“Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Regard it as vile and utterly detest it, for it is set apart for destruction.” (Deuteronomy 7:26)

I love finding these verses from the “Law,” or first five books of the bible, that maintain such a clear relevance today. Throughout the New Testament, we come to this stance that Jesus did not abolish the Law – He completed the Law. This leaves the Law with an interesting relevance in our current lives. Jesus never instructed His followers to abandon the Law. In fact, most of His dealings with the Religious leaders was calling out their abuse of Law. Inferring the Law’s importance, and rebuking those in leadership who miss-used it. The point I’m trying to make, is that we may be tempted to overlook these critical books as being outdated and not relevant given the New Covenant in Christ. Yet, the Old Covenant (the Law) can be used to point out sin today just as well as it did in the years before Jesus. With that, we look at today’s verse from Deuteronomy. While I’m sure it’s true that no one would willingly bring something filthy into their homes. Today’s verse calls our attention to the seemingly unintentional filth that we may carry around with us. In the days of Moses, the Israelites would sometimes covet the idols and gold / silver taken from foreigners after battle. Secretly holding onto these things because of their perceived value. Likewise today, there may be something we too are holding on to and coveting because of its value. And these things become detestable to our Lord when our coveting elevates them above God. So the way to interpret this verse is not by rejecting the obvious dirty and filthy trash. But to search deep within your heart and regard the things that have become more important than God as the true evil. Today, may we all examine ourselves and set apart what separates us from God for destruction.