VACANCY OR NO VACANCY
BY THE LATE ELDER B. E. ECHOLS
Something that resembles this title is often seen by those who travel the highways of our country. Those on and off signals placed in front of the many Motels and Tourist Courts which dot our thoroughfares and highways. They are placed there for the traveler’s convenience. They save one time from stopping to inquire concerning vacancies. If the sign is flashing “Vacancy” one is assured that he can obtain lodging, if he is willing to pay the required price. If the sign reads “No Vacancy” one might as well keep driving. This method of information does not only save the traveler time, energy, and disappointment, it also is a great benefit to the proprietor or operator in that, he is saved the time and energy for answering so many useless calls after everything has been taken.
The Scriptural Application
We are admonished by the Lord and His ministers to keep filled with the Spirit. There is one rendering of Eph. 5:18 that reads as follows; “keep being filled with the Spirit,” thus denoting a continual action. Many of the baptized believers of our Pentecostal Constituency, who have experienced the infilling of the Holy Ghost according to Acts 2:1-4 and 10:44-46, have never realized the necessity of a DAILY RENEWING of the Spirit within their souls. The Apostle Paul admonishes us,
“Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed DAY BY DAY”–constantly. If we will obey these and other exhortations of the Scripture concerning our keeping filled with the Holy Ghost, we will always have our spiritual signal sign reading “No Vacancy,” when that “old traveler” comes our way, who is continually walking about seeking whom he may devour. (I Peter 5:8)
Very Dangerous To Be Vacant
My friend, you and I as Christians are acting very foolish when we neglect to pray, read our Bibles, and do not attend our local church services regularly. If we do not seek the Lord every day for a renewing of His Spirit within our lives, the signal sign in front of our motel will automatically begin to read “Vacancy.” We will then be having that undesirable traveler paying us visits and taking up his abode within our lives. He will begin his corrupting work and influence upon our spiritual lives and soon will have us back in the pitfalls of sin and degradation. If you have any doubts concerning the last statements, just read Matthew 12:43-45. It is a very dangerous thing to allow your spiritual house to become vacant or empty–even though you might be continuing to live clean and holy, for the time being. Holiness of life alone does not afford one any security against the temptations of Satan. (John 15:5, Psa 8:4-5, 1 Peter 5:8)
Wicked Spirits Enter Vacant Souls
(Proverbs 28:13; l John l:9)
“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, ‘I will return into my house from whence I came out’ and when he is come, he findeth it empty (no Holy Ghost within), swept (thoroughly cleansed by repentance and confession of sins (Prov. 28:13 and I John 1:9)) and garnished (by baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins). Then he goeth (when he discovers that his former residence is empty), and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell (stay) and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”
It really takes something to dislodge the devil once he gets entrenched within our lives. The best thing to do is to get filled and stay filled with the Holy Ghost; thus preventing these evil and wicked spirits from entering or re-entering our lives. This will keep the “No Vacancy” signal flickering in his face every time he comes our way, and he will pass us up more often then he would otherwise. He knows that the Holy Ghost power is more powerful then he is. (I John 4:4; Acts 1:8)
Vacant Souls Vulnerable To Satan’s Attacks
Any person who tries to live this Christian life without a constant flow of the Spirit into his soul is certainly vulnerable to all of
Satan’s attacks. (John 4:14; 7:37-38) Remember, Jesus warned His disciples that, “without Me ye can do nothing.” How foolish we act when we try to get by without God in our lives, even for a moment. The indwelling of the Holy Ghost is what furnishes us with power “over all the power of the enemy,” and assures us that “nothing shall by any means hurt (us) you.” (Luke 10:15; Acts 18:15-18; 18:11-12, 13-17).
In Job 36:18 we read, “Because there is wrath, beware (be on your guard or lookout for Satan) lest he take thee away WITH HIS STROKE: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.” This is certainly another reference to the undermining and destructive work of Satan. How we need to pray daily and keep being filled with the Spirit. Then, it will not matter if Satan does stop for a few knocks at our door or takes a peep inside. He will Soon find out that he is seeking entrance where he will never gain any. How wonderful it is to be filled with the Holy Ghost at all times and thus keep your spiritual signal sign reading, “No Vacancy.”
Brother and Sister, pray on and keep filled with the Spirit. You will not have to resist the devil much longer for the Lord is soon going to call His children home to that beautiful and wonderful country called heaven. Oh, praise His name forever and ever!
The Bible Evidence Of “No Vacancy”
Jesus said, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” What was Jesus referring to in this statement? Surely it is the fruit of the Spirit, (Gal. 5:22,23) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” These are the things by which we can assure our hearts that our spiritual signal sign is reading, “No Vacancy” and by which the devil and everyone else can know that our bodies are occupied by the Lord.
THE ABOVE MATERIAL WAS PUBLISHED BY THE LATE ELDER B. E. ECHOLS.
THIS MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHTED AND MAY BE USED FOR STUDY & RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY..
