Control vs. Conquer

Joshua 17:13
And it happened, when the children of Israel grew strong, that they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out.

Joshua 3:10
This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites.

Numbers 33:51, 52, 55
"Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, 52 drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places.
55 " 'But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live.


God promised to drive out and destroy all the inhabitants of the promised land for Israel (Josh 3:10). He also warned them what would happen if they did not follow through and utterly destroy them (Num 33:51-55). And yet, Israel failed to drive out all the inhabitants of the land on at least three occasions in Joshua alone. These tribes chose to attempt to control the remaining sin rather than conquer it completely. When we think we can let sin and temptation remain in our lives instead of removing them completely we open ourselves up to certain harassment and failure. Sin is no slave and temptation no servant - these are only cruel masters. This is why Jesus said to gouge out and eye and cut off a hand that causes sin (Matt. 5:29-30). We cannot afford to let sin and temptation remain in our land or our lives.
So where have I made space for sin? Where have I made concessions for temptation? Where am I attempting control rather than complete conquest?

Father - remove the sin and temptation from my life. Give me the courage to completely remove these masters from my home and my mind and my relationships. Let my life be pure and honor You completely. Amen.