In this passage in Joshua, let’s notice two important truths:
First, Joshua led the Israelites from victory to victory, as they conquered one city and king after another. Immediately after conquering Libnah they conquered Lachish, followed immediately by defeating Horam, Eglon, Hebron and Debir.
“The point to note is this: Joshua was being faithful to the Lord’s command, waging constant warfare against the enemy, conquering the promised land and laying hold of the inheritance promised by God.”--Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible
This speaks to us of the necessity of fighting our own sins and lusts, one right after the other. We, like the Israelites of old have been given divine power to demolish demonic strongholds. “We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy's strong places. We destroy people's arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Believers have the spiritual strength to conquer lying and lusting, to overcome gluttony and laziness, to defeat and destroy impurity and all sins of the flesh, to conquer and overcome bitterness and unforgiveness, indeed one sin right after another. Such is the heritage of the children of God.
A common problem in the church today is that far too many of us have given up, giving in to despair and discouragement, to a spirit of defeat and hopelessness, and to a sense of helplessness, guilt, and unworthiness.
“But there is hope, great hope. Joshua shows us the path of hope, the way to conquer the enemies of this life that war against our souls, that attempt to defeat and destroy us. What is that path of hope that Joshua shows us? What is the way of victory that is taught us? The path or the way of constant warfare. We must wage constant warfare against the enemies, that war against our souls. We must not surrender nor give up to their attack.”--Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible
Here is our instructions for waging aggressive warfare on our own sins and lusts:
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NCV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil's evil tricks. 12 Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world's darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. 13 That is why you need to put on God's full armor. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.
Question 2. Do you now understand you have authority to overcome and defeat all sins in Jesus’ name?
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Carol writes, "Yes I see it. For once in reading all this I know I am saved. Many times before I wasn’t sure if my sins were truely forgiven but lately in my studies I know they are. I am a child of God and I can help fight the darkness too. I now do outreach for my church and in days past I would have been nervous and embarrassed, but now I love it and I felt a glow over me after I left."
Karen, writes, "Yes! I do know I have authority and victory! It is so hard to believe sometimes and the enemy can creep into my mind with lies, but then the Holy Spirit reminds me of God's love and forgiveness. It is so amazing! This is why I am so grateful to the Lord for SCF. My experience has been that churches don't focus enough on victory in Christ. I have experienced such freedom in these studies. Praise God!!!"
Kelly writes, "Yes I understand this but at times I find myself struggling to believe it. I like the point made in the lesson about continuing to enter into warfare with one sin after another. Especially the part about taking captive every thought and making it give up and obey God. Sometimes negative self talk can be a weapon “Satan our enemy and flesh our traitor” use to keep us doubting the victory and power we have over sin in Christ. That just highlight to me the importantance of preaching the Gospel to my self often. I need to be nailing those negative and defeating thoughts to the Cross. I need them to bow down in obedience to the promises of the Gospel so I can more and more experience the victory of Christ resurrection power in every area of my life."