"The Lord was with the people of Judah, and they took possession of the hill country. But they failed to drive out the people living in the plains, who had iron chariots. The town of Hebron was given to Caleb as Moses had promised. And Caleb drove out the people living there, who were descendants of the three sons of Anak.
The tribe of Benjamin, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live in Jerusalem among the people of Benjamin.
The tribe of Benjamin, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live in Jerusalem among the people of Benjamin.
The tribe of Manasseh failed to drive out the people living in Beth-shan, Taanach, Dor, Ibleam, Megiddo, and all their surrounding settlements, because the Canaanites were determined to stay in that region. When the Israelites grew stronger, they forced the Canaanites to work as slaves, but they never did drive them completely out of the land.
The tribe of Ephraim failed to drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer, so the Canaanites continued to live there among them.
The tribe of Zebulun failed to drive out the residents of Kitron and Nahalol, so the Canaanites continued to live among them. But the Canaanites were forced to work as slaves for the people of Zebulun.
The tribe of Asher failed to drive out the residents of Acco, Sidon, Ahlab, Aczib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob. Instead, the people of Asher moved in among the Canaanites, who controlled the land, for they failed to drive them out.
Likewise, the tribe of Naphtali failed to drive out the residents of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath. Instead, they moved in among the Canaanites, who controlled the land. Nevertheless, the people of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath were forced to work as slaves for the people of Naphtali.
As for the tribe of Dan, the Amorites forced them back into the hill country and would not let them come down into the plains. The Amorites were determined to stay in Mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim, but when the descendants of Joseph became stronger, they forced the Amorites to work as slaves. The boundary of the Amorites ran from Scorpion Pass to Sela and continued upward from there.
The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said to the Israelites, “I brought you out of Egypt into this land that I swore to give your ancestors, and I said I would never break my covenant with you. For your part, you were not to make any covenants with the people living in this land; instead, you were to destroy their altars. But you disobeyed my command. Why did you do this? 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.”
When the angel of the Lord finished speaking to all the Israelites, the people wept loudly." Judges 1:19-21,26-36, 2:4
The tribe of Ephraim failed to drive out the Canaanites living in Gezer, so the Canaanites continued to live there among them.
The tribe of Zebulun failed to drive out the residents of Kitron and Nahalol, so the Canaanites continued to live among them. But the Canaanites were forced to work as slaves for the people of Zebulun.
The tribe of Asher failed to drive out the residents of Acco, Sidon, Ahlab, Aczib, Helbah, Aphik, and Rehob. Instead, the people of Asher moved in among the Canaanites, who controlled the land, for they failed to drive them out.
Likewise, the tribe of Naphtali failed to drive out the residents of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath. Instead, they moved in among the Canaanites, who controlled the land. Nevertheless, the people of Beth-shemesh and Beth-anath were forced to work as slaves for the people of Naphtali.
As for the tribe of Dan, the Amorites forced them back into the hill country and would not let them come down into the plains. The Amorites were determined to stay in Mount Heres, Aijalon, and Shaalbim, but when the descendants of Joseph became stronger, they forced the Amorites to work as slaves. The boundary of the Amorites ran from Scorpion Pass to Sela and continued upward from there.
The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said to the Israelites, “I brought you out of Egypt into this land that I swore to give your ancestors, and I said I would never break my covenant with you. For your part, you were not to make any covenants with the people living in this land; instead, you were to destroy their altars. But you disobeyed my command. Why did you do this? 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.”
When the angel of the Lord finished speaking to all the Israelites, the people wept loudly." Judges 1:19-21,26-36, 2:4
As I continue to read about the children of Israel, I can't stop thinking about their failure to completely drive the enemies out of their land. The beautiful land that God had given them. I am reminded of the following scripture again and again.
"These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age." 1 Corinthians 10:11
I need to search my heart continually to be sure I'm actually driving out ALL the enemies of my soul.
I need to constantly give myself lifestyle and heart check-ups.
Sure, I pray, read my Bible, go to church and attempt to be kind and loving. But am I failing to drive out hindrances?
Sure, I pray, read my Bible, go to church and attempt to be kind and loving. But am I failing to drive out hindrances?
