We are all familiar with the expression “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” I would agree with the statement as it is written: “NEXT TO.” It isn’t Godliness, in and of itself, but it is conducive to Godliness, it is next to it. But how about clothing? In Luke 8 verses 26-40, we read of the maniac of Gadara.
This man met Jesus coming out of the tombs with many devils inside of him. If you look at demon possessed people, they are infatuated with death. Isn’t it just a tad bit alarming that most of our society is fascinated with death? (The Walking Dead, Ghouls, Ghost Hunters, Seances, etc) Folks that are unsaved are currently spiritually dead, and are naturally prone to be interested in things that are dead. Jesus’ response to this when told by a man that wanted to follow Jesus but requested that he go bury his family member first, was “Let the dead bury their dead.” Christ came that we might have LIFE and that we might have it more abundantly. Are you infatuated with death?
Verse 35 of chapter 8 in Luke says that “they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, CLOTHED, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.” There are several interesting points in this verse. First, when the man got the devils out of him, he who was once naked is now found CLOTHED. This is associated with him being in his right mind. Thanks to recent history (and I am only talking the last 70 to 125 years, visible in photographs and film), we can see that people in all areas of life, such as everyday dress, evening wear, and even swimwear, are all covered up a lot more than we are today. When creation was taken out of public school science curriculum and evolution took its place in the 60s, prayer was taken out, and rock music hit the public forum, along with that came the hippie movements, flower children, and today, most notably around us, are the “burning man.” All of these groups pushed not only drugs and sex, but open displays of nudity and encouraging everybody to “show more skin.” Is it any wonder that now, as is the common confession today from practically everybody, people have “lost their minds.” You push more skin and eventually nakedness, you as a society will inevitably push pornography and licentiousness on the public. Today, over 90% of professing Christians admit to currently viewing pornography on their computer or their cell phone. This would mean that the church is also NOT in its “right mind.”
Lastly, the people’s response to this maniac from Gadara being made right is what is incredibly fascinating. “And they were THANKFUL?” No. “And they were praising God and were so grateful?” No. Actually, THIS was their response. Get this: “And they were AFRAID.” ??? WHY? Why would these citizens of Gadara be afraid of something good that happened? Perhaps the same reason that most people, even Christians, are afraid that Berean Calvary Church grows in numbers and influence: God might actually get control of THEIR lives by forcing them to get rid of the Satanic stuff in their homes, get rid of the depraved music and movies in their house, they might actually desire the Bible more than anything else, and (God forbid!) they might actually step out of their comfort zone and attempt the life of a soulwinner. Why would they be afraid that Jesus cast out the devils? The answer is simple: They were afraid that Jesus might also get rid of their devils that they were hiding in their private life. Today, that might be the tarot cards your hiding, the pornography you’re looking at, the alcohol you’re drinking and drinking… and drinking. Perhaps you’re hiding a dirty mouth that you don’t want Jesus to get a hold of simply because your terrified of the scrutiny of your friends and community and you don’t care a lick whether or not God is happy with what you’re doing or not.
Are you clothed and in your RIGHT MIND? Compare your lifestyle choices with the scriptures and ask yourself: Is this what God would want me to wear? Ask yourself with everything else: Is that what God would want me to look at, is this what he would want me to be listening to? Even if you have looked at the wrong things, wore the wrong clothes, listened to the wrong stuff in the past, FORGET those things which are behind, pick up your cross and follow him. It’s high time to get back in your RIGHT mind.
Leave a Reply