Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were completely unprepared? My husband and I had one such run-in when, without our knowledge, our two-year-old daughter jumped into a pool without her life vest on! When we realized what had happened we dove in, lifted her out sputtering and coughing, but thankfully unharmed.
We all learned an important lesson that day about being prepared, especially in potentially dangerous circumstances. In the same way, the Bible exhorts us to be spiritually prepared: “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph. 6:11). Our enemy is cunning and his temptations treacherous; “…sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it” (Gen. 4:7).
Sin, if not dealt with, will prove perilous to our walk with the Lord. Unpreparedness will leave us ‘in over our heads’. But God is faithful in preparing us to deal with sin, just as He is faithful in bringing us to a place of victory over it. We see God’s faithfulness to Israel as He equipped them to deal with the sin of the nations before taking their place in the Promised Land.
“When the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations…seven nations larger and stronger than you—and when the Lord your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them…” (Deut. 7:1–2, emphasis added). Moses’ preparation of the Israelites began with the acknowledgment that it was the Lord who would bring them into the land and deliver the nations over to them in defeat. Obviously, such a task was impossible in their own strength.
As we confront areas of sin in our own lives, the battles ahead may seem impossible. We tend to think, This problem is just too big for me… How will I ever overcome it? But the Bible says, “…nothing is impossible with God” (Lk. 1:37, emphasis added). And, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps. 73:26). When dealing with sin, we must rely on God’s strength.
God’s instructions regarding the Canaanite nations were sobering and straightforward: “…you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy” (Deut. 7:2). Archaeologists have uncovered artifacts that reveal the depth of sin and depravity of these nations. Bones of infants sacrificed in the fire, children entombed in the walls and foundations of dwellings, and statues with exaggerated sex organs are evidences that the sin of the Canaanites had indeed “reached its full measure” (Gen. 15:16). Moses knew that unless the Israelites destroyed these nations completely, their sin would spread like a disease—infecting the hearts of the people and turning them away from the Lord.
The only right response to sin is faithfulness; we must be faithful to address it as the Lord enables us, not allowing it to spread and defile our hearts. Scripture tells us to “count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus”, and, “do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires” (Rom. 6:11–12). Sin may attack our hearts and battle for dominion, but it can never sit upon the throne! When dealing with sin, we must respond faithfully.
Israel would not conquer the Promised Land because they were exceptionally impressive or good or faithful, but because God chose them. “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession. The Lord did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples… But it was because the Lord loved you…” (Deut. 7:6–8).
There is great freedom in knowing it’s not up to us! We will never be good enough or smart enough or faithful enough for God, but because of what Jesus did on the cross we can claim His victory as our own. “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:23–24). When dealing with sin, we must remember our standing precedes our conduct.
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands” (Deut. 7:9). God detailed the promised blessing for the Israelites (v.12–15) if they faithfully obeyed His commands. He reminded them to pay attention to His laws and follow them carefully, lest they become ensnared by idolatry (v.16).
It’s easy to view God’s commands as just a bunch of “do’s and don’t’s”. But God’s word is our weapon—a sword against the enemy’s attacks (Eph. 6:17)! We ought to strive to wield it effectively, understanding its purpose is our protection and benefit. In his first epistle, John explains, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin” (1 Jn. 2:1, emphasis added). All the resources for spiritual victory are ours in Christ Jesus and His word! When dealing with sin, we must follow God’s word.
“You may say to yourselves, ‘These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?’” (Deut. 7:17). Fear was a potential problem for the Israelites, one that would cripple their ability to do battle against their enemies. At the root of fear is unbelief, and Moses countered that temptation by recalling God’s past faithfulness (v.18–20). The promise of God’s presence was also an ease to the people’s fears: “Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God” (v.21, emphasis added).
Before His crucifixion, Jesus comforted the disciples saying, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid…I am coming back to you… I have told you now before it happens, so that when it happens you will believe” (Jn. 14:27, 28, 29). God is faithful to ease our fears and give us hope in the midst of our struggles. When dealing with sin, we must remember God’s promised presence and past faithfulness.
Even though God promised success for their conquest, the Israelites would not be able to drive out all seven nations at once. “The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you” (Deut. 7:22). God knew how to manage Israel’s battles in order to achieve the best possible outcome.
Oftentimes spiritual victory doesn’t happen as quickly as we’d like, but God is more concerned with our holiness rather than our happiness. He not only provides ample time and opportunity for growth, but also protects us from consequences we can’t fully see or appreciate. James tells us, “…the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (Jas. 1:3–4). No one has ever learned to practice patience without the opportunity to exercise it. When dealing with sin, we must be patient in the process.
In the face of such numerous, powerful enemies and the prospect of a long, tedious conquest, the Israelites may have been tempted to doubt that God would really see them through to the end. But Moses confirmed God’s promise of victory to the nation: “[The Lord your God] will give their kings into your hand, and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand up against you; you will destroy them” (Deut. 7:24).
We will have troubles in this world. But Jesus’ words echo God’s promise of victory: “But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33). The Psalmist wrote, “…as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Ps. 103:12). God has taken care of the sin problem—it need no longer be a barrier between us if we receive the victory He has provided in Jesus Christ! When dealing with sin, we must remember the victory we have in Christ.
Moses issued a final warning to the people not to covet the silver and gold idols of the Canaanite nations (Deut. 7:25). He cautioned them, “Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction” (v.26). These desirable artifacts may have seemed harmless to the Israelites but God, in His wisdom, knew they would prove to be a fatal snare (Josh. 7).
We should never underestimate the dangers of sin or overestimate our ability to withstand temptation! As followers of Christ we no longer regard sin as a mere trifle or a subject of unconcern. So it would be foolish to open ourselves up to susceptibility, to enter into situations where the enemy can easily exploit our weaknesses. Proverbs says, “He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe” (Prov. 28:26). When dealing with sin, we must walk according to God’s wisdom.
God prepared Israel for the battles they would face and, because they persistently and faithfully heeded His commands, they ultimately defeated all seven nations (Josh. 12)! Jesus has already defeated our enemy; we need only partner with Him—in persistent, obedient faith—to reclaim the ground in our lives that is rightfully His! May we walk in God’s promise of victory (Rom. 8:37), and trust He will prepare us and place us in His perfect time!
Lord, sometimes Paul’s words ring all too true: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Rom. 7:15). In our battles with sin, may we remember there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1)! Help us to rely on Your strength and wisdom, respond faithfully, and follow Your word. May we remember our victory and standing in Christ, and His transformative presence in our lives. Grant us patience in the process of growth, and help us to recall Your past faithfulness in the midst of our current struggles. May we never underestimate the dangers of sin, but walk in wisdom, keeping to the path You’ve set before us. Thank You, Jesus, for becoming sin for us that we might share in Your righteousness! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reflection Questions
2. Scripture says we are chosen by God for sanctification through the Spirit and obedience to Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:2). How do dealing with sin and following God’s word go hand in hand?
3. Are there certain situations, people, or things you should avoid because they weaken you and expose you to temptation?
4. Ultimately, who dealt with our sin?