IOI CHRISTIAN MEAN
. . .Continuation of yesterday
TOPIC: THE ENEMY CAN BE DECEPTIVE
TEXT: Joshua 9:1-13
(. Note verses 1-2. When all the kings of Canaan heard what had happened to Ai and to Jericho, they joined forces to seek to defeat Israel. Isn't it amazing how the devil's crowd will join up to fight God's people? Just look at the way Jesus was treated by His enemies. The Pharisees and the Herodians hated one another, but they came together in the common effort of seeing Jesus put to death. Another friendship that was formed over the death of our Lord was that which was formed between Herod Antipas and Pontius Pilate. We are still seeing these same kind of alliances formed in our day!)
A. 4 He Uses Deceptive Wiles - When the Gibeonites heard that the Israelites were headed in their direction, they devised a scheme to trick Israel into making a peace treaty with them. They dressed in old clothes, carried old bread and wine and pretended that they were from far away. They did everything in their power to trick Israel.
(. What a picture of our enemy, the devil! The Bible tells us in Eph. 6:11 that we fight an enemy that uses "wiles" to get his way in our lives. The word "wiles" refers to "deceit, trickery, cunning arts." You see friends, Satan would like nothing better than to trip you up and cause you to fall into one of his traps. Just before Jesus died, He told Simon Peter that Satan desired to have him that he might sift him as wheat, Luke 22:31-32. Satan wants to do the same to you and me. He wants us to fall. He wants us to fail, and he will stop at nothing to bring that to pass. 1 Tim. 3:7 tells us that Satan uses "snares" to catch his prey. This word refers to a trap set by a hunter in order that he might capture his prey. So, Satan uses deceptive wiles, just like the people of Gibeon did.)
B. 4-5 He Uses Deceptive Wares - The Gibeonites had taken every step possible to deceive Israel into believing that they were from a far away country. They carried old sacks on their donkeys, broken and bound up wine skins, patched shoes shabby clothing and even some moldy bread. Their entire aim was to trick Israel.
( May I remind you that when the devil comes to you in temptation, or to trip you up, he does not do so in a red suit with a pointy tail and horns. He will not be carrying a pitchfork and he will not smell like sulphur. When the devil comes to your life to cause you trouble, he will appear as an angel of light, 2 Cor. 11:14. He will make his plan appear to be the perfect thing for your life. So, beware of every impulse that comes down the line. Check out everything by the Word of God and by the will of God and the Lord will always lead you in the right way!)
C. 6-13 He Uses Deceptive Words - Notice that in these verses, these men from Gibeon lied, v. 6, 9, 11-12; they used claimed to be something they were not, v. 8-9; and they were careful in what they referred to, v. 10 (Ill. They did not mention anything that had happened since Israel had crossed Jordan, giving the impression that they had indeed been traveling for quiet some time.)
( Again, this is a perfect picture of our enemy, the devil. He will use slick and enticing speech to get you to yield to his plans for your life. He practiced this kind of trickery in the Garden of Eden when he talked to Eve, Gen. 3:1-6. He told her that she could question God's Word, v. 1; He told her that God did not really mean what God has said, v. 3; He told her that God was really just holding out on her, v. 5. In other words, the devil will give you every reason in the world to justify the things he wants you to do. Then when you have followed him and are out of God's will and in trouble, he will discard you like a piece of trash and leave you to rot in your sins!
I wonder:
1. Just what did the devil tell Cain to get him to kill Abel?
2. Just what did the devil tell David to get him to sleep with Bathsheba?
3. Just what did the devil tell Judas to get him to betray the Lord Jesus?
4. Just what has the devil told you in the past; and what is he telling you now?
You see, 2 Cor. 2:11 tells us that Satan desires to gain an "advantage" over us and to do this, he will use every trick in the book to get us to follow him into failure. Be careful! 1 Peter 5:8 tells us what the devil is up to this morning. He wants you. He wants your family. He wants your testimony. He wants your church. If you have it and it's from the Lord, he wants it, and to get it, he will do anything!
. . .CONTINUE TOMORROW
PRAYER
Every deception of the devil to destroy your life and your ministry and your family and your carrier and your future is destroy today in Jesus name. God bless you today Amen
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