Apparently, I have a little OCD, obsessive-compulsive behavior. I notice that when I walk our neighborhood, I have an overwhelming urge to kick stray rocks off the sidewalk. Not all the rocks, mind you. Just the ones that are naturally within my stride. For some reason I feel the need to punt the neighbors’ landscaping back within the boundary of their yard.

Then I started thinking, am I actively doing this in my spiritual life? Am I kicking out things that don’t belong? Or am I just letting them sit there, taking up time and space and allowing them to pile up into bigger problems? Whether it’s an annoyance, temptation, or distraction, I must discern what does not belong in my life.

Here are a few Scriptures to help us identify what definitely needs kicked out!

• “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:31).

• “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (James 1:21).

• “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20). In other words, sometimes even relationships must end or be given boundaries.

• “[L]et us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” (Hebrews 12:1b).

There are also many verses in the Old Testament warning to get “rid of false idols”, a good reminder that nothing should take priority over our relationship with the Lord God.

May we kick out what doesn’t draw us closer to God or reflect His character.