Just what is a swamp? According to the Britannica Online Encyclopedia, a swamp is ” a type of wetland ecosystem characterized by mineral soil with poor drainage and by plant life dominated by trees. The latter characteristic distinguishes a swamp from a marsh, in which plant life consists largely of grasses. Swamps are found throughout the world. they exist in areas with poor drainage and sufficient water supply to keep the ground water logged, and they have enough minerals in the water to stimulate decay of organisms and prevent the accumulation of organic materials. They are often found in regions of low relief associated with rivers that supply the water”.

Zechariah 14:8; Ezekiel 47:1-12 describes this beautifully. Ezekiel 47:7-11: “When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds-like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea. But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt.”

When I think of swamps, I think of stagnation. I looked up the word, Stagnant: 1) “Not flowing or running as water or air. 2) Stale or foul from standing, as a pool of water. 3) Inactive or sluggish.” Living in Georgia, we are told not to leave standing water around because they are breeding grounds for mosquitos.

What is your “swamp(s)”? I am asking you this because I have had to come and still coming face-to-face with mine. The following is in no particular order. I am listing them as they came to me. These “swamps” are idols and they need to be addressed (spoken to) and rebuked in Jesus’ name. James 4:1-10. This is a must read before you go any further. These are things that keep the Bride of Christ full of spots and wrinkles and Jesus is coming back for a Pure, Spotless Bride.

Purification is not an option in our dross laden, compromised churches of today. Purification is part of the salvation. Revelation 19:6-8; 21:1-8; 2Peter 3:14-18; Ephesians 5:25-27;32.

We cannot pick and choose what we will keep and what we will command to leave in Jesus’ name. In the Old Testament there are many examples in 1&2 Kings and in 1&2 Chronicles of the mistakes that various Kings made of removing apparent idols, while leaving idols and idolatry in the “high places”. It was like leaving the door slightly ajar and thinking you are safe from intruders. It is like making a profession of love to God when your heart is far from Him. Hebrews 3:7-18; Revelation 3:1-6.

So, what is your “swamp(s)”? What is holding you back? Tradition, Learned Behavior, Prejudice, Mindsets, History, Trauma, Neediness, Culture, Race, Delusions, Denominations, Status or lack of status (socio-economic), Sins, Pride, Judgements, Dreams, Aspirations, Hobbies, Guilt, Fear, Unforgiveness. Believe me there is more.

Whatever it is, if it holds you back from moving forward, keeps you from maturing in Christ, causes you to justify your actions that inhibits Life, holding on to your rights while rejecting what is righteous, refusing to repent (to change), it has to go. 2 Timothy 3:1-9; 4:3-5.

I am not writing this to overwhelm you. I am writing this because God loves us and wants to rid us of these stumbling blocks. All we have to do is yield (submit) to Him as He makes us aware of these things, stand in obedience to what He is doing in our hearts (this is called resisting the devil), and watch the devil flee. James 4:1-10; Philippians 3:7-16.