Are you conquering your land? Or are you co-existing with the land’s “inhabitants”?
This has been very strongly impressed on me for the past couple of weeks.
When all of us entered the Fire ministry, God helped us win the initial battle through His servants, such as Bishop Kim and us, your leaders.
The overall conquest of Canaan under Joshua’s leadership defeated key kings and cities. The land was brought under control, although some inhabitants remained. But because of the initial conquest, the remaining inhabitants lost their courage and grew weaker.
Now, it was each tribe’s job to destroy the remaining ones completely. Joshua or Caleb will not conquer for them. Bishop, and we cannot conquer for you guys; you need to conquer your own land and possess all the spiritual and physical blessings.
After the initial conquering, Joshua divided the land among the tribes as their inheritance. The tribes must expel the remaining peoples from their allotted land.
The tribes came and complained to Joshua, but basically Joshua told them, “Land has been given to you as yours, YOU go kill all the inhabitants and conquer and possess it!”
But what did they do instead? They co-existed with the land’s inhabitants. It was God’s COMMAND to destroy them COMPLETELY. It was to avoid idolatry and corruption, and to fall away eventually.
Their partial obedience left their problem as a snare later, and we all know what happened at the end.
What have you not killed yet?
Your anger problem? Your addictions? Greed, jealousy, envy, coveting, disobedience, your idols such as money, family members, yourself, your possessions, stubbornness, competition, comparing laziness, wanting to be served, disrespecting, pride, and more.
The Israelite tribes considered the remaining inhabitants “manageable,” so they did not see it as a big deal.
BE CAREFUL HOW YOU THINK. The stories in the Bible are warning us not to make the same mistakes. If you think you can still be fine even if you don’t completely kill your “inhabitants.” You are going towards the same path that those people went.
Senior Pastor Yoojin Kim
Additional Comments:
I have told you many times. I am not your savior. We will help initiate, lead, and create momentum, but we cannot change your diapers until you are an old person. You have to eventually find your own jobs, careers, learn to manage money, raise your own kids, pay your own debt and bills, discipline your own children, help make their decisions, and not always wait for us, watch your own health and diet, pray without being told, read without being told, etc., etc., etc.
If you are afraid to make your own decisions, learn to make mistakes and learn, afraid to war, afraid to battle, afraid to be courageous, afraid to take care of your own business, then you will accept, manage, and delude yourself to live in your sin.
If not, then what will happen?
Senior Pastor Steve Kim