Thorns in Your Sides

Scripture:

Judges 2:3 "So now I declare that I will no longer drive out the people living in your land. They will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a constant temptation to you".

Observation:

God had told the people of Israel to kick out every other inhabitant in the land so that the land would be free from ungodly influence. When they got into the land, it was a lot of work to drive them out so they compromised with them and allowed them to live with them instead of driving them out of the land as God had told them to do. When God gives a clear order with consequences, it must be taken seriously.

Application:

Many people today are living with thorns in their sides and constant temptation for the very same reason the Israelites lost the blessing of God on their lives. Many times people today come to Christ, but don't want to totally walk away from their past life of sin. The "unconquered" areas of life come back to haunt them later. Instead of taking the time and energy to become pure and get rid of all uncleanness, people are satisfied to live with their enemy instead of kicking him totally out of their lives. The enemy must go with all his stuff if we are going to walk in victory.

Prayer:

Lord, let a generation arise that is serious about doing things Your way and not ours. Let us cleanse ourselves of all filthiness of the flesh. Let us walk in purity and not compromise with the enemy in any area of our lives. I want to walk in Your blessings and in the holiness you have made possible for us.

Sincerely,

jeff