Day 2 - Destroy that Which Destroys You

SCRIPTURE:

Joshua 7:12 “Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst.”

DEVOTIONAL:

This tragic story scribed fighting words on my heart and mind. Bottom line? Achan didn’t trust God. His disobedience through greed and mistrust was a reflection of the original sin of Adam and Eve. The result in both stories was death.

What transformed me: Verse 12 says, “I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst.” 

God declares some pretty scary consequences of holding onto impurity and mistrust. He would no longer be with Israel unless they dealt swiftly and radically with sin.

Whatever destroys a relationship with God must be destroyed. The scribed words that I hold onto are “Destroy that which destroys you.”

Because I’ve struggled with temptation in my life, I have to be vigilant about eradicating sinful thoughts and desires. I must take hold of Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Everytime I choose to think differently it becomes my new normal. A surrendered mind is physiologically transformed over time. 

I love today’s scripture because it teaches me to live my faith aggressively. Passive soldiers are vulnerable to easy attacks. I’ve learned that all addiction is about trying to get our needs met in the immediate instead of the eternal.

Take a moment and be brutally honest. Is there ANYTHING that you need to get aggressive about destroying in your life? I promise the moment you do, you will step into freedom and a refreshed relationship with Jesus. One final thought, never war alone; you’re not built for it. We desperately need each other. When you confess your sins one to another God is always faithful to forgive and establish a powerful band of brothers and sisters.