Destroy/Destruction

<<annihilate, demolish>>

The Israelites, when entering Canaan, were to drive out or kill the inhabitants and destroy all their idols so they would not learn and adopt their evil ways which would become a snare (Deut 7:1-5, 12:30, 20:16-18, 23:12,13). However, they didn’t follow God’s direction fully, choosing instead to compromise, and embrace the heathen ways of life causing serious problems for them (Num 33:50-56).

When God speaks clearly and specifically obedience must be the priority. Destroy whatever possessions hold you in bondage to sin – books, DVD’s, souvenirs or artifacts (Act 19:19). An idol is anything that takes God’s rightful place in your life. The correct response to sin is to completely get rid of it from your life and wholeheartedly follow

Sin in our lives must be totally destroyed or it will destroy us

Jesus. We are to put to death the old nature and put on Christ (Rom 6:7,8, 13:14; Col 3:5-10). The sin we allow to dominate our lives will ultimately result in our downfall. Pride leads to destruction too (Prov 16:18).

The devil's goal is to “Steal, kill and destroy but Jesus came to give life” and demolished Satan's power (Jn 10:10; 1 Jn 3:8). Christ has made the provision for all believers to be free of his destructive influence so don’t get entangled again with sin (Jn 8:32,36; Gal 5:1). Satan can wreck lives by accidents, suicide or sickness, from outside influences of drugs, violence and perverted sex or inwardly by bitterness, jealously and un-forgiveness. The aim of evil is to destroy and make ineffective, while the motive of good is to build up, strengthening people, relationships and society.

If we make unwise choices and are not walking uprightly, we come out from under the protective covering of God’s grace. Satan may attack our vulnerability and either destroy us physically or at least render us ineffective in our witness for Christ. These evil onslaughts can either be dramatic and sudden, such as accidents, or subtle, where our

Don’t allow Satan to take you out of the spiritual race

love and devotion for Christ is gradually turned aside. In the garden of Eden Satan’s aim was to destroy the relationship between God and humanity. The flow-on effect of sin’s destructive power affected the natural world too.

God said of the Israelites, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hos 4:6). In fact not only did they simply lack the knowledge of God's laws; they ignored and actively rejected them.

It is much easier and quicker to destroy than it is to build. This is particularly true in the areas of trust and character, where in a moment, through one silly event, what has taken years to build can be forever shattered. Unless our lives are firmly grounded on a proper foundation of obeying the Word of God and applying its teachings to each area of life we leave ourselves vulnerable to the devastating personal storms of life (Mt 7:24-27). A few verses earlier He said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it" (Mt 7:13,14).

Am I building up my faith and character or destroying myself by unwholesome habits, un-forgiveness and negative self-talk? Do I encourage and assist in the spiritual development and support of others or am I involved in the destructive demolition of those made in God’s image by wrong attitudes and negative thoughts often expressed in criticism?

As we face possible persecution, listen to the words of Jesus who said, although evil men can destroy our physical body, don't fear them, rather fear only God who can destroy both body and soul in hell (Mt 10:28).

Everlasting destruction in hell is the lot of those who continually refuse God (2 Thes 1:9). The whole world will ultimately be destroyed and replaced with a new heaven and earth (Mt 24:35; 2 Pet 3:10-12; Rev 21:1).