Reasons for falling for the title deceit
Contents Bible: Joshua 9:3-15
Title: The Deception of the Residents of Gibeon
The Israelites were deceived by the Gibeonites of the Hivites and entered into a peace treaty that was contrary to God's will. Why did Joshua and Israel make the mistake of signing a peace treaty with Gibeon?
first. Because he was spiritually conceited.
The Gibeonites spoke words that raised the pride of the Israelites. After hearing about what God had done for the people of Israel from Egypt and the powers He had done to the Amorites before they crossed the Jordan River, all the elders of our country thought that the way to make peace with Israel and to make peace with them was the blessed way to survive. They said they sent them here. Hearing this, Joshua and the Israelites must have been happy. You should feel a stretch in your shoulders.
The problem, however, is that when they elevate them, praise them, and applaud them for doing a good job, nothing is visible. They lost their discernment and easily compromised with them.
There are compliments that build up people in the world we live in. For those who are discouraged and desperate, or for children who are growing up, praise is an important educational method. He emphasizes the importance of praise, saying that praise makes even whales dance.
But sometimes there are compliments that make us fall. Because beautiful and good words are not necessarily reliable. Rather, people use fancy words to hide lies. The devil whispers.
'This is good enough! That's enough! I can pray a little less now, where in our church is there someone who prays a lot like you? You are the best!'
But you should know that those words can make me fall. So, the saints should always be careful. If you think of it as a line, you are screwed.
This is the secret that made Israel a prosperous nation. You have to humbly consider your place in the place where you are applauded, praised, and welcomed.
David suffered hardship because of his transgression, but he was able to recover soon because he did not forget God, who is always greater than him. Every time he wins, the words that come out of his mouth are "I was a shepherd." His confession that God had made the shepherd boy king over Israel made him live a life of humility before God. As the Apostle Paul said, “I am who I am by the grace of the Lord,” we believe that we must be humble, humble, and humble before God to the end. That way, you will not fall into spiritual self-righteousness.
Second, because they did not pray to God.
The reason the first Ai castle failed to conquer was because they did not pray. What the Israelites must never forget is asking God's will. But they forgot to pray. Joshua and the people were convinced that the bread brought by the Gibeonites had been made long ago, so they made a peace treaty. This is "a mistake made only by eye".
The world we live in is a sensory world. We make decisions based on what we see, hear and touch. But many people are making the wrong decisions. Because what the world sees isn't everything. Saints are people who see the invisible spiritual world. But the world is to be opened through prayer.
Also, to do God's work right, we must pray. God has given us the authority to move the heavens and the earth. But that power is supplied to us only through the pipe of prayer. So, if the devil can do it, he will use all means and methods to prevent them from praying. It makes us rely more on our judgment than on prayer. Seeing the moldy bread brought by the Gibeonites, the Israelites accepted the words of the Gibeonites at face value. They thought their judgment was correct. But their judgment was undoubtedly wrong.
If you don't pray, your judgment will be clouded. You lose spiritual discernment. So you come up with your own ideas. For this reason, the Bible says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In everything you must acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).
We should never rely on our own judgment and pray consistently for God's help and favor. As it is said, “Pray in the Holy Spirit with prayer and supplication continually,” when you first seek God's will, you will be able to overcome the spiritual test abundantly.
third. Because it was hasty.
After three days of making peace with Gibeon, the Israelites learned that they had been deceived. If the people of Israel had been more careful, waiting, praying, and pondering, this mistake would not have been made. But they made the decision too hastily. There are bound to be side effects in rushing to do anything.
Mature believers are not impatient. With meekness bears the fruit of perseverance. It can be seen that the more valuable the characters God uses, the longer they have passed the training of waiting. After 13 years of persecution, slander, and contempt, Joseph fulfilled his dream. Moses wandered in the wilderness of Midian for 40 years. David also lived as an ordinary man for about 40 years after he was anointed. But they were not discouraged. In the end, I waited for a long time, looking forward to the day that God would accomplish. So, the person the devil fears the most is the one who knows how to be patient. The devil is most afraid of people who are not easily shaken, who do not easily despair in the circumstances of the world and who wait patiently like Job and long for God's will. God's people mature through waiting.
I pray in the name of the Lord that you will become a mature believer who can wait for God's fulfillment to become a saint who won't be shaken by any temptations of the devil and who will triumph abundantly.