Leave Nothing Alive

Scripture:

Deuteronomy 20:16, 18  "In the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes...they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods."

Observation:

As the children of Israel were preparing to inherit the Promised Land, God spoke very clearly to them about putting to death every living thing in the cities they would conquer.  He told them that if anything or anyone was left alive, they would teach Israel to worship their gods which was detestable to the Lord.  God wanted nothing left alive.  He wanted no competition with the gods of the other nations.  He wanted nothing to pull the heart of His people away from Him.

Application:

In the New Testament, we are not told to take over land areas and cities by force, but there are some concepts that are true in both situations.  We are not to kill our enemies, we are to love them.  But God still wants to be first in our lives.  He still wants nothing in our lives that will pull us away from Him.  We are to die to the flesh and live to the Spirit.  We must put to death the practices of our old lifestyle before Christ so we won't be tempted to go back.

Prayer:

Father, help me to walk after You completely and fully.  Help me to kill the flesh and live to the Spirit.  Teach me to live completely under Your influence and fulfill all You want in my life.  I offer you my life as a sacrifice this morning.  I am Yours.

Forever,
Jeff