Submit and Resist

Scripture: “ ‘But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live.  And then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.’ ”  Numbers 33:55,56 NIV

Observation: The Lord speaks through Moses to the Israelites about the importance of completely clearing away any influences that could cause them to stray after they entered the promised land.

Application: Just as the Israelites were to distance themselves from ungodly influence, the indigenous people from whom they were taking the promised land; we are to rid ourselves of the “old” when we enter the new promised land–life with Christ.  We cannot be a house divided, if we tolerate any of our old self we become divided and we will fall.  God want us to maintain our holiness because he is holy.  James 4:7 NIV says, “submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  We must submit and resist so that we can maintain our God-given holiness.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I give my life to you and I ask that you keep the devil and old influences far from me. Help me to be the holy new creation that you made when I accepted Christ. Amen

Doug