In a dream, I observed several church members in a church kitchen. At one point, there was an unusual sight: a parasite was emerging from someone's finger. The people in the church noticed the parasite and pointed it out. The person with the parasite placed her finger under running water from a faucet, and the parasite began to come out. Shortly after, another parasite was expelled from the same finger. In the sink, there was a branch of wine. Although the water was aiding in removing the parasites, the onlookers were reluctant to use it to dislodge parasites from their own bodies.
While I reflected on the dream, Isaiah 58:9 came to mind: “Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you remove the yoke from among you, stop pointing fingers, and cease speaking wickedness…”
Some individuals engage in gossip by "pointing fingers," while others express their grievances to the Lord, saying things like, "This is not how things should be done," as they criticize their leaders. They fail to recognize that these remarks stem from bitterness within their own hearts. I am not attempting to justify leaders or judge their actions as right or wrong; rather, I feel compelled to highlight a factor that hinders a believer's personal growth. Criticisms often conceal unexamined motives that harbor offense, leading to bitterness and various other frustrations.
"Parasites" that obstruct progress and development can include also various indulgences such as addictions, oversleeping, difficulty in maintaining regular daily communion with God, excessive worries and anxieties, perfectionism, maintaining unhealthy relationships, or the unproductive desire to please everyone.
To grow from our struggles, we must make the difficult choice to eliminate spiritual parasites. Their primary function is to sap our strength. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us discard everything that hinders and the sin that so easily ensnares. Let us run with perseverance the race set before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." - Hebrews 12:1-3
One method for addressing spiritual parasites is through the “washing by the Word”, which involves contemplating, reading, listening to, declaring, and praying the Word of God. From a state of rest in Jesus, our hearts begin to transform, and the parasites are removed. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He removes every branch in me that does not bear fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes to make it even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” - John 15:1-4
To eliminate spiritual parasites, request the Holy Spirit to unveil those concealed in your heart. Additionally, seek guidance on which Bible verses to read, reflect upon, and pray over. By dedicating time to the Word of God and resting in it, you'll observe changes occurring in your heart.
“Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” - James 4:8
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