The “Ites” That Bite – Introduction

The Enemies We Tolerate. The Battles We Never Finished.

📖 Suggested Reading:

Deuteronomy 7:1–6; Joshua 1:1–9; Judges 1:27–36

These passages describe the seven nations Israel was told to completely drive out—and what happened when they didn’t. The spiritual compromise that followed became generational bondage.

They were supposed to be gone. God had said so—clearly, repeatedly, and urgently. But when the dust settled and the land was theirs, Israel stopped short. They settled down while the enemy settled in. And what began as “just a few survivors” soon became thorns in their sides and traps at their feet. 

These were the “-ites”—Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Jebusites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Girgashites. Each of these ancient nations once occupied the Promised Land, and each carried with it a distinct cultural or spiritual corruption. But Israel, rather than drive them out as God commanded, tolerated them, negotiated with them, or simply learned to live with them. In fact, they believed they had them under control. They will be our servants, They’re no threat to us. We can use them for good, but as you will see this is a bad idea. Let me remind us, partial obedience is disobedience. 

Before long, the Israelites weren’t just living among the “-ites.” They were becoming like them.

⚠️ ITES: A Spiritual Pattern We Still Follow

The “ites” weren’t just ancient people groups. They represent the same pattern of sin that bites believers today. In fact, we can use their name as a powerful acronym:

ITES – Influence. Tempt. Entangle. Sin.

• Influence: A tolerated idea, habit, or relationship that seems harmless at first.
• Tempt: That influence begins to pull your heart away from full obedience.
• Entangle: Now it’s a pattern—a stronghold—a snare.
• Sin: The end result. What once seemed small has now taken root.

This is the same spiral warned about in James 1:14–15:

“Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 1:14–15, ESV)

This series exposes the ITES that still haunt our lives—the sins we never fully dealt with, the attitudes we justified, the influences we underestimated.

📜 What This Series Will Cover

Each post will focus on one of these ancient enemies of Israel, uncovering:

• The meaning of their name
• The dominant trait they represented
• The spiritual parallel in the lives of believers today
• Where we see the ITES pattern at work (Influence → Tempt → Entangle → Sin)
• A biblical call to action to finally drive them out

There will be plenty of Scripture, some piercing self-reflection, and just enough humor to remind us that sometimes, we’re the ones giving the enemy a spare bedroom and pretending it’s fine.

🚨 The Danger of Tolerated Sin

One of the great tragedies of Israel’s story is how close they came to full obedience—and how deadly their compromises became. God had promised not only victory but inheritance, blessing, and peace. But instead of sweeping out the enemy, they swept the issue under the rug. The result?

“But you have not obeyed my voice. What is this you have done? So now I say, I will not drive them out before you…” (Judges 2:2–3, ESV)

They didn’t lose the land, but they lost the life God intended for them in it.

That’s what happens when the ITES go unchecked. The bite isn’t just pain—it’s paralysis. Over time, we stop growing, stop hoping, stop obeying boldly. We settle in a place of survival when God called us to victory.

🪓 The “Ites” We’ll Meet

• Canaanites – The Bite of Compromise (Greed, worldliness)
• Hittites – The Bite of Fear (Anxiety, distrust)
• Amorites – The Bite of Pride (Boasting, ego)
• Perizzites – The Bite of Carelessness (Lack of boundaries)
• Hivites – The Bite of Deception (Spiritual casualness)
• Jebusites – The Bite of Defeat (Discouragement, oppression)
• Girgashites – The Bite of the Flesh (Carnality)

Each post will reveal how the ITES still sneak into the modern Christian life—and how to drive them out with truth, prayer, and renewed spiritual vigilance.

🎯 Final Charge

This series isn’t about guilt—it’s about war. Holy war. A grace-driven, Spirit-empowered commitment to finish what God started in you. Yes, Jesus has already won the decisive victory. But He still calls you to clear out the ground He gave you.

So ready your heart. Sharpen your sword. And let’s go bite back at the “ites” that have been biting you.

Next up: Canaanites – The Bite of Compromise