6 ways to get the dirt out of your life

6 ways to get the dirt out of your lifePaul J Mahler

How to get the dirt out of your lifeSteps to getting the Dirt out of your life:1. Must recognize the fact that you have dirt in your life. (Judges 3:22 )2. Must realize that you need to be delivered from this dirt. (Judges 3:15 )3. Must be willing to do your part. (Judges 3:20 )4. Must not go empty handed (Judges 3:16 )5. Must do right when you are all alone (Judges 3:18-19 )6. Must use your weapon. (Judges 3:21-22 )Each of these methods will be discussed in detail.In order to get the dirt out of your life, you must rst recognize the fact that youhave dirt. You can’t clean something up that isn’t dirty. I mean you go through theprocess, but why would you if it wasn’t necessary? Have you ever tried toconvince a seven-year-old that they need a bath? They don’t think that they aredirty, and, therefore, can’t see the point in taking a bath. People as a general ruledon’t clean what isn’t dirty. The dirt in your life is much the same way. Mostpeople believe that they are good, and, therefore, don’t see the necessity ofgetting rid of the dirt out of their lives. They may realize, and even sometimesadmit that they do, or have done some bad things, but still believe that ultimatelythey are good people. The Bible says in Proverbs 30:12 , that all men think thatthey are good in their own eyes. We can’t see the forest for the trees so to speak.So let’s take a look at our lives from Gods perspective shall we? Let’s look rst ofall at what it is that Jesus said would de le us. In Mark 7:18-23 Jesus said that itwas not the things on the outside that would de le us, but the things that are onthe inside. It is easy to cleanup on the outside; it’s the stuff on the inside that ishard to get clean. So how do we know what it is that we need to clean out of ourlives? Well, that is what the Bible is for. If you read and study your Bible on a dailybasis the Holy Spirit will show you what you need to get out of your life.

How to get the dirt out of your lifeIf you are still not convinced that you have dirt that needs to be cleaned out thentake this simple little quiz, and be honest with yourself; it will not do you any goodto lie to yourself:1. Have you ever used Gods name in vain?Exodus 20:72. Have you ever stolen anything, no matter how small?Exodus 20:153. How many times have you told a lie?Exodus 20:164. Have you ever brought dishonor to your parents?Exodus 20:12(Before you answer this one don’t forget that you most likely answered yes tonumbers 2 and 3, and this would not bring honor to your parents)5. Have you ever lusted after a member of the opposite sex?Exodus 20:14Jesus said in Matthew 5:27-28 that if you look upon someone with lust then youhave committed adultery in your heart.6. Have you ever murdered anyone?Exodus 20:13Jesus said in Matthew 5:21-22 that if you are angry without a cause that youhave committed murder in your heart.

How to get the dirt out of your lifeAs you can see (if you were honest) you have broken Gods laws, and if you havebroken his laws than in His eyes you are NOT a good person. A lawbreaker needsto be judged, and that is what we all deserve. Thanks be to God that he made away for us to escape this judgment.The Bible says in1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just toforgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The Apostle Paulsaid in Romans 10:9-10That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thoushalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with themouth confession is made unto salvation.So if you have accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior then you haveEternal Life; however it is still a struggle to get the dirt that you have grown soaccustomed to living in; out of your life.In chapter 2 we will deal with the second method which is to realize that you aregoing to need help if you wish to get the dirt out of your life.Memory verse for today is 1 John 2:15.

How to get the dirt out of your life | Got dirt?Chapter 2Once you come to the realization that you have dirt in your life thatneeds to be cleaned up, the next step is realizing that you cannot do ityourself. You must be delivered from the dirt. Titus 2:11-14 shows us thatit is by grace that we are saved and that because we are saved we shoulddesire to live a pure life. Notice that this reference shows us that Jesuscame into the world to redeem us, because we cannot redeem ourselves(Galatians 1:3-4, 1 Peter 1:18-19).Did you notice how long they stayed in bondage before seeking to be delivered?Read Judges 3:14-15 again. Eighteen years seems like an awfully long time to gowithout asking for deliverance now doesn’t it? When looking at someone else’s lifethis seems ridiculous, but how long have you tried to x your own problems? Haveyou come to the realization yet that you need help?One of the most dif cult things for some people is to admit that they need help. Alltoo many times we allow our pride to get in the way of receiving the help that wetruly need. Pride is a very dangerous thing. The Bible says in Psalm 10:4 that Pridewill keep you from seeking God. Furthermore, the Bible teaches that anything thatwe set up before God, or that we allow to keep us from God is an Idol, and we arecommanded in 1 John 5:21to keep ourselves from idols.The book of Proverbs shows us five things that pride will cause: 1. Pride will lead to shame (Proverbs 11:2) 2. Pride brings conflict into your life (Proverbs 13:10) internal, and external 3. Pride causes us to do and say foolish things (Proverbs 14:3) 4. Pride will cause you to fall (Proverbs 16:18) 5. Pride will bring you down (Proverbs 29:23)

