Judges 3:9

But the Israelites cried out to the Lord (for help); the Lord raised up a man to rescue the people of Israel, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. 

The people of Israel will cry out to the Lord, and He raises up help for them. They repented of their sins and, in seeing the error of their ways, changed. What in our lives do we need to change/repent from? Are we heading a direction that only the Lord can motivate us away from? Do we value the peace of God in our lives enough to hold tightly unto His word?

Judges 3:4 and 7

They were (allowed to remain) for the testing of Israel, to determine whether Israel would listen and obey the commandments of the Lord, which He had commanded their fathers (ancestors) through Moses.  And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth. 

It comes down to faithfulness to Jesus Christ and His call, and to faithfulness to God. Are we willing to turn away from the love that saved us through the sacrifice on the cross to follow other gods? Have we settled in our minds how vital our salvation is for our eternity? And have we determined in our minds to remain faithful?

Judges 2:11-12

Then the Israelites did evil in the sight of the Lord and worshiped and served Baals, and they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt. They followed other gods from the gods of the people who were around them, and they bowed down to them, and offended and provoked the Lord to anger. 

A human being can make many justifications for sin, and a justification/excuse does not make the sin ok. We are to keep our eyes singularly focused on Jesus and the word. A mind renewed is stronger against sin than one allowed to wander wherever it wants to go. The word fills in and removes the doubt and excuses created by sin. 

Judges 2:2-3

And as for you, you shall not make a covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars. But you have not obeyed Me; what is this you have done? So I also said, ‘I will not drive your enemies out before you; but they will be like thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.’

When sin is tolerated, it will find a way to influence our lives. It becomes normalized and acceptable the longer it is tolerated. When we love people, we don’t support their sinful nature. Sin thrives when it is supported, not recognized as sin, and does not change. Jesus has put before us Godly behavior, and that is how we are to live our lives. 

Judges 1:27

But (the tribe of) Menasseh did not take possession of Beth-shean and its villages, or Taanach and its villages, or the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, or the inhabitants of Ibleam and its villages, or the inhabitants of Megido and its villages; so the Canaanites remained in the land.

We have been given the authority to occupy our land, homes, and personal situation. God gave the Israelites the authority to occupy the land and remove the sinful influences from among them. Jesus came to do the same thing and gave us authority to rout evil influences, strongholds, oppression, and sickness in our lives. Stand on the word and speak to the mountain.

Isaiah 57:1-2

The righteous man perishes (at the hand of evil), and no one takes it to heart; faithful and devout men are taken away, while no one understands that the righteous person is taken away (to be spared) from disaster and evil. He enters into peace (through death) they rest in their beds, each one who walked uprightly.

God loves those who walk righteously before Him. He also rewards and protects those who keep His commandments.  God will spare those He loves from disaster and evil, so they can find peace with Him in heaven. Our lives here on earth are protected by God when we have right standing before Him. 

Matthew 7:15-16

Beware of the false prophets, (teachers) who come to you dressed as sheep but inwardly are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them (that is by their contrived doctrine and self-focus). Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?

We are to have strong bible knowledge to understand when someone is teaching false doctrine. We are to test what we hear and make sure it lines up with the word of God. God wants to keep us on the clear path to Him.  The devil will twist scripture to deceive and discourage us away from God. 

Matthew 7:7

Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking it will be opened.  

We must be persistent in prayer and faith, being assured that God has heard our prayer and is sending an answer. Jesus said our persistence will be rewarded if we only believe and ask. Don’t get discouraged or give up because when we seek, we will find, and when we knock, it will be opened.

Matthew 6:14-15

For if you forgive others their trespasses (their reckless and willful sins), your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others (nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God) then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.

The devil uses offense for the sinner or the saint to derail a connection to God. If we become blinded by offense and our feelings, we lock our focus on our minds, wills, and emotions, leaving God out of our direction. It becomes a spiral of self, and love gets choked out when we focus on self. Forgiveness is vital for us to remain in close contact with God. God is unable to reach the heart which is blocked by unforgiveness.

Matthew 5:44-45

But I say to you, love (that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for) your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may (show yourselves to) be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are righteous and the unrighteous (the unrepentant, and those who oppose Him).

Christians lacking in bible knowledge of belief and behavior have tarnished the true meaning and example of the Christian faith. As Christians, we are to model Jesus and show His values and character. We cannot act like the world and its sin nature and expect our faith to be an improvement for their lives. It is only by increasing our Love for others and our knowledge of God that we can stand as examples of faith.