Don't Be Deceived
Joshua 9
There is a theme in this story that applies to every human life: Deception
Ephesians 6:12 says, “we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places”
In order to understand how we can be deceived by the Evil one we need to take a note from Joshua and learn from his experience.
1. Be aware of Evil’s schemes
Although the Devil can’t steal your soul, or take your eternal life, he can ruin your God story so you have a more difficult time showing and sharing Jesus with others, which could mean someone else’s eternal salvation even if it’s not yours.
Here are some Scriptures that share how Satan works and in what areas of your life you should be aware of temptation.
Be aware of temptation in marriage:
1 Corinthians 7:5 - Do not deprive each other of intimacy, unless you both agree to refrain for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Be aware of temptation in our conflicts: (why we shouldn’t hold grudges)
2 Corinthians 2:10-11 - And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, 11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.
Be aware of temptation in the Church:
2 Corinthians 11:4; 13-15 - You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.
Be aware of temptation when we’re angry:
Ephesians 4:27 - for anger gives a foothold to the devil
Be aware of why Elders and Deacons must be Spiritually mature:
1 Timothy 3:6-9 - An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.[d] 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap. In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. 9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.
Be aware of temptation from false teachers:
1 Timothy 4:1-5; 12-13 - Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.[a] They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. 4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 5 For we know it is made acceptable[b]by the word of God and prayer. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.
Be aware of the temptation to shut up about your relationship with Jesus:
2 Corinthians 4:4 - Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
Satan deceives us through our thoughts:
2 Corinthians 11:3 - But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ
Matthew 5:28 - But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Satan deceives us through our relationships –
With God – Genesis 3:1-6 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”“Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” And The woman was convinced.
With loved ones – Genesis 3:6-13 - he saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man[a] and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees. 9 Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” “Who told you that you were naked?” the LORD God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” Then the LORD God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.”
Satan deceives us through Truth –
Matthew 4:5-7 –Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’[c]” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’[d]”
The Evil one knows Scripture and as we see in this example he will use it. We’ve read scripture this morning that says he knows how to deceive church leaders.
If Satan were going to walk in here today, he wouldn’t bring hell with him. As the Scripture says, “He masquerades as an angel of light.” He is the voice in your head that says, “be more aware of what others think of you as you worship than who it is you are worshipping.” “just stay in your seat when it comes to your response to Christ, you’ll have another day.” “you’re a good person don’t worry about all that judgement stuff” “who does the preacher think he is telling you what to do, don’t listen to him” Satan steals our urgency to share Jesus with others around us.
2. PRAY
Joshua 9:14 – They did not consult the Lord
Joshua and the Israel leadership failed to ask God if they should make peace with Gibeon. They knew better. Especially Joshua. He consulted the Lord before making any major decision before this, but, this one time, he didn’t and he made a decision that was disobedient.
Prayer is the foundation upon which every major decision must be based.
Psalm 145:18-19 –The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.
He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart
James 5:16 - Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
In this story Joshua’s leadership didn’t provide wonderful results, his decision led to disobedience.
3. Learn from your mistakes
The Gibeonites even though they deceived Joshua in order to save themselves became important allies to the Israelite people. One of David’s mighty men was a Gibeonite, the Gibeonites were instrumental in helping Nehemiah rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, even when many Israelites turned to false gods, the Gibeonites remained faithful servants to God, the tabernacle even resided in Gibeon for awhile as a place of worship during the time of David.
I’ve heard that the church is a hospital for sinners, not a country club for the saved.
Jesus says, I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.’ Luke 5:32
Romans 6:16-18 - Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.
Be aware of how Evil is scheming in your life. Pray for strength, wisdom, and for the Lord’s leading in your major decisions. Learn from your mistakes and offer grace and forgiveness to others.
