DRY SOCKET

Matthew 12:43-45 -        Now when an unclean spirit goes out of a man; it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it.  Then it says, “I will return to my house from which I came; and when it comes it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order.  Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go and live there;
 
 
When I took my mom to the oral surgeon yesterday, we were told that she had dry socket from having a tooth pulled.  Dry socket is where a clot either never formed or dislodged from where the tooth was pulled leaving bone and nerves exposed in a now empty space.  It’s very painful and can take numerous days to heal and grow the soft tissue needed to cover and protect the area where the tooth once was.
 
I couldn’t help but think of our walk as believers with Christ.  As believers Jesus dwells within us like the blood clot plugging the hole to where the tooth once was.  We have laid aside our old self, and put on the new self in the likeness of God (Eph 4:22-24).  Sometimes we “backslide” and practice the very thing we do not want Rom 7:19); similar to when a clot lets loose allowing food to enter the space causing more pain.  We may not notice this change immediately but feel the effects over time.  In the above verse, if we don’t fill the space once occupied by sin with good and with Christ, it will come back ten-fold.  The surgeon told my mom to wait a few days then rinse the area using a syringe and mouthwash disinfectant. Then, over time it would begin to heal and grow the tissue it needs.  The same is true in our journey as believers.  Over time it’s critical that we monitor our steps and continually cleanse and disinfect our hearts from anything that may trip us up.  We grow over time by being diligent in God’s word and prayer to where as we mature as believers we learn how to protect and defend the enemy attacks.  Let’s put on the armor of God and fill our life with His Word trusting that He will heal our every need and protect us from the trials of this world.
 
 
Lord, thank you for filling my every need when the trials of life come.  Help me to remain steadfast in You who dwells within me and continually seek Your Word. Thank you for growing and protecting me even when I fail.  You are all I need.
 
 
Do you have dry socket?  Fill it with Christ.