If allowed, the seemingly harmless hindrances will, for certain, morph into "thorns in my side."
I know Christians who enjoy reading their horoscope. Just for fun. However, astrology is not of God. God is a jealous God and He is not happy when we dabble in worldly wisdom, which stems from hell.
What about really good, thought provoking movies that only have a little bit of swearing, sexual innuendo, violence, or worldly wisdom thrown in? Ummm, "drive them ALL out."
What about that Enneagram that is so much fun, as it helps us understand ourselves and others? Check out the origins, folks. The Enneagram was birthed through automatic writing in the sixties by Oscar Ichazo, the founder of the Arica School. Google Arica School. You will find out all about the roots of the Enneagram.
automatic writing definition from Oxford: "writing said to be produced by a spiritual, occult, or subconscious agency rather than by the conscious intention of the writer"
We muse replace studying the Enneagram with honest dialogue with God. Which is talking to Him and listening to Him. Plus studying His word. Our Creator knows us better than anybody.
We muse replace studying the Enneagram with honest dialogue with God. Which is talking to Him and listening to Him. Plus studying His word. Our Creator knows us better than anybody.
What about video games and the Christian? Now there's a touchy subject.
What about reading fiction and/or non-fiction? If the hobby is all consuming, then, yes, it needs to be "driven out."
What about food? I will confess here. I have a food addiction. Most folks would say I am average weight. Some would say I'm blessed with a high metabolism. But it's not about weight. It's about fasting. I really struggle with fasting. I even joined a FaceBook intermittent fasting group, hoping to receive encouragement. But so far, it hasn't helped at all.
I honestly feel like food is an idol for me. If I'm not eating, I'm thinking about my next meal or snack. When I fast, I can usually make it to 3 p.m. or so, and then my addiction takes over and I head into the kitchen. If I'm out driving, I head for fast food. So yeah.I have to "drive this enemy out."
Whatever is coming between God and you or me is an enemy that needs to be driven out of our lives.
Frenemies. That's what they are. They seem fun and harmless until one day they turn ugly.
If we continue to serve God plus our frenemies too, we are in big trouble.
Wow. I am very convicted right now.
"Dear Jesus, I feel awful. My sin is staring me down. I feel like the Apostle Paul. When I try to do right my sin is ever before me! I need Thee more than ever before. I have been a Christian my whole life. You would think I would have it down by now. And yet, here I am, struggling. You have told me exactly what You desire from me. So if I am not obeying You, then it's sin. Plain and simple. Please forgive me, a sinner. How I love You, Jesus. Thank You for Your unconditional Love. Thank You for dying on the Cross for me, the worst of sinners. Please be near me in my weakness. Please deliver me from my enemies. In Jesus name I pray these things, AMEN."
My plan of action:
What about food? I will confess here. I have a food addiction. Most folks would say I am average weight. Some would say I'm blessed with a high metabolism. But it's not about weight. It's about fasting. I really struggle with fasting. I even joined a FaceBook intermittent fasting group, hoping to receive encouragement. But so far, it hasn't helped at all.
I honestly feel like food is an idol for me. If I'm not eating, I'm thinking about my next meal or snack. When I fast, I can usually make it to 3 p.m. or so, and then my addiction takes over and I head into the kitchen. If I'm out driving, I head for fast food. So yeah.I have to "drive this enemy out."
Whatever is coming between God and you or me is an enemy that needs to be driven out of our lives.
Frenemies. That's what they are. They seem fun and harmless until one day they turn ugly.
If we continue to serve God plus our frenemies too, we are in big trouble.
Wow. I am very convicted right now.
"Dear Jesus, I feel awful. My sin is staring me down. I feel like the Apostle Paul. When I try to do right my sin is ever before me! I need Thee more than ever before. I have been a Christian my whole life. You would think I would have it down by now. And yet, here I am, struggling. You have told me exactly what You desire from me. So if I am not obeying You, then it's sin. Plain and simple. Please forgive me, a sinner. How I love You, Jesus. Thank You for Your unconditional Love. Thank You for dying on the Cross for me, the worst of sinners. Please be near me in my weakness. Please deliver me from my enemies. In Jesus name I pray these things, AMEN."
My plan of action:
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