Kick Them Out

Most believers know that Joshua was one of the ten spies that scouted out the land of Canaan and came back with a good report about the land.  When the people finally went into Canaan, Joshua was their leader who was a man that had great faith that God would do what He said He would do.  When Joshua was old and stricken in years, leading the people faithfully, he gave the people a final message and part of that message was how good the Lord was to His people, fighting for them and giving them rest from their enemies.  Joshua also spoke about the judgment for worshipping other gods and idols.  

Then reminding the people of the blessings the Lord had so generously poured out upon them, Joshua said this to the people in Joshua 24:14-15, “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

This was not only a message for the Israelites at the time, but it is a timely message for the people of God in every generation.  We don’t think much about idol worship today, but it happens all the time and believers may be the worst offenders because they know better, or at least they should.  When many people think of idols, they may picture a man bowing down to a statue made of various materials, but idols come in all different forms, like rock stars or TV and movie actors.  It may be an object, like a car, boat, motorcycle or maybe a truck.  It can even be a set of weights or the involvement in many sports or your job, your money or someone in your family or even your friends.  It can be most anything, like drugs, cigarettes or even porn.  Anything you desire the most and depend on, trust in the most or the thing you cherish the most or think you cannot live without can be an idol.  In order to keep the Lord on the throne in your life, He needs to be number one.

I remember in times past there were three things that occupied much of my time; they were weights, nice cars and motorcycles, I felt I couldn’t get through the day without them.  I spent hours cleaning, washing and waxing motorcycles and cars plus riding around and showing them off.  Most of them shined so much you could look in the paint and comb your hair; it went far beyond just taking care of them, which we should all do.  As far as the weights were concerned, I was sort of obsessed, you might say, having to use them working out and feeling horrible if I missed a day, it was beyond normal activity.  When anything gets a hold on you like these things did me, it’s like having a monkey on your back that you can’t eradicate.

There was finally a time when I responded with repentance and the Lord set me free of these idols that I clung to so long, the things that had me bound.  I believe there are many people, even many that claim to be believers, that are addicted to various things and it is like having a monkey on their backs, being bound by them, and they need to be set free of idols and different things in their lives they are bound by.  Let me encourage you by telling you this truth; one of the reasons the Lord walked the earth was to set the captive free from idol worship and bondage to any kind of sin.

This idol worship went on in the New Testament also, it says this in Romans 1:20-25, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

Remember this, there are always consequences for sin and always correction but it would also be good to remember this from John 3:17, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”  I am talking about abundant life, not without its problems, but a victorious life.  

So it would be good to examine yourself and your lifestyle and, if you need to, yield to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and repent and change some things in your life, do it now so that you can live a victorious life.  If you are a believer and still struggle, not being able to get set free, continue to be faithful and be persistent in your prayer life and keep coming back with your petition night and day until the Lord sets you free, like the Judge did with the persistent widow giving her the petition she asked for in Luke 18: 1-8.  Even though the judge didn’t fear God or man, because she was so persistent, he granted her the petition.

Then the Lord said this in verses 6- 8, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Then when you have been set free from the idols and things that hold you in bondage, that you have allowed to take place in your life, give the Lord all the glory and praise.  God’s Word says, “Unless the Lord build the house ye labor in vain that build it.”  If you are an unbeliever and you sense the Spirit drawing you, repent and receive the Lord as your personal Lord and Savior, asking Him to come into your life and set you free of any sin and bondage you are involved in.  While doing this, take your time and make sure you pray through and let the Lord fill you with His peace, love and joy.  Something to think about!  May you have a blessed and super day!!