How to Sanctify Your House

[Mark H. Stevens, Th.D]

Pray over your home, TV, VCR, DVD and computer. Dedicate them to God's purposes and renounce any sinful use they may have had in the past. As an added measure, anoint these areas & objects with oil in the name of the Lord (see anointing).
Recite key Bible passages in your home during your quiet time and any other times throughout the day. Speaking the Word of God in your home sets a positive "spiritual atmosphere" that helps repel the forces of evil.
Speak positive words in your home; resist the temptation to speak evil of other people
Post Bible verses in key places (e.g. computer monitor, bedroom, bathroom, workshop, office) and review/recite them often (see temptation verses)
Play and/or sing praise & worship music in your home as often as possible. Praise music helps establish a spiritual protective covering over you and helps you focus on God.
Tune your radio and TV to Christian stations; minimize exposure to secular stations
Listen to teaching tapes and read books that encourage you in your walk with Jesus (see suggested books, tapes & CD's)
Invest in wholesome videos/DVD's: They can be a challenge to find, but they do exist. Look for programs that edify the family and affirm biblical values. Avoid violence, foul language, sexual themes, etc. - these things can easily wear down our resolve to live for God and weaken our faith.
Make time for rest: While this isn't a physical house-filler, it is something that should be part of our weekly schedule and may often occur at home. God's word says, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10 NIV) and he specifically commands us to take a day of holy rest each week (i.e. the Sabbath) in Exodus 20:8-11. Rest will help us focus on God and will also benefit every other area of our lives.
Make your home a place of peace: Peace will help maximize our times of rest at home. Just as the disciples sent their peace to the homes they stayed in (Luke 10:4-6), we too can send God's peace to our homes. We can say, "I speak the peace of Christ to my home and everyone in it." Through Christ we can expect supernatural improvement of the peace in our home. We can contribute to this peace by periodically silencing the various noisemakers (radio, TV, computer, phone, etc.) and devoting time to prayer.