But if you don't drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, those you allow to remain will become thorns in your eyes and in your sides; they will harass you in the land where you will live. - Numbers 33:55
God clearly commanded the Israelites to remove all the inhabitants of Canaan when they entered the Promised Land. In fact, the people were to be totally eradicated, anihilated, wiped out. If Israel failed in their task, then God predicted that the Canaanites would become a source of continuous trouble and ultimately weaken Israel's spiritual strength through religious syncretism. Fo course, we know that the Israelites disobeyed God's command and His prediction was fulfilled.
God gives each Christ-follower the power to overcome their sin, but He also expects each one to do their part. We must attack our sin with all the spiritual power at our disposal, including: God's Spirit, God's Word, and God's family. The battles will be many, but the war is already won. We may not eradicate our sin, but we can still fulfill our role as its master.
Fight as if the result is not certain, but remember that it is. The stakes are too high, not to do our best, for they are His glory and our witness.
A revival does two things. First, it returns the Church from her backsliding and second, it causes the conversion of men and women; and it always includes the conviction of sin on the part of the Church. What a spell the devil seems to cast over the Church today! - Billy Sunday
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