CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING SPIRITUALLY: EXCRETION

Excretion is the process by which the body removes waste products of metabolism and the system that is responsible is called the excretory system.

The human body produces waste in the process of living and performing its functions. This waste has to be removed in an efficient and regular manner for if allowed to remain it will accumulate and lead to harmful consequences, breaking down the body and ultimately resulting in death.

In similar manner the spiritually alive person must pay diligence to ridding himself of those things that may prove not only harmful but fatal to spiritual life.

The body’s defense mechanism together with the excretory system is also responsible for removing poisonous stuff, invading toxins etc.

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21 KJV

  

"Dirty clothes don’t automatically come off just because you realize they are dirty. They will only come off if you do something to remove them! People are inwardly changed, but their old thinking patterns have become a bad habit. Therefore, they still wear those old, filthy attitudes, even though those negative attitudes are no longer consistent with the clean, new condition of their inner man." Renner

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: Colossians 3:5-6 KJV

Galatians 5:19-21 KJV   Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20   Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21   Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 KJV   9   Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10   Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5:3-7 KJV   But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;  4   Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.  5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  6   Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.  7   Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

PHYSICAL EXCRETION	SPIRITUAL CHARACTERISTIC	SCRIPTURE/COMMENTS
Substances that are toxic to the body can either invade from outside or be produced in the body and can be harmful to the body or even fatal.	Spiritually harmful invasions can be from evil forces and influences or produced as a result of the sin nature in man. The result can be serious or fatal. Romans 7:23-24 KJV  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.  24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?	1 Peter 5:8 KJV  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: James 1:14-15 KJV But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
There must be a mechanism in place to neutralize and get rid of the waste and toxins that can harm the body.  The excretion process involves breaking down, detoxifying and elimination of the waste products and other substances that are harmful to the body.	God has provided mechanisms for the Christian to fight and defend against external and internal spiritual toxins. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 KJV 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)	James 4:7 KJV Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Romans 6:6-7 KJV  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Many things that we take in physically may seem nice, good, and acceptable but our bodies immediately scream danger and go to work at eliminating the danger.	As we walk in the Lord we will encounter many things that appear innocent and harmless but if they succeed in enticing and draw us away from God we need to get rid of them. Sin can be made to appear attractive to the one being tempted.	Proverbs 1:10-15 KJV My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.  11  If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:  12  Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:  13  We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:  14  Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:  15  My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

We are exhorted to live a life of abstinence

1 Peter 2:11-12 KJV  Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;  12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

We are exhorted to live a life of vigilance

1 Peter 5:8-9 KJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

We are exhorted to live a life of diligence

2 Peter 3:9-14 KJV The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  10  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  11  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  12  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?  13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

We are exhorted to a life of obedience

1 Peter 1:13-16 KJV Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:  15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  16  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.