WARNING AGAINST BAD INFLUENCES

God told the Israelites to destroy all the people in the promised land as they entered and occupied it through the leadership of Joshua. However, they failed to obey God, and instead of destroying the people of the land, they mingled with them. As a result, they began to live like the people in the land. Worshipping different idols and leading them to do things that are detestable to God. Psalm 106:34-39 says, "Israel failed to destroy the nations in the land, as the Lord had commanded them. Instead, they mingled among the pagans and adopted their evil customs. They worshiped their idols, which led to their downfall. They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters. By sacrificing them to the idols of Canaan, they polluted the land with murder. They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the Lord's sight." If the Israelites had listened to God to destroy the people of the land, they could have saved themselves from falling to heinous sins. However, they chose not to listen to God's command; as a result, they ended up being affected by the sins of the people.

The influence of sin in our lives often comes in the ways of this world. If we are not walking with God and listening to His commandments, we are in danger of being influenced by the ways of this world. For example, different social media, such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc., can have a negative impact on our spiritual life if we are not careful about what we are entertaining ourselves with. If we are not careful, sin can easily creep into our lives without even noticing it. So, the best way to protect ourselves from the influence of sin is to walk with God every day. We need to pray and seek God's protection for our minds to be alert in rejecting sin. My wife, Linda, rebuked me one day when I was watching a funny YouTube video that was about a person who was being made fun of. Linda asked me right away as I was laughing. She asked, "Do you think God would laugh at this joke?" I was so convicted that I stopped watching those shows. Although it was funny to watch, it was not funny to God because it was about putting somebody down to be laughed at. 

God wanted Israel to destroy the people in the land to protect them from their influences, and God is encouraging us today to get rid of anything that can influence us to sin. If we are struggling with this issue, let us ask God for discernment, strength, courage, and wisdom to get rid of any bad influences in our lives. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Is there anything that I allowed myself to get into that is a source of sin in my life? If there is, what is it? What do you think God wants me to do about it? What happens when I don't listen to God?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, please protect my mind from any sinful influence that comes my way today. I want to walk in your way, for that is the only way that I can have peace and security in you. Please give me discernment, willingness, and the courage to reject any bad influences in my life. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.