During one of my dental visits a few years ago, I got a stern reprimand from my dental hygienist for not flossing. If I heard it once, I heard it a million times, “you’ve got to floss every day!” I always ignored her instructions until during one particular visit when she looked at my x-ray, she said, “Cynthia, I ought to whip you.” She shoved the x-ray in my face and said, “Look at that big hole between your teeth. That came from not flossing.” Feeling rather sheepish I didn’t bother to put up a fight. Instead, I acknowledged my laziness. My laziness resulted in an exorbitant dental bill. I could have kicked myself. Over time, plaque had built up and caused my tooth to rot. The plaque created an environment for the decay to breed and thrive.
If you just brush your teeth, it can look like everything is fine, that is until you floss and discover hidden food particles embedded between your teeth. Only floss can reach the hidden stuff. If left unattended, over time plague builds up and results in a plaque attack – cavities and gum disease.
Just as plaque can build up when you don’t pay proper attention to your teeth, sin is spiritual plaque that can build up in our lives when we neglect to read God’s Word on a daily basis. The Word of God is a cleansing agent. Ephesians 5:26-27 says, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” God’s Word is like detergent, it gets the stains out. It infiltrates our hearts and brings hidden things to the surface. Hebrews 4:12 tells us the word “is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
For the longest time, I always forgot to floss because it was tucked away in the medicine cabinet. It was out of sight and out of mind. It wasn’t until I put the floss in a visible spot that I remembered to floss each day, thereby avoiding another plaque attack. Our Bible should be out in the open to remind us to read it every day.
King David put it this way in Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” He knew the critical role the Word of God had in his life. Flossing your teeth on a daily basis promotes dental health and preserves your teeth and gums. The same is true of reading God’s Word on a daily basis; It’s spiritual floss that promotes spiritual health and fortifies your relationship with God.
A plaque attack can be avoided. Did you remember to use your spiritual floss today?
Until next time…Be blessed!
Rev. Cynthia Jackson
Rhema Inspirations
Rev. Cynthia Jackson is the administrator of the Rhema4U Blog and Innovations Ministries Director. Rev. Jackson is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was licensed and ordained under the tutelage of Bishop David G. Evans. She is an associate minister at Bethany Baptist Church located in Lindenwold, New Jersey. Rev. Jackson founded Innovations Ministries in 2001. Innovations Ministries provides dynamic and innovative programs and services for individuals and families dealing with various health-related issues. She is a gifted teacher, preacher, conference speaker and writer. God has anointed Rev. Jackson to be a spiritual midwife with a passion to empower others to birth God's vision for their lives. Rev. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from Eastern University, a Master of Science Degree in Health Administration from Saint Joseph's University and a Master of Science Degree in Christian Counseling from Cairn University.
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