Matthew 15:15-20 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us”. Then Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
At one of my previous employers, I remember a moment witnessing my boss (the Plant Manager - after going # 2), exiting the restroom without washing his hands. Each and every object that this supervisor gave to me thereafter weighed heavily on my mind. I guess it’s part of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), to worry obsessively over restroom germs, but I just couldn’t get the image of him not washing his hands out of my mind. I also remember telling others about my boss’ disgusting habits.
Then I soon discovered that it wasn’t just my boss that didn’t wash his hands, the statistics of men and women that do not wash their hands after toilet use, is staggering to the point, that I’m not going to gross you out by telling you. Soon after this observation with my boss, everywhere I went, I would wait and watch how many men would take the time to wash their hands. Yes, the statistics are true. I’m sure you have also witnessed the amount of people that use the restroom, grab the door handle, and walk right out.
Today, I am unable to touch my food with my fingers. Even when I grab bread out of a bread-bag, I have to use a utensil. When I eat a sandwich, I have to use a fork, or I grab the sandwich by the corners, then do not eat those corners. After I brush my teeth, my toothbrush is placed upside down in a clean glass with peroxide covering the bristles, because any toothbrush left in a bathroom, within 6 feet from the toilet, is attacked by nasty airborne germs, thus my toothbrush (in a glass) stays in the kitchen (away from the sink).
It wasn’t until I was 30 years old, that I found out by a counselor that I had OCD, and that the fear of germs was my problem, and not my wife’s. I thought my wife was being careless, to say the least, for her lack of fear.
The problem with having OCD was not my fears about germs, but rather all of the steps that I took in preventing the germs from entering my body. It was a blessing when I found out that I had OCD, because I then eliminated about 3.5 hours of steps that I took each day in preventing ‘fear’. My hand washing went from about 30 times/day to about 6 times/day. The systems that I put in place before work, went from 3 hours, down to 45 minutes.
I still have a long way to go, because I am a ‘statistics’ type of guy, and I just can’t seem to let go of some things (like the toothbrush thing).
With me finding out 7 years ago that I have OCD, my obsessions, not only with germs, but hording, perfection, worry, and systems, is slowly fading away. I am seeking to rely more on God’s truths and less on my own understandings. Today, my life is more pleasant and joyful!!!
I still get up hours before work, but those hours are more constructive. I get to spend time praying, seeking God’s truth in His Holy Word, typing inspirations, etc. I guess you could say that I am now obsessed with God. Many people stereotype me now as being a ‘Jesus freak’, but that is a blessing, because before I became a Jesus freak, I was just a freak.
I discovered in observation that one can’t get away from germs. In conversations with other people, their spit is spewed all over you - just by them talking to you. Within hours, those germs from their spit multiply to the point that those same germs can possibly kill you (if that person is contagious with a commutable disease such as the flu, etc.). With me being an Administrative Assistant, I usually talk with hundreds of people each week.
Then, I work at a preschool with a 100+ kids, which multiplies my risks greatly. I teach a Sunday School class of 1st and 2nd graders, then teach an AWANA class of
grade boys, then Christian clown at nursing homes, hospitals……. I am doomed!!!!!! Not so with the power of Jesus Christ!!! He has a hedge of protection over my body and Jesus keeps me safe, day in and day out. Thank you Jesus!
I am alive and well in Jesus, and more joyful and less fearful than ever. I stopped
locking my car doors, stopped washing my hands so much… There is only one thing I fear today and that is God Almighty, and lately our relationship is tight! Truth has set me free – free indeed!!! And for that I am forever grateful – THANK YOU JESUS!!!
If you look at the Scripture I typed at the beginning of this document, you will see that what enters your mouth is much less harmful than what goes out of it!!! Jesus will keep you safe from the ‘things’ entering your mouth, but – but – but – but – the words that come out of our mouth are described by God this way:
James 1:26-27 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle (control) his tongue deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is useless.
Today, I still live in some fear. I fear other’s tongues as well as my own. Our tongues have 2 powers: to hurt or to heal. That is awesome power that God has given us, just with our tongues. We have the power to heal, WOW! Well, that is if we choose too!
Lord Jesus, please help me with my tongue!!! It is a very powerful gift you have given me, and it is in my heart to heal and not destroy. Lord, as a Christian, I know you want me to be a healer.
I praise your HOLY NAME - JESUS, MASTER, LORD, SAVIOR, FRIEND!!!
God Bless!
Love, Glen