What steps can we take to fully obey God in challenging situations? The Warning from Judges 1:32 “So the Asherites lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, because they did not drive them out.” (Judges 1:32) Recognize the Danger of Partial Obedience • God had clearly commanded every tribe to “drive out all the inhabitants of the land” (Deuteronomy 7:2). • Asher chose coexistence over conquest; their compromise opened the door to idolatry, intermarriage, and future oppression (Judges 2:11–13). • Partial obedience always carries hidden costs. What feels easier in the moment becomes spiritual bondage later (Galatians 5:9). Identify the Obstacles to Full Obedience • Fear of conflict: giants, fortified cities, or powerful cultures (Numbers 13:31–33). • Weariness or discouragement: battles that drag on (Joshua 18:3). • Cultural pressure: “Do not be conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2). • Self-reliance: trusting our own strength rather than the Lord’s promise (Proverbs 3:5–6). Practical Steps for Wholehearted Obedience 1. Settle God’s Word as final authority. – “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). 2. Name and remove lingering influences. – Identify any “Canaanites” (sinful habits, relationships, media, attitudes) allowed to remain. 3. Lean on God’s presence and power. – “The LORD your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you” (Deuteronomy 20:4). 4. Act immediately on what He shows. – Delayed obedience often becomes disobedience (Psalm 119:60). 5. Cultivate accountability. – Walk with believers who will “encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13). 6. Guard the borders continually. – After victory, keep watch so compromise doesn’t creep back (1 Peter 5:8). 7. Celebrate every step of faith. – Remember past deliverances to fuel fresh courage (Psalm 103:2). Encouragement from Other Passages • Joshua 1:7: “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the Law … do not turn from it to the right or to the left.” • 2 Corinthians 10:4: “The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” • Hebrews 12:1–2: “Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance … fixing our eyes on Jesus.” Living It Today God still calls His people to drive out anything that rivals His rule. By trusting His Word, relying on His strength, and taking decisive action, we can move from partial compliance to joyful, wholehearted obedience—even when the situation looks daunting. |
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