Sunday, 27^th April 2025.

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

TOPIC: SHOW NO MERCY

THEME SCRIPTURE: “You must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy.” (Deuteronomy 7:2)

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. Why would a merciful God instruct His people to show no mercy when they arrive at the Promised Land?

God’s command to Israel was severe: Eradicate every Canaanite nation. Compromise would infect their worship (Deut 7:4). Yet Israel hesitated. They enslaved some Canaanites instead of destroying them—a decision that bred idolatry for generations (Judges 1:28).

Sin, like cancer, cannot be bargained with. Partial obedience is absolute disobedience.

In 1748, John Newton, a slave trader steeped in greed and brutality, encountered Christ. He didn’t merely “reduce” his sin—he quit the trade entirely, later leading the abolition movement. “I once was lost, but now I am found,” he wrote. Newton understood: True freedom demands annihilation of old patterns and lifestyles. Newton was a slave to greed and slave trading. To combat pride, he kept a sign in his home: “Remember, you were a slave trader.”  

Beloved, why must we show no mercy to sin?

It is because sin regrows: like Canaanites, hidden lusts rebuild strongholds. Don't give sin a chance. Treat sin as an enemy. Puritan John Owen warned, “Kill sin, or it will be killing you slowly.”  

Further, the grace of God empowers: God’s command includes His provision. You have what it takes to take dominion over the sins that so easily beset you. “The same power that conquered the grave lives in me,” wrote Charles Wesley.  

Lastly, obedience protects: mercy toward sin is cruelty to your soul. You want to manage sin? How dare you? To play with sin and to treat it as mere, is to endanger your soul. But your obedience to kill it is your safety net. Glory to God!

Precious one, are there some sins lurking in your cupboard? What should be the battle plan for total victory over sin?

First, name your enemies: list specific sins that bounce back from time to time in your life. In sincerity, acknowledge those sins that easily beset you (e.g., “scrolling lustfully”). Pray, acknowledging that these sins are lurking in your life. Receive His forgiveness and also His strength to conquer.

Further, destroy the triggers: delete apps, end toxic relationships, delete downloads, end certain conversations, etc. Do whatever it takes to sever sin’s access (Matthew 5:29-30) to your life.

Lastly, occupy the land: replace those hours with productive lifestyles. Print a scripture reading plan and read through the Bible the rest of the year. Memorize scriptures because you cannot have a pure life until you have a pure heart and mind.

Precious one, your Canaanites—bitterness, greed, pornography, fornication, anger, pride, fear—are already defeated (Colossians 2:15). Now act like it.

The land of freedom is yours. Walk in it.

God bless you more.

FURTHER READING: Colossians 2:1-15

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. Is there a sin in your life you are yet to conquer?

2. Don't you think you will be a better person than yourself if you conquer it?

PRAYER

Father, I’ve bargained with sin too long. I receive courage to storm its forts, not to negotiate. Where I’ve tolerated “small” compromises, awaken holy rage. I see you flooding me with resurrection power to tear down every idol. My life is declaring, from today going forward: No truce with hell, in Jesus' precious name. Hallelujah!

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Acts 27;Judges 4-5; Psalm 117