John Ashcroft wrote that in order to clean up New York City, " Rudolph Giuliani started by going after the little things. 'I am a firm believer in the theory that "minor" crimes and "quality of life" offenses are all part of the larger picture,' he explains. Among the first elements to go were the 'Squeegee Men', drug-addicted and shady-looking riffraff who personified New YOrk's rough edge. Armed with a soiled rag and a dirty bottle of watered-down Windex, these men would bully and badger motorists of money.

"Giuliani said, 'We're not going to put up with this anymore,' and he brought this intimidation to an end. He then declared war on graffiti, subway panhandlers, loitering, broken window, and petty vandalism-minor offenses that would have gone unnoticed in days past while the police force was overwhelmed with homicides and violent crime. But Giuliani had a hunch: If you send out a signal that you won't tolerate the minor offenses, people will get the idea that the major offenses will be treated even more seriously...It worked. Giuliani has been successful in reducing crime beyond all expectations."

What if we began the same policy concerning the "city" of our hearts? If we declare war on the "minor" sins, surely the major sins won't be able to lodge in our cities and defile the quality of our walk with God.

Think about it.