Judges 1

And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites under tribute, but did not completely drive them out. (Judges 1:28)

I'm just thinking... sometimes we think that we are strong enough, and so we slacken in our fight against Satan. We feel that we are able to stand fast against any sort of temptations, and so we see no need to completely remove the root of the devil in our lives. In essence, we allow Satan to dwell in our midst, because we feel that he is no threat to us. We believe that we will be able to stand firm in our faith.

Most of the time, however, we know that that is not true. Remember that the devil is like a prowling lion waiting to devour its prey. At times when it seemed like he doesn't threaten us, it isn't really so; rather, he is stalling time, to catch us when we least expect it, pouncing on us as a final blow.

Even little things like allowing murmurings and complaints to form in your heart, or the occasional R21 films.... don't think that they don't harm you. Allowing their co-presence as you seek to live a life for God is as good as a battle lost. As you allow them to thrive, these things will eventually sprout and flourish and bear fruits. Rotten fruits, that do not help you in your spiritual growth.

Before such harvest, therefore, let us learn to completely drive the Canaanites out right from the start!