Landmines in a Promised Land - Holy Living in a Hostile World

Like God’s “Promised Landers,” we live in a time and place when we are surrounded by His goodness. At the same time, surrounded by a culture full of garbage.

Our boat is in the water. The challenge is keeping the water out of the boat!

A vivid description of our day – and our divine assignment . . . Philippians 2:15, 16a

As the children of God, we are here to be a light in the night. Living like we are who God says we are! Deuteronomy 14:1a, 2

Holy living in a hostile world is a challenge that can only be met by living heaven’s victory plan – revealed in Deuteronomy in just four words . . .

Deut. 28:1, 2 . . . 28:12-14

Carefully follow. Fully obey.

Some form of “carefully” appears 59 times in Deuteronomy! 431 times in the Old Testament!

“Shamar” - Protect. Defend. Guard. Keep watch. Root: “Hedge with thorns”

Deut. 26:16

Casual faith in a corrupt and compelling culture = crash!

What’s at stake in our wide-awake vigilance?

• Our battles

• Our material welfare

• Our children

• God’s blessing

Deut. 11:22, 23 Deut. 15:4-6 Deut. 32:45-47 Deut. 7:11-14a

It won’t be the water . . . or the walls . . . or the wars that will cost us the “Promised Land.” It will be winsome wickedness.

BOLD CHOICE # 3 - I WILL RESIST THE DRIFT.

3 Ways to “Carefully Follow” in a Moral Minefield

1. STOPANYDRIFT.

• Drift: “A gradual deviation from an original course”

Our enemy wins, not by explosion, but erosion! James 2:15

• The seductive magnets

Culture Deut. 4:19, 20

Their priorities. Their “idols.” Psalm 139:23, 24 Politics. Entertainment.

Idol = competition for your atenttion and your heart

Compromise

Coldness

Comfort

Deut. 7:3, 4 Mathew 24:14

Deut. 8:10-14; 17-18 Proverbs 4:23!

2. REMEMBERTHEREASONSFORVIGILANCE.

Those watching

Forgetting

Remaining blessable

Deut. 4:5-8; 6:1-3

Deut. 4:9, 10 Deut. 6:24, 25

3. STICKWITHTHERECIPEFORVICTORY.

Remember who you are. Deut. 26:18

Accept no compromise. Deut. 12:2-4

Remember where you’ve come from. Deut. 4:20; 6:20-23

Internalize God’s Word. Deut. 11:18 Deut. 17:18, 19 Equips you to see what God sees.

Ultimately, our battle is not possessing Canaan – it’s Canaan possessing us!

“Carefully follow . . . fully obey!” Deut. 6:3, 5

Obeying – not out of compliance...or legalism...or performance. But just because you love the Lord your God!