Apostle Allison Smith Conliff explores the biblical Book of Judges to warn believers about the dangers of spiritual and moral decay resulting from disobedience. The Apostle emphasizes that the Israelites suffered recurring failures because they ignored God’s instructions to remain separate from sinful influences and instead formed compromises with their enemies. To avoid these ancient pitfalls, the congregation is urged to practice self-introspection and maintain a life of fasting and prayer, particularly for their nation’s safety and leadership. Practical advice on vigilance and personal security is interwoven with spiritual exhortations to remain anchored in faith rather than following charismatic human leaders. Ultimately, the message serves as a call to unreserved commitment, encouraging worshippers to rid their lives of anything that does not align with divine truth.

Key Points:

Spiritual disobedience, as illustrated in the Book of Judges, begins when individuals or nations fail to follow God’s instructions "to a T" and instead choose to "do their own thing". This departure from divine guidance leads to a cycle of moral decay and the eventual withdrawal of divine protection.

Moral decay is often the result of compromising faith and making unauthorized alliances with influences God commanded to be removed. The Israelites’ failure to "utterly drive out" the inhabitants of Canaan as instructed led to a spiritual and moral spiral:

• Compromise and Alliances: Instead of removing the enemies of their faith, the people made alliances, paid tribute, and merged with them until "two became one". This lack of separation caused them to dishonor God by adopting the lifestyles of those around them.
• Idolatry: By allowing these influences to remain in their "space," the people were corrupted and fell into idolatry, choosing to serve the gods of fertility and rain, Baal and Ashtoreth, rather than the true and living God who had blessed them.
• Loss of Absolute Truth: Spiritual decay occurs when "everyone [has] their opinion of how they should do things" rather than maintaining divine order and respecting established spiritual authority. This subjectivity leads to a "spiraling down" of morality.
• Societal Consequences: The Apostle links this spiritual decline to a breakdown in society, characterized by violence, a lack of justice, and the victimization of the vulnerable, such as children and the elderly.

The loss of divine protection is a direct repercussion of forsaking God’s covenant. When people choose to "cut God off and embrace who God said to cut off," they effectively become "losers" of their own safety and destiny.

• Withdrawal of Divine Aid: Because the people did not obey His voice, God declared He would no longer drive out their enemies. Instead, those enemies became "thorns in [their] side" and their false gods became a "snare".
• Vulnerability to Spoilers: When the Lord's anger is provoked by disobedience, He may deliver people into the "hands of spoilers". Once the Israelites forsook the Lord, they "could not any longer stand before their enemies," as the victory they once enjoyed was tied to their relationship with God.
• Loss of Blessings and Helpers: Disobedience causes an individual to lose their salvation, blessings, and "destiny helpers". While God may have already won the victory, it can only be released into a person's life if they align themselves with His instructions and authority.
• Spiritual Death: Forsaking God leads to a state where one's spiritual life can die, making them susceptible to "doctrines that are seducing" and "of devils".

God’s judgment against sin is certain. To maintain protection and moral clarity, a believer must "anchor" themselves in the Word, rid their lives of things that do not belong, and "work out [their] salvation with fear and with trembling".

Rec. Date: 1st October, 2023