How can we "drive out all the inhabitants" of sin in our lives? The original command: Numbers 33:52 “you must drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and cast idols, and demolish all their high places.” The spiritual parallel today • Israel’s Canaanites picture the entrenched sins and idols that resist God’s reign in us. • Just as Israel could not coexist with pagan altars, believers cannot negotiate with sin (Romans 6:12-14). • God’s call is not partial renovation but complete eviction of every rebel desire (Colossians 3:5). Why total eviction matters • Remaining pockets of sin become snares (Numbers 33:55). • Compromise dulls spiritual affection and testimony (Revelation 3:16). • Holiness brings freedom and fellowship with God (Hebrews 12:14; 1 John 1:7). Practical steps for driving out sin 1. Identify the inhabitants – Ask the Spirit to expose hidden strongholds (Psalm 139:23-24). – Name attitudes, habits, relationships, and entertainments that defy Christ’s lordship. 2. Declare Christ’s ownership – “You are not your own; you were bought with a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). – Renounce every rival authority; surrender rights, ambitions, and memories to Jesus. 3. Break the idols decisively – Delete, discard, unfollow, resign—whatever feeds the sin (Matthew 5:29-30). – Replace with godly rhythms: Scripture intake, prayer, fellowship (Psalm 119:9-11; Acts 2:42). 4. Arm yourself with the Word – Memorize verses targeting each temptation (Ephesians 6:17). – Speak truth aloud when desires flare, just as Jesus did (Matthew 4:4-10). 5. Walk by the Spirit daily – Depend on His power, not sheer willpower (Galatians 5:16-17). – Start mornings yielding control; pause midday for recalibration; end nights in thanksgiving. 6. Recruit faithful allies – Confess struggles to mature believers (James 5:16). – Invite loving accountability; celebrate progress together (Hebrews 10:24-25). 7. Keep short accounts with God – When you stumble, own it immediately (1 John 1:9). – Receive cleansing, rise again, and press forward (Proverbs 24:16). Guarding the cleared land • Replace old inhabitants with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). • Cultivate alertness—small compromises reopen gates (1 Peter 5:8). • Celebrate victories to reinforce new patterns (Psalm 103:2-5). Encouragement from God’s promise • “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4) • The same God who commanded Israel supplies grace to finish the work in us (Philippians 1:6). |
    |