declaring that the walls are Salvation and the gates are praise in beautiful melody to the Lord Psalm 150.   The Holy Spirit joins and the musical notes seem to come alive forming an atmosphere of healing and deliverance Isaiah 61:1-3.   The rooms are so clean and clear and my Host tells me how the Word washes this home Ephes 5:26, giving light and truth to shine making the home bright.

In our time together, I am aware of continual engagement between the Lord and the homeowner – and it is delightful to listen to.  There is great calm and peace between them with joy and love.

I walk down a bit and see a room that appears to be under construction and some work that has been completed –and I am awestruck!  The intricate detail and design of the room were unlike any other I have ever seen and beyond this world.  Sitting in the center of this room was an incredible chair that looked like it was near completion. The craftsmanship declared a labor of love sparing no expense in lavishing this extraordinary piece with unique touches, such as embossing that glittered and glowed – My Host directed me to take a closer look. It was like as I closely focused upon this chair I was given eyes to see how this work came to be, which was out of a time of chastening and pruning that the Lord and this owner embarked on.  As the homeowner gave to God this difficult time, putting all trust in Him and following His direction through it God turned it into His gift lavished with unspeakable joy in all wisdom and understanding giving it back to the owner; Matt 16:25.  This room was where beauty was given for ashes; Isaiah 61:3. The decorations in this room are glistening with such detail and brilliance it is a marvel to behold and they seem to be alive James 1:12.   Joy sings in communion with the heartache of the homeowner and they work together in the building that the Lord calls forth. For I hear echoing ‘What was meant for evil He has turned to good – to those who love Him!’ Romans 8:28.  I sense in this room the intensity of the pain that was submitted to God – and the sorrow that was placed into His hands James 1: 2-4, yet in here is an overflowing of hope, faith, and love.

We move on to another area – where it encompasses the entire home and is called WORSHIP – and it is alive!  It is the living sacrifice of praise, the giving to God all, laying low in humbleness before Him – with a heart of awe and love.  Worship is the principal activity in this home in all that is said and done – for He is worthy of all our worship and praise now and forever John 4:24, Psalm 29:2.  I am caught up in the dedication, the seriousness, and the reverence that this homeowner has – and how the Holy Spirit fills up all the space made through WORSHIP – to bring glory to the Father and Son!  Words cannot explain this glorious wonder!   1 Cor 1:31.

I am nearing the end of my tour but do not want to leave for I feel at home here!  My shoulder is gently tapped, and sadly I turn to make ready for my departure.  I look up into the gracious Host’s eyes and at that moment He reveals to me that we just walked through my home the Temple where God dwells in me!

We are the Lord’s Temple!

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Cor 6:19-20.

When we walk according to the lusts of our flesh, we will reap what it is we sow.  Our Temples are turned into torture chambers and a house of lies full of sin;

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart; Gal 6:7-9.