The smallest things can affect our relationship with God

"That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction."

- Joshua 7:12

The Israelites took and held on to things, objects, and representations that defiled their relationship with God.

These objects and representations took away and hurt the Israelites relationship with God because 1. God said not to take the objects, and 2. It showed for whatever reason they grabbed it, whether for financial or superstitious, meant that in someway or another they did not trust God. When we decide not to trust God, when we do what were not supposed to do, we affect or belief in God (and this translates to our faith in him, consequently affecting what we allow him to do in our lives).

Obedience to God is key, so we must be willing to ask God what is in our lives that he doesn't want there. Whether it's some type of thing, object, or representation. As God said, "I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction." Ask God what is interfering with your relationship with him (is it porn, drugs, a person perhaps, your job, another belief, a type of music, poster, or picture). Don't allow your relationship with God to be hindered or weakened in anyway.

Don't allow yourself to think that we can get away with this little thing, or that it's so small that God won't care, because he does. Look what happened to the Israelites. They went to conquer their enemies but lost. Even the littlest sin is still a sin. However, God is forgiving, just read on the same passage to see what happens next.

So let's be obedient to God. We have nothing of true value to lose and everything that is good to gain. It starts with trust and obedience. Remember, most of God's promises requires our obedience first. Truly live, and let the one and only true God be by your side this life and the next.