Let Jesus Drive out the “Den of Thieves” in Your Life – Part 2

Matthew 11:28-30 (CJB)

²⁸ “Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.^[a] 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

In Matthew 21:12-13, scripture tells us that Jesus overturned the tables of money changers and those who sold doves because they were turning the temple into a “den of thieves.” In other words, they were doing things that were keeping the temple from its primary purpose, which was to be a place to meet with God and fellowship with Him.

I Corinthians 3:16 tells us that our bodies are considered to be the temple of God. Our temples can be hijacked, so to speak, and can become a “den of thieves” in the soulish realm. It is there, in our mind, will and emotions, that “thieves” such as wounds from the past, wrong mindsets, and wrong believing give the enemy an open door to set up shop in our lives.  Each thief can only steal when our lives are focusing on a lie rather than the Truth.  That is why one of the most important things for a believer to remember is…right-believing leads to right living.  If our belief system is not based on the Truth of the Word of God, then our thinking (believing) will be compromised.  If our thinking is compromised then the “den of thieves” has free reign to steal the abundant life that Jesus died to give us.

Recognizing that there is a “den of thieves” residing in our souls is one thing, but getting rid of it is another.  Only GRACE can get the job done properly. Otherwise, there will be repeated attempts to remove the “den of thieves” through self-effort, with only limited success.  A well-known minister of the gospel tells the story of a man who came to him desperate to be free of a smoking habit (not a sin, but certainly something that can cause condemnation if you think God doesn’t love you because of it). The minister made the man promise that he would follow his advice. The man agreed but wasn’t prepared for what the minister said. He told the man that each time he lit up a cigarette, he should confess out loud, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) The man walked away, taken back by the instructions.  Weeks passed before he returned, very excited to tell the minister that he had done what he had told him to do, even though it didn’t make any sense.  At some point in the process, the man reported that the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:21 became a revelation to him and he lost his desire to smoke. As he believed the TRUTH, that he was in right-standing with God, condemnation lost its hold on him.

What happened? GRACE happened.  Instead of “trying” to quit smoking through painful self-effort, the man experienced the “sweatless effort” that GRACE brings into any situation.  He let the Word transform his thinking and, as he focused on “right-believing,” right living followed.  The Message Bible sums it up so beautifully in Matthew 11:28-30, … Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  

12/18