Read: Judges 2:1-3
“…I led you up from Egypt and brought you to the land of which I swore to your fathers; and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you. And you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed My voice. Why have you done this?”—Judges 2:1-2
If not firmly rooted in their faith and values, people, even societies, can be easily swayed by negative influences. So it’s no surprise that as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, God directed the Israelites to drive out the Canaanite inhabitants, a people deeply entrenched in idolatry. God warned that anything short of total expulsion and dissociation from the Canaanites would be a thorn in their side and a snare from which the children of Israel wouldn’t be easily freed.
Despite God’s warnings, Israel allowed the Canaanites to remain in the land and live amongst them. Like short-sighted landlords willing to rent to the first person who knocks on the door, Israel compromised on their standards and their faith, and found themselves in spiritual bondage to their own unsavory tenants. Israel’s decision to live with their enemies placed them under the influence of the very people God had enabled them to defeat, and left them entangled in idolatry for centuries to come.
Bad companions prompt bad habits. We should seek to keep the right company in order to maintain the right perspective.
God instructs us to shun certain influences or to complete certain tasks to avoid the impacts of disobedience, as well as reap the benefits of obedience. We’re commanded to avoid being bonded with non believers. We can’t make allegiance with sinful influences that beckon us to compromise our faith, and expect to uphold godly standards. We are to be the salt and light that impact and influence the world. When we allow the world to influence us instead of us influencing the world, we become salt without savor and a dimmed light that fails to illuminate.
The question we should regularly ask ourselves: Are we influencing the world for God, or allowing the world to influence us?
Lesson to Remember: If you aren’t firmly rooted in your faith, the world can influence you to compromise on your faith.
“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’”—1 Corinthians 15:33
Another great post. I especially like your line: “Like short-sighted landlords willing to rent to the first person who knocks on the door.” That’s right. We cannot do wrong and settle for less than what God commands.