How to get the dirt out of your life | Got dirt?Don’t let pride get in your way of being delivered from the dirt that is in your life.Isaiah 1:5 asks why would you want to be stricken? This is a good question if youthink about it. Why do we continue to do the same things getting the sameresponses, but expecting different outcomes? That is the de nition of insanity. TheLord is willing to deliver you, and clean you up, but you have to ask for and acceptthe help. What is keeping you from asking God to deliver you from the dirt in yourpast?Don’t wait for eighteen more years before you decide to submit to God;Submit today, and you will be glad that you did.In the next chapter, we will be looking at the fact that after being delivered, youstill have a part to do.Memory Verse 1 John 2:16

How to get the dirt out of your life | Do your part Chapter 3 Do your part: Read Judges 3:12-30. Once you come to the realization that you have dirt in your life that needs to be cleaned up, and realize that you cannot do it yourself; The next step is that You must be willing to do your part. Ehud had a job to do, and it did not matter how dangerous or scary this job was; it had to be done, and it had to be done by him. You see God had given Ehud a message, and a job to do. It would not be enough for Ehud to just recognize the fact that God had spoken to him, and shown him what to do. He had to take action on what he now knew. If Ehud hadn’t taken action on what he knew he had to do; then the nation of Israel would not have been delivered. Likewise, if we do not take action on what God has shown us that we need to do; then we cannot be delivered from the dirt that is in our lives.

How to get the dirt out of your life | Do your part Notice that it took effort on Ehud’s part in order to accomplish the task that was set before him (Judges 3:16-17), and it will take some effort on your part if you truly want the dirt out of your life. The Bible says in Acts 17:30 that God commands everyone to repent, and in Revelation 2:16 Jesus said repent or else. I n Acts 26:20 the apostle Paul wrote that after repentance that we should do good works. Notice that repentance comes before good works. Make no mistake; good works will not, and cannot save you from your sins; only repentance and faith in Jesus can do that. In fact, Jesus said in John 14:6 that he was the only way to heaven. He did not say that he was a good way, or the easiest way, or the most convenient way; he said that he was the only way. The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9 that we are saved by Gods grace, not by our works. Romans 3:20 tells us that no one ever has been, or ever will be justified by doing good, and in Galatians 2:16 he further clari es that we are not saved by good works, but by putting our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Titus 3:5 tells us that we are saved by his grace not by works, which we have done. Though good works will not save you from your sins this is not to say that you should not attempt to do good works. In fact the Bible says in Titus 2:14 that we are to be excited about doing good works. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 says that on that day our works will be judged to see if they are worthy of a reward or not. Please notice a few things about this judgment. 1. Only born again believers will be at this judgment (2 Corinthians 5:1-10). 2. Salvation is not at stake in this passage (1 Corinthians 3:15). 3. The spirit of God is with the people that are present at this judgment, and Romans 8:9-11, and 1 John 4:13 say that only believers have his spirit.

How to get the dirt out of your life | Do your part In order to get the dirt out of your life, make sure that you have done your part. Until you have repented of your sins and asked Jesus to forgive you for your sins, you will not be able to get the dirt out of your life. You can cover them up, and even maybe make them more presentable, but you will never get the dirt OUT of your life until you have done business with Jesus. Don’t delay; get it xed today. Jesus has done all the necessary work for you to receive forgiveness of sins, is all you have to do is admit that you are a sinner and that you need a deliverer (Jesus), and accept him as your personal Lord and Savior, and he will save you. The Bible says that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation, for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:9-10,13. Do your part today! 1 John 1:9

How to get the dirt out of your life | Don't go empty handed Chapter 4 Don’t go empty handed : Read Judges 3:12-30.. Next notice that Ehud was carrying a “concealed weapon”. When you are trying to get the dirt out of your life you too must carry a concealed weapon. Ehud’s concealed weapon was a dagger which had two edges. This is a type of another weapon; one that every believer in the LORD Jesus Christ should carry with them everywhere that they go. Let’s look at a couple of scriptures so that you can see what I mean: For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two- edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (Revelation 1:16)

How to get the dirt out of your life | Don't go empty handed Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will ght against them with the sword of my mouth. (Revelation 2:16) The two-edged sword being spoken of in these passages is the Word of God. This is the only offensive weapon mentioned in Ephesians 6 when it talks about the believer putting, on the whole, armor of God. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against esh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the ery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:11-17) If we are to get the dirt out of our lives we must carry this weapon with us daily, and conceal it in our hearts as noted in the following passages: Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalms 119:11) The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. (Psalms 37:30-31)

