If for any reason your electricity is cut off, you remain in darkness unless you manage to restore the light. Darkness in a home makes it difficult to move around; we stumble because we lack light. The exact same thing happens when the love and presence of God are missing from our homes. When the love of God and His presence are absent, the home becomes divided.
For example, if someone comes to your home to talk, but expresses dislike for your spouse during the conversation, at that very moment you must remind that person that the two of you are one (Genesis 2:24) and ask for an explanation as to where such thoughts come from. They may claim friendship, yet they walk in division; the same applies if they speak ill of your child. Luke 11:17 states very clearly: “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a house divided against itself falls.”
People often fail to realize that anger, hatred, and unforgiveness bring division into the home. When things escalate to the point of family separation, they often claim they do not know what could have happened. The love of God and the presence of God must dwell and abide in our homes continuously—not just as a fleeting moment, but as a constant reality. However, He can only be present when our hearts are filled with Him, for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
Matthew 7:24 states: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” A wise man maintains his home with the love of God, covers his household under the Blood of Jesus Christ, stays vigilant, prays, and fasts. He recognizes that being the head of the home goes beyond providing and paying expenses; he is a responsible steward who knows he must render an account to God.
At all times, he must be ready to guide his family on the path of unity (Psalm 133):
Show them the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
Remind them of the importance of forgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15).
Teach them to put off the old self (Colossians 3:8-9).
Remove offensive speech from their mouths (Ephesians 4:29).
Maintain the bond of peace (Philippians 2:1-2).
Bear with one another and forgive each other, just as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:12-14).Show them the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
Remind them of the importance of forgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15).
Teach them to put off the old self (Colossians 3:8-9).
Remove offensive speech from their mouths (Ephesians 4:29).
Maintain the bond of peace (Philippians 2:1-2).
Bear with one another and forgive each other, just as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:12-14).
Your home is a blessed territory that must not be contaminated. When a home becomes polluted, the lives of everyone living in it are endangered. Consider how a cold spreads: if someone catches the flu, coughs, and sneezes, others will inevitably become infected in a matter of days if they do not take precautions.
Do not allow worldly wickedness to contaminate your home, for your home is a domain reserved for the love and presence of God. Avoid negative talk, foul language, pornography, double entendres, gossip, slander, pride, and arrogance, as these things hinder the presence of God in your home and in your life.
Maintain a high level of praise and worship in your home, and let prayer lead the way at all times.
Pastor Marcel Balootje