Daily Devotional
"21 And Joshua came at that time and cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel. Joshua devoted them to destruction with their cities. 22 There was none of the Anakim left in the land of the people of Israel. Only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod did some remain."
Joshua 11:21-22 and Romans 6:1-14
Notice that some Anakites remained, but only “in Gaza and Gath and Ashdod”—outside the covenant land boundaries. This detail might seem insignificant, but it carries a powerful principle: God’s people cannot accept partial victory over their enemies.
Joshua didn’t negotiate with giants. He didn’t say, “Well, we got most of them; that’s good enough.” Complete obedience demanded complete conquest. Partial victories in spiritual warfare are insufficient.
Many Christians try to live with one foot in the kingdom and one foot in the world. We want to follow Jesus while holding onto pet sins. We negotiate with God: “I’ll give up this, but let me keep that.” But spiritual warfare doesn’t work that way.
The sin that remains unconquered in your life will eventually conquer territory in your life. The giants you leave alive will multiply. The compromise you accept today becomes the stronghold that defeats you tomorrow. Complete victory requires complete surrender.
Today's Challenge
Are you trying to negotiate with God about any areas of your life? What sins are you holding onto while trying to follow Jesus? How might partial surrender be preventing you from experiencing complete victory in your spiritual life?
Prayer
Father, I confess that I've been trying to negotiate with You instead of surrendering completely. I want to follow Jesus while holding onto things You've called me to abandon. Help me to stop accepting partial victory over sin in my life. I surrender completely to You....not just the parts I'm comfortable giving up, but everything. Give me the courage to pursue complete conquest over sin through the power of Christ. Amen.