How to get the dirt out of your life | Don't go empty handed The only way that I know to conceal God’s Word in my heart is to commit it to memory. Memorizing scripture is a very important element of our lives. If we are to battle the dirt that is in our lives then we must have ready access to the only offensive weapon that we have. If you haven’t considered the importance of scripture memorization before today; then my prayer is that you will give it some attention starting today. Memorizing Scripture does not need to be intimidating. Following are a few methods that I have used to assist me in memorizing God’s Word: Repetition is the method that I use the most. I usually break the passage up into small parts and read that over, and over again until I can recite that part without looking, and then move to the next phrase, and keep doing that until I have the whole verse or verses memorized. It is important to make sure that you memorize the reference location with each verse that you memorize (IE John 3:16). This is important especially if you are sharing with another person so that you can let them know where it is found. Another method is utilizing index cards. Just write the verse and reference on an index card, and carry it with you wherever you go, and read it every chance you get until it is so familiar to you, that you can recite it without looking. (I know this is still a form of repetition, but what can I say it’s the best way in my opinion). Remember in order to be effective at getting the dirt out of your life; don’t go empty handed.

How to get the dirt out of your life | Do right when all alone Chapter 5 Do right when all alone: Read Judges 3:12-30. If you really want to get the dirt out of your life you have to be consistent. Notice that Ehud didn’t just do right when everyone else was around him. It’s easy to do right when you are with a crowd of people that agree with you. The real test is what will you do when you are alone, or with others that don’t necessarily agree with your position or personal convictions. Ehud actually waited until he was all alone with Eglon before he acted on the “dirt”. The hardest times are those when we are all alone. That is when Satan really goes to work on us. If we are not careful we can rationalize just about anything that we set our mind to. The mind is a very dangerous thing. This is where most of our battles are fought. According to the Apostle Paul our minds are a battlefield:

How to get the dirt out of your life | Do right when all alone But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.(Romans 7:23) For the esh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the esh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:17) Your mind’s natural state is not to do right; that is why the Apostle Paul said that we need to renew our minds on a continual basis: If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;( Ephesians 4:21-23) Remember: just because you don’t have any other people around you; you are not alone: The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. (Proverbs 15:3) If you really want the “dirt out of your life” then you have to do right when all alone.

How to get the dirt out of your life | Use your weaponChapter 6Use your weapon:

How to get the dirt out of your life | Use your weaponThe sword was Ehud’s message. Your weapon won’t do you any good if you don’tuse it. In lesson 4 we talked about the fact that in order to get the dirt out of ourlives the LORD has given us a weapon; a concealed weapon to use, and thatweapon is the Word of God. But if we don’t use our weapon than it won’t do youany good to have it. You can have the best weaponry ever invented but if it justsits there, and collects dust than you might as well not even have it in the rstplace.Read Judges 3:12-30.Our weapon is the same way. God did not give us his word in our own language,and preserve it for us; just so that it can sit on the coffee table, or the bookshelf,and look good. Some will even carry it around, but if they don’t ever crack it openthen it is not doing them any good.Let’s look at Proverbs 3 and see what it says about God’s Word:My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: Forlength of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy andtruth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thineheart: So shalt thou nd favour and good understanding in the sight of God andman. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine ownunderstanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Benot wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be healthto thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.(Proverbs 3:1-8)According to this passage if we keep Gods Word in our heart then we will ndfavor with God, and who wouldn’t want that? Proverbs 2 says that God’s Word ismore precious than all the money in the world.

How to get the dirt out of your life | Use your weaponMy son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; Sothat thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; Ifthou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shaltthou understand the fear of the LORD, and nd the knowledge of God.( Proverbs2:1-5)Notice that the dirt didn’t come out for Ehud until after he used his weapon. Justhaving it there was not enough. Just having the intention of using it was notenough. Just knowing what he was supposed to do with it was not enough. Hehad to actually “use” his weapon, and the same holds true for us. If we don’t useour weapon then we will never get the dirt out of our lives.In closing, I would like you to read Judges 3:20-22 again: And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat. And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly: And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out. —Did you see it? Once the dagger went in it got stuck. If you will get God’s Word inyour heart, and your life it will get stuck, and will not come out, and that is whatgets “all” the “dirt out of your life”.

Irvington Bible Baptist Church | What we BelieveWhat We Believe: 1. The King James Bible is Gods word and is the Final Authority in All matters of Faith and Practice. Psalms 12:6-7. 2. Salvation is a free gift from God, and Can not be earned. Ephesians 2:8-9. 3. An Eternal Burning Hell as preached by Jesus. Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:10, Mark 9:43-48. 4. Eternal Salvation. John 5:24, Philippians 1:6. 5. Baptism is by full emersion and follows salvation. Matthew 28:19, Acts 8:36-39. 6. Pre-tribulation Rapture of the Church, and a literal 1000 year reign of Christ on the Earth. Revelation 20:4. 7. Every believer is to be involved in Evangelism. Acts 1:8. 8. The Trinity. Colossians 2:9, 2 Corinthians 1:3, Hebrews 1:8, Acts 5:3-4. 9. Our Life is not our own. Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 6:20.

How to get the dirt out of your life | Service Times Service Times Sunday School: 9:45 am Sunday Worship: 11 am Sunday Evening Bible Study: 6:30 pm Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7 pm

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