Originally posted at: https://way-truth-life.ca/2023/02/21/giants-yet-to-be-slayed/
As born-again believers in Christ, Jesus has given us a Promised Land, and in it is milk, honey, and luscious fruits. We don’t automatically get this land, though it is ours for the taking. The old land, where the giants have taken occupation must be extinguished for us to fully occupy. Our folly is when we live our lives according to the giants allowing them to continue rather than seeking what is rightfully ours through the Word of Christ Jesus.
The Kingdom of God is our ‘Promised Land’ Everything it contains is found in Jesus Christ. Our task is to go out and discover this land for ourselves and experience the power of the Lord and His Gospel. The biblical description and account of the Promised Land gives us a visual of what the children of Israel encountered. Though what they experienced were literal giants, we can still learn from them if we realize how we too have spiritual giants that we must deal with. We know that in the Lord’s Kingdom, He reigns – not the giants. Our task is to spy out our land, looking to slay the giants that have occupied territories in our lives. What brings joy to the Lord is our faith and ‘great is your faith!’ are the words we want to hear our Lord say to us. The only way is to take our faith and eyes off of the giants and place them on the Lord. The children of Israel did not do this when thy spied out the land:
But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” Numbers 13:31-33.
They looked at the scene through themselves and their capabilities. They looked at what the giants were capable of and the power they had. We often resign ourselves to what seems hopeless based on ourselves and our own capabilities. When looking to our flesh and self-will and this will only prove futile and defeat!
Caleb and Joshua on the other hand, saw only the excitement of victory because they had the right perspective. Unless we have the right perspective, seeing the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has won for us in the work of the Cross we cannot ever expect to live victorious Christian lives. Ephes 1:3-23, Col 1:0-14.
The meaning of giants in our lives can range from old habits, mindsets, and addictions. They can be things that have happened to us that are what we base our lives and perspectives upon. They can be difficult people in our lives. Giants can also be hatred, bitterness, self-pity and so much more. Only the Lord knows what lies in our hearts.
As the Children of the Lord, we are to go out and spy our land searching for what needs to be extinguished. We do this in reliance upon the Holy Spirit and through the lens of the Word of God, to show us what we must slay in our hearts. As we go on with Jesus, He also reveals all that our Land contains in its fullness. When we maintain faith in the Lord, we are filled with excitement in knowing He has already won!
Here are a few noteworthy things to know regarding battling giants:
- Forgiveness is something that we must seek always and apply daily – something giants hate to be around and a deterrent for their re-entry. Not only to extend it to others but to remind ourselves we are forgiven too.
- Letting the Word of God sink into our minds and hearts is also absolutely necessary so we KNOW who is greater and what is His will for us.
- We apply the blood of Jesus to each giant we encounter, but not flippantly like a magic wand. As we bring it into the light intending to be rid of it – we receive the cleansing of it. 1 John 1:7.
The more land we apprehend, the greater we give glory to the Lord – for all to see.
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” Numbers 14:6-9
