Replacement

fill their heart with something that could make a difference

I posted the following article on December 18, 2020. Please read and consider. You can find the other post here.

If we get them to quit sinning and do not fill the void left from where the sin was they will very likely fall back into the sin again. Often we will pull away from one that is falling into sin and that will cause him to lose his godly friends and have no where to go when he decides to get right with God.

We have already been given plenty of instruction on what to do to avoid this problem.

Now consider what happens if you do not replace the sin with something right and holy.

Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

We preach what we can't or shouldn't do and are known more for what we don't do than what we do and so we get him cleaned up but

Matthew 12:44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

We gave temporary relief but did not give him a higher cause to live for and to. We got rid of the old spirit but did not replace it with the Holy Spirit. We got rid of the old thoughts but did not fill his heart and mind with the new thoughts.

Matthew 12:45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

How many times have we left them worse off after our help than they were before. Our harshness and yelling at them about their sin did not help. They needed rather to fill their heart with something that could make a difference. A new way of thinking and living--the Word of God.