May 29, 2022

“STANDING ON THE PROMISES OF GOD”

“THE WAR WITHIN”

JOSHUA 10:15-19

Joshua 10:15-18

God instructs the children of Israel of possible failure:

Numbers 33:55 “But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.”

These five kings hidden in a cave are a betrayal of the remnants of sins that remain in our lives.

Do you have any kings in your life today?

Joshua 10:16 “But these five kings had fled and hidden themselves in a cave at Makkedah.”

We must root out anything in our lives that don’t bring honor and glory to God.

How do we do that?

Joshua 10:17-18 “And it was told Joshua, saying, “The five kings have been found hidden in the cave at Makkedah.” 18So Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to guard them.”

Principle: If you have a problem and you keep dealing with it over and over and over again and just can’t seem to conquer it. Put a lid on it and grow and be strengthened in the Lord and come back later to deal with it completely.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Spiritual warfare-the war within

1 Corinthians 9:27 “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

Our sin nature, our flesh requires life long vigilance. We will never be temptation free here on this earth.

Three Commitments To Make For Daily Living:

1.   Constantly Remember The Difference Between Consecration and Sanctification.

Consecrated-implies a burnt offering, we have given our all to someone or something.

Romans 12:1-2

Sanctification- set apart or make special. The process we go through everyday allowing God to root out the kings in our caves.

Consecration is a decision, sanctification is the process.

2.   Consistently Die Daily

Everyday I die to myself, and give myself to God and my body as an instrument of righteousness unto Him.

Romans 6

Joshua had put a lid on the kings and continued to pursue and destroy the enemy they were chasing:

Joshua 10:19 “And do not stay there yourselves, but pursue your enemies, and attack their rear guard. Do not allow them to enter their cities, for the Lord your God has delivered them into your hand.”

The Lord had promised the victory but we have to claim it.

3.   Never Accept Good Enough

Lesson: Don’t allow sins to become so entrenched in your life that they just sit there and regenerate strength. Destroy them.

Take the addictive nature and use it for good- Bible study, prayer, memorization of Scripture, ministry.

1 Corinthians 16:15 “I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints.”

If you whine and complain and do nothing you will be sitting in front of that cave the rest of your life, don’t do that.

Joshua 10:20 “Then it happened, while Joshua and the children of Israel made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they had finished, that those who escaped entered fortified cities.”

The Final Solution to Win the War Within:

Five Action Steps To Take To Bring Finality

1.   Bring Them To Light

Joshua 10:22-23 “Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings to me from the cave.” 23And they did so, and brought out those five kings to him from the cave: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.”

2.   Claim The Victory

Joshua 10:24 “So it was, when they brought out those kings to Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the captains of the men of war who went with him, “Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings.” And they drew near and put their feet on their necks.”

Putting feet on the necks of the kings was a symbol of victory back then. They publicly proclaimed the victory.

Colossians 3:5 “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

3.   Grab Grace And Let Go Of Fear

Joshua 10:25 “Then Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Joshua 1:9

4.   Fight the Fight

Joshua 10:25 “Then Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”

2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

5.   Take It To The Cross

Joshua 10:26-27 “And afterward Joshua struck them and killed them, and hanged them on five trees; and they were hanging on the trees until evening. 27So it was at the time of the going down of the sun that Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees, cast them into the cave where they had been hidden, and laid large stones against the cave’s mouth, which remain until this very day.”

Galatians 6:14 “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

What are the kings in you life that is hiding in the cave?