DEVOTED TO GOD

…they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah. —Judges 1:17

After Judah and Simeon “utterly destroyed” Zephath, they renamed it “Hormah.” Hormah has two meanings: (1) “utter destruction,” (2) “devoted to God.” These two meanings compliment each other. God commanded Israel to “utterly destroy” their enemies (cf. Dt. 7:2; Num. 21:2). As Israel obeyed God’s command to “utterly destroy” the Canaanites, they were demonstrating their devotion to God.

Likewise, when God commands us to do something, we show our devotion to Him by being obedient (in tithing; witnessing; church attendance; prayer; holy living; Bible study).

The Canaanites represented “undefeated sin”—Sins still entrenched in the life of the believer. As long as those “Canaanites” (sins) remain in your life, they are going to keep you from being “devoted to God.” They need to be “utterly destroyed” according to Colossians 3:5—Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: Paul wrote, “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof” (Rom. 6:12).

“Utterly destroy” the “Canaanites” in your life so you can be devoted to God. When God reveals a “Canaanite” in your life, OFF WITH HIS HEAD!