What might mold be symbolic of?

[Matthitjah]

Just don't use Velveeta in your analogy because mold won't grow on that either. It's processed cheese food and not real cheese.

[Shiloh62]

Just don't use Velveeta in your analogy because mold won't grow on that either. It's processed cheese food and not real cheese.

So true! I remember Velveeta-its a man-made processed yellow colored sumpin or other.

[nebula]

OK, guys - back to the mold question.

One thing to note about the law(s) regarding mold:

Anything that has mold/mildew growing on it is to be destroyed.

Why is that?

(Consider that at least today we have cleaners that can kill the mold,)

What is it about mold, though, that would would dictate the need for the infected item to be destroyed? (Keeping the spiritual context in mind.)

[EricH]

I think it would depend on the specific passage it is used in. I am not aware that it has any universal symbolic meaning (like leaven)

[Hunterpoet]

OK, guys - back to the mold question.

One thing to note about the law(s) regarding mold:

Anything that has mold/mildew growing on it is to be destroyed.

Why is that?

(Consider that at least today we have cleaners that can kill the mold,)

What is it about mold, though, that would would dictate the need for the infected item to be destroyed? (Keeping the spiritual context in mind.)

OK, now I must reveal my secret identity:)...since may of 2006, I'm a certified mold inspector and have been for years involved in remediation and restoration after floods or water accidents.

The thing about mold is that once it becomes embedded in a favorable substrate it is there forever, and there is no reliable analysis to prove the mold has been killed 100%. Most of the products I use also contain a sealer to " encapsulate the mold ", but this is not a good solution for any substrate that has suffered any structural compromise ie, the substrate is stained, smells and is deteriorated. In this situation, the mold spores are present in the billions and much better to rip it out, clean thoroughly, and replace and then use a fungicidal/encapsulating agent to try and ensure any remaining spores do not set up housekeeping on the new substrate.

Now onto the spiritual implications....radical amputation.....Jos. 7:24(please read), not only Achan, but his whole family and all his possessions were killed and then burned(consumed). Why? Because, anything of Achans would be a reminder of the sin committed. Furthermore, please read Mt.5:30, Mr.9:43, Mr9:45.....cutting off the right hand and removing the eye..so the whole body doesn't end up in hell.....Unless we remove all traces of sin, then sin is still alive and can fester and grow...just like mold...you have to ensure all of it is gone 100%, or it will grow again.

Pratical example:...you vow to stop looking at pornography, but keep a "girlie" tool or hotrod calendar on the garage wall...have you removed all pornography from your life???? Can this calendar help you too stumble and fall back into sin...just like one little mold spore can grow into billions under the right conditions.

I pray I have imparted His teachings correctly.

your brother in Christ

hunter

[nebula]

Thank-you for that insight, Hunter.

[Hunterpoet]

Hunter brings up a good point, and a good parallel. Basically, mold is impossible to destroy once it gets started, unless whatever it is in is completely destroyed. Sin in our life is impossible to get rid of completely without Christ. . .

Thank you Cobalt...was hoping someone would come along and complete the unfinished work.

We can get rid of all the sin, but victory is not ours without CHRIST JESUS

[nebula]

I just found something interesting:

http://www.havelockfirstumc.org/Sermon-Mil...0and%20Cats.htm

<snip>

Now to subdue the earth is not for our purposes, but for God= s. We are not unbridled conquerers of the earth, but are called upon to work in God= s garden, to take care of it. And, there are limits, symbolized by the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Good and evil: these come from God himself, not from our heart, not from our desires, not from our opinions.

To eat of the fruit of the tree is not just to disobey God, but it is to, in a symbolic way, to seek to devour God= s commands and by implication substitute ours.

And with this in mind, we come to mildew in our houses. At first glance, this is not a very promising Scripture upon which to base a sermon. After all, we regard mildew not as a problem to be given over to God, but rather as a problem to be given over to Tilex. We don't like mildew much, but for aesthetic and health reasons, not theological.

But let= s look again. This Scripture at a deeper level speaks of a proper relationship among us, God, and our possessions. For us, such rules might be given by a local health authority, but in the Bible they are given by God. For all of life ultimately comes under the purview of God.

Mildew was, and is, considered as something contrary to the health and well-being of the community, something invasive and destructive, something that God himself commands us to deal with.

Previous verses had spoken of handling mildew in clothing, then a disease similar mildew that could infect the skin, and now, mildew in our homes.

Now, we consider our homes our most important possessions, as well we should. But the context in the Scripture is this: these homes will be in a land which God has given. Lest the people boast of their own self-sufficiency, this land is a gift from God.

And what of the homes the people own? Sure, they own the homes, but when the mildew comes, what then? It= s not just a matter of using bleach. It's not just a private matter within the family. It is a matter that is of concern of the priest, and by extension, of God himself.

The priest stands as a representative of God. It's no accident that the time of the testing is seven days, which is a number that is representative of creation itself, creation ordained by God and from God's own creating word.

We own the house. Sure. But we are not the ultimate owner. We do not have the final decision over what to do with the house. We make that decision in relationship to God, under the guidance of God.

The house is ours, but ultimately we hold it in trust. In trust for God.

<snip>

And my house. Not mine legally of course, but mine to live in. Not to use just for my own pleasure, rest, and relaxation, but at some level so that I might better live to serve Him.

Now we have long since decided that mildew on the walls is no longer a problem with which God is concerned directly. You get the sense the folks in Old Testament days saw mildew as a result of sin at some level; we now think mildew results not from a lack of inspiration or sanctification, but from a lack of ventilation.

But somehow a question lingers: what does God expect of me, of my life, so that my heart is no longer mildewed, but is rather again cleansed and spotless, and made fit to serve the One from whom ultimately all possessions are given, and to whom all possessions ultimately belong? Amen.

[Hunterpoet]

First I will say that I believe good comes from GOD, evil comes from the absence of GOD.

Mildew comes from the lack of maintenance and ventilation.

GOD wants all people to become sanctified, which I 'am, praise GOD, I have been made holy, set apart for GOD, by the sacrifice and resurrection of CHRIST JESUS.

OK, now what, Well, time and time again I read that those who adhere to the word of GOD are blessed and favored, those that do not are cursed and given over to the fruits of their sin and always this is in reference to those who already know GOD.

So, because we know how to clean and ventilate, if we scrub our walls and open the windows we don't have to worry about mildew.However, if we know how to clean and ventilate and don't do it then mildew will grow anyway.

If we open our hearts and LIVE the word of GOD, we don't have to worry about sin, and we will be an example and a light unto others. If we close our hearts and do not live the word of GOD, even though we know Him, the only thing we can show others is a dark and dreary place that smells and will make you sick and maybe kill you.

Billy Graham is one of my hero's, not because of the way he preached, but because of the way he LIVED. I believe had he not been an evangelical minister, he would have still been a fine example and helped others find the Lord.

We need a mold free house to live in, the Lord needs a sin free temple in which to dwell. If your house is clean, people will see this, if the Lord is in His temples, people will see this as well.

All glory to GOD almighty

[nebula]

Thanks, Hunter!