But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.
Numbers 33:55-56

As I was thinking about these verses I was reminded of Colossians 3:5, where the Apostle said, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry…”  The word “Mortify” means “to put to death,” and that is what a Christian is to do. Put the evil desires of the flesh to death.

In our text for today we have a warning from the LORD God through Moses, His faithful servant to drive out the inhabitants of the land. Now, remember God had promised this land, the land of Canaan to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For four hundred plus years the children of Israel who is Jacob, were held captive as slaves to the Egyptians. Mean while the Canaanites were growing more and more vile and wicked refusing the love, mercy, and grace of the one true  God who created the heavens and the earth, and everything therein.

The children of Israel are nearing the time of going into this land that flowed with milk and honey.  I can understand why some people think God is cruel, mean, and offensive. He is not though. He tells  His people to cleanse the land. God is holy, and cannot look upon iniquity, and He was going to bless Israel for their obedience in purifying His land.

Now the comparison of Colossians 3:5; as Christians we are to die daily to self, and selfish interest. The Apostle even said, “I am crucified with Christ… “Galatians 2:20), and for the Christian that means we were as well if we are in Christ Jesus. Though we are Christians we still must fight the enemy. Our enemy is not people. Our enemy is the devil, and our own sin within. So the Christian life is a battle.

We are to drive out these lustful, selfish, covetous, rowdy desires, so that we might be better witnesses of Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Even though we are saved from the penalty of sin, in our continued fighting against sin and evil within – which is our sanctification – we are being saved from the power of sin; and one day, when Jesus comes again we will be saved from the presence of sin – which is our glorification with Christ.

As long as we are living in this world, let us ever be faithful to drive out the enemy, and not let any of it remain within us.