Duet. 19-21; Galations 3

Deuteronomy 20:16-18
"However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave anything alive that breathes. Completely destroy them- the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanaites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites- as the Lord your God has commanded you."

How could a loving God ask such thing? Order the destruction of an entire people. The further you study the more you see that God is just and the orders or commands are loving. When a region is further away more provisions are given for conquered territories but for those that are in the same region where God's people live they are told to wipe them out. Why? He did this to protect his people from idol worship, which was certain to bring to ruin Israel. Duet 20:18 tells us "Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the Lord your God." Because they were not obedient more lives were loss as Israel experience constant oppression and attacks from leaders and peoples who were supposed to be removed. We too are supposed to destroy the evil in our lives. God has given us victory over sin and many times were told to remove all the sin in our lives. Yet we allow certain evil's to exist thinking God didn't mean for me to remove every evil out of my life. I recall being in relationships when I was young in the Lord that I knew were not healthy, and decisions had to be made. At the time I felt I was being a little to legalistic or struggling if I heard the Lord right. I thank God I acted on God's spoken word to me and looking back now understand that the Lord was right. God has called many of you today to remove all the things that would ensnare you in your walk with God. It could be certain relationships, music, entertainment, alcohol or the pursuit of money. God is not a kill joy but a merciful and loving father. I am reminded of that everyday as I look upon my wife and kids and experience so many blessings when I walk in strict obedience over my own interpretation of what the Lord has for my life. So make the decision today to --- kill it. Pick up the sword and do it. I'm not talking about people off course even though some of you are tempted. If you did some more soul searching you might find your probably the evil in that person's life. Jesus is the fulfillment for that command and so your not at liberty just to let you know. Flee from evil and cling to what it good.

Pastor Joe