Once you come to the realization that you have dirt in your life that needs to be cleaned up, the next step is realizing that you cannot do it yourself. You must be delivered from the dirt. Titus 2:11-14 shows us that it is by grace that we are saved and that because we are saved we should desire to live a pure life. Notice that this reference shows us that Jesus came into the world to redeem us, because we cannot redeem ourselves (Galatians 1:3-4, 1 Peter 1:18-19).

Did you notice how long they stayed in bondage before seeking to be delivered? Read Judges 3:14-15 again. Eighteen years seems like an awfully long time to go without asking for deliverance now doesn’t it? When looking at someone else’s life this seems ridiculous, but how long have you tried to fix your own problems? Have you come to the realization yet that you need help?

One of the most difficult things for some people is to admit that they need help. All too many times we allow our pride to get in the way of receiving the help that we truly need. Pride is a very dangerous thing. The Bible says in Psalm 10:4 that Pride will keep you from seeking God. Furthermore, the Bible teaches that anything that we set up before God, or that we allow to keep us from God is an Idol, and we are commanded in 1 John 5:21to keep ourselves from idols. The book of Proverbs shows us five things that pride will cause:

1. Pride will lead to shame (Proverbs 11:2)

2. Pride brings conflict into your life (Proverbs 13:10) internal, and external

3. Pride causes us to do and say foolish things (Proverbs 14:3)

4. Pride will cause you to fall (Proverbs 16:18)

5. Pride will bring you down (Proverbs 29:23)

Don’t let pride get in your way of being delivered from the dirt that is in your life. Isaiah 1:5 asks why would you want to be stricken? This is a good question if you think about it. Why do we continue to do the same things getting the same responses, but expecting different outcomes? That is the definition of insanity. The Lord is willing to deliver you, and clean you up, but you have to ask for and accept the help. What is keeping you from asking God to deliver you from the dirt in your past?Don’t wait for eighteen more years before you decide to submit to God; Submit today, and you will be glad that you did.

In the next lesson, we will be looking at the fact that after being delivered, you still have a part to do.

Memory Verse 1 John 2:16