INSTIGATORS
Today's reading:  Judges 1-6

"God's angel went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, I brought you out of Egypt;  I led you to the land that I promised to your fathers; and I said, I'll never break my covenant with you--never!  And you're never to make a covenant with the people who live in this land.  Tear down their altars!  But you haven't obeyed me!  What's this you're doing?  So now I'm telling you that I won't drive them out before you.  They'll trip you up and their gods will become a trap."  Judges 2:1-3 MSG

The Israelites moved in.  They staked their tents in the Promised Land.  They were gung-ho about taking over control of their new territory.  They were willing to fight for what God had laid in their laps.

Until they met some of the natives.  Some of them, I'm sure, were really nice people.

Until they took note of some of the things they were doing, interesting things.

Until they decided that not everything and not everyone in this new land was bad.  Not godly, but bad.

It may have started with inviting a new neighbor over for supper.  It may have led to allowing their kids to play with some of the pagan kids.  It may have been a simple invitation to one of their temple services.

However it started, the Israelites chose not to get rid of all of the inhabitants of Canaan.  They chose to tolerate some of them.  They chose to include some of them.  They chose to be influenced by some of  them.

These same 'nice' people led them into sin and away from God.

Was it worth it? 

Before you answer, take inventory of what you're allowing in your own life.  What sin instigators are you allowing to take up residence in your head, heart and home?