These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. (Nehemiah 7:64)
Verses 4-63 of chapter seven list the exiles who returned. The list ends with Nehemiah’s note that those who could not prove their family lineage were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. Some of them may have been in the priestly line, but Nehemiah took no chances. Better safe than sorry, so he made some tough decisions and cut down the list of those who had access to the inner parts of the temple.
If the people in this metaphor represent our thoughts, Nehemiah’s example serves to instruct us to be ruthless about what we allow to pass through our minds and into our hearts. Only the pure should be allowed access. If it’s questionable, throw it out. There’s a good chance it’s from the Enemy.
2 Corinthians 10:5 says,
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
We have a responsibility to evaluate every thought of dubious origin. Where did it come from? From our spirit or our flesh? From God or from Satan? If it came from the latter, it’s got to go. A single thought can be the beginnings of a stronghold for the Enemy.
Wallbuilder Ministries 