What kind of house are we building? Where are we building it? We wouldn’t just build it anywhere, right? Have we considered our spiritual house? How are we building it? What kind is it? What kind of foundation does it have? Since our spiritual house will last for eternity, surely we are giving it more thought and preparation, aren’t we?

In the natural realm we live in, we have to make certain choices about our homes before we build them. If we are going to be safe in them, we must make sure of the ground we build on that it will provide a secure foundation. A foundation that is built on shifting ground has a limited time of existence before the whole thing collapses. If you’ve seen any of the homes that have fallen into swollen rivers or landslides off of cliffs, you might have a better understanding of what I am talking about. One thing that’s for sure is no matter where we build, we will encounter storms of some kind. They are simply everywhere. Now, some areas have more than others, but everyone goes through them.

Okay, so we are sure about the foundation and the ground isn’t going to swallow us up. Now, what kind of material are we going to build with. The first thing we need to do is understand the climate where we are building. Is it prone to hurricanes? Is it prone to earthquakes? Is it prone to snow storms? Is it a moist or dry climate? All of these things will factor in to the materials we use for the walls and roof. If we are getting someone else to build it for us, we will make sure we have someone who is trustworthy and knows what they are doing.

Now, having said all of this I hope you can see where we are going with this analogy. There are two scriptures that come to my mind as I am writing. As I found the first I noticed two more that will help also. They are: Matthew 7:24-27 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

In the above passage, Jesus is talking about the foundation of our spiritual home. He is the Rock. He is the Word. His Word is Truth. When the foundation of our life is built upon this truth, our spiritual home can be built upon an immovable rock that can withstand the fiercest of storms.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 “If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”

Here Paul is talking about the materials we use on top of our foundation. Are we building with our own fleshly standards and our own strength, hence the wood, hay and straw or are we building with the materials that have been tested in the fire. Have we given Him our ways to let Him help us do things His way. Are we building in grace, peace, love, joy, mercy or are we building out of pride, fear, lust, perfection, greed, power, etc? What does our house look like? Is it made of gold, silver and costly stones, or is it simply something we have built with our own hands and understanding? Will it stand the test of fires and the storms that come our way or will it be reduced to ashes?

Matthew 7:15-23 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

1 Corinthians 3:1-4 “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?”

Who do we get to help us build our house? Jesus talks about false prophets and how to know them. Paul talks about jealousy and quarreling among the believers. Which denomination or preacher do you follow? Is there pride and jealousy among the group, person or ourselves? We must listen to Holy Spirit and He will guide us to the truth in everything. No matter how great a person follows the Lord, always remember they are human. Don’t put anyone upon a pedestal, we are only setting them up to fall. Rather, walk with others as they will walk with us. If they are going down a different path, we should bless them in their journey. There are others whose paths will cross ours. Some we are to meet briefly while others will walk with us for a lifetime. Let us not hold on so tightly to relationships, but like the dove, set it free. There is enough love to go around.

Someone reading this has gotten themselves into a relationship that isn’t right. You are bound and have lost your freedom. You have lost your joy and have considered other alternatives. Jesus sees and is preparing a way for you to get free. Trust Him now. When you see the opening, go. Spend time with Him and make sure you hear His voice. If this is for you, you will feel His peace. May you feel His presence as you read this. May you find the strength to walk with Him and change your course. Walk towards the light. Find the truth and never let it go. You can do it. You are not alone.

Joseph