Resist Temptation and Turn a Snare into Freedom
“They were for the testing of Israel, to know whether Israel would obey the commandments of the Lord, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses. So the people of Israel lived among the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And their daughters they took to themselves for wives, and their own daughters they gave to their sons, and they served their gods” Judges 3: 4-6.
God Left Enemies in the Camp
God intentionally left certain Canaanite nations in the promise land He had given Israel to test them.
Unfortunately, these remaining peoples served as a snare, rather than the blessing God intended. In fact, it set the stage for the cycle of oppression and deliverance that characterized God’s people for generations to come.
To read our passage for context, click here.
God Has a Purpose for our Pain
God allowed Israel’s enemies (the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites etc.) to remain in their land to test and strengthen them. And, for us, in a figurative sense, they can represent temptation or sin.
And this, I believe is why He allows us to have weaknesses that we struggle with. He wants the testing of our faith to produce the endurance that will eventually produce maturity (James 1: 2-4).
But testing or temptation can also work the other way, as it did for Israel (v 6). If we give in to it rather than resist it, rather than gaining endurance and maturity, it will make us weaker, until eventually we are in bondage and a slave to that sin.
Blessing or Curse: We Choose When We Give in or Resist Temptation
Temptation is a blessing or a curse, depending on our response. It can be the vehicle that leads to maturity and wisdom (and the rewards, Proverbs 3: 13-18). Or it can be the instrument that leads to greater immaturity and foolishness (and the consequences), if we give in.
The reason “for those who love God all things work together for good. . . ” (Romans 8: 28) is because of our response. It’s not what we go through, but how we respond that determines whether that thing will be a blessing or a curse to us.
We must be tempted in order to be strengthened in weak areas. And that strength will eventually become perfect and suit us for the blessing of the promise land. But, of course, there’s always the risk that we won’t resist and obtain the blessing.
To read another post related to Resist Temptation and Turn a Snare into Freedom, see Resisting Temptation: The Easier Way to Suffer.