There were some invaluable lessons to be learned in those early days after the Israelites prepared to take on their first challenge in overthrowing Jericho. We discussed some of those recently, being reminded how there needed to be a ‘wholehearted’ commitment to walking in covenant with God, which involved all the males being circumcised (Josh. 5). Yeah... that’s being ‘all in’, if you ask any male, I would think.

Then, there was the method in which Jericho’s walls were brought down in the fashion they were that led to the overthrow of the city. Zechariah sums it up nicely: “It’s not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit’...says the Lord of hosts.” (Zech.4:6). And so it will be as you and I go in and conquer all those ‘sins of the flesh’ and ‘spiritual strongholds’ that have ruled us all these years (1 John 5:19; John 8:34; Acts 10:38; 26:18; Eph. 2:1-3). “Trying harder to do better” has gotten us nowhere, and the sooner one comes to terms with this, the sooner one can find victory and freedom in your life; but it has to be done God’s way- and it’s always...the way of the cross.

There is another, often overlooked detail in that story that is very relevant to us believers today. Anyone recall the name of Achan? The people of God were given very specific instructions on what was to be taken out of Jericho, and what was to be left behind (Josh. 6:17-19). Apparently, Achan was under the impression that since ‘nobody is perfect’...that no one would notice if he just took a few of those things they were instructed to leave behind (Joshua 7:1). And this would cost the people of God, especially Achan and his family, in the most severe way. You can read that chapter for yourself to see how.

Friends...this is where there has been gross deception and false teaching in the church today...this idea that ‘since nobody is perfect’ (other than Jesus)...that God will overlook those ‘little sins...that we all commit’. In fact, most have been taught they will ‘always sin... on this side of heaven’ ...as if this will be the ‘norm’ for anyone who has been ‘born of God’ and become a ‘new creation in Christ’. The only problem with that faulty theology...is it is NOT biblical! “Whoever has been born of God no longer sins” (1 John 5:18). “Whoever sins is of the devil.” (1 John 3:8). “Whoever abides in Him does not sin” (1 John 3:6). “Whoever commits sin is a slave to sin.” (John 8:34) I didn’t write those verses!

And why...must all sin be dealt with, both ‘big and small’? Because a ‘little leaven leavens the whole lump’ according to Paul (1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9). Jesus did not teach: “Go, and try harder to sin less”...His words were “sin no more or something worse will come upon you” (John 5:14).

So in the early days of their entry into this promised land and being led by God’s Spirit, Achan failed to heed the memo, and please make note: God made an example out of Achan to get His point across (Joshua 7:24-26). Oh, but you say God changed and doesn’t work like that anymore? Interesting. Seems I read God telling us that He ‘changes not’ (Mal. 3:6), and if you care to have a NT example of this, are you familiar with a couple in the early days of the Church’s inception who tried to get by with holding back some money that was collected for some cause the church leaders were carrying out. (Acts 5:1-2)

It's safe to say that given this couple were known to Peter, who called them out by name, he confronts Ananias with a question that is another one of those verses we can easily overlook: “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit..?”(3).

Who....’filled Ananias’s heart’? Sounds like this man ‘gave place to the devil’ (Eph. 4:27). Now those who find enjoyment in theological sparring would be quick to assure you that ‘Christians can’t have demons’, for the reason that God’s Spirit ‘won’t dwell in the same temple that Satan does’, blah blah blah. They would probably bring into question if Ananias was even ‘truly saved’...or maybe had not yet ‘received the Holy Ghost’, etc. All I know is what I read in my Bible, and we are told to remain vigilant and watchful, for this very reason: we have a spiritual enemy on the prowl who seeks to come back in from whence he came out- (Matt. 12:43-45; 1 Pet. 5:8; Matt. 24:42-44; Eph. 4:27). And yes, you can ‘open that door’ to him and he doesn't need to be asked twice to come back in ‘like a flood’...to ‘steal, kill, and destroy’ (Isa. 59:18; John 10:10). You might also make note of Ps.74:3-8; Lam.1:8-10;2:7; 4:12; Rev. 18:2)

Peter then asked a follow up question to Ananias wanting to know ‘why have you conceived this thing in your heart’?(Acts 5:4). Interesting word choice there, to ‘conceive’. Take a look at James 1:13-16, if you care to see the enemy’s ‘game plan’ on how he does make his way back in when we allow him. Maybe that’s why James adds the emphasis to: ‘be not deceived’.

Oh...so you really didn’t think you ‘signed on’ for all this ‘warring stuff’ and having to ‘resist a spiritual enemy’ and to ‘take and stand your ground’ as you ‘bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ’ while 'resisting the devil'? Maybe that...is why the battle has been difficult for you (Hosea 4:6). I’m also guessing that you’ve not fully grasped this concept about what it means to ‘abide in Jesus’...as in ‘all the time’, and not when it’s convenient or when you ‘feel like it’. Have you read Paul’s exhortation to Timothy lately about how we’ve been called to ‘endure hardship as a good solider of Jesus Christ’ and to avoid getting ‘entangled with the affairs of this life so we can please the One who enlisted us’? (2 Tim. 2:1-4). Why did he use this illustration of a ‘soldier’?

Final thought for the day, for those who still can’t get past the idea that an ‘unclean spirit’ could gain access back into your life ...’if’ the Spirit of God resides in you. IF...the Spirit of the Almighty God...who is Holy...is truly dwelling within you...what exactly is He doing when you are continuing to actively sin...which most ‘believers’ admit to doing on a daily basis? You pick the sin that often ensnares you (Heb. 12:1)... When you find yourself yielding to outburst of anger, or nursing a grudge of resentment, maybe gossiping about someone, or plopping down to watch hours of TV/movies that actually glorify ‘sin’, (which we call ‘entertainment)...or maybe it’s various sexual lust compulsions one yields to... what is the Spirit of the Almighty Living God who you claim dwells IN you... doing during that time? Does He close His eyes...or step out back for a smoke while you fulfill the lusts of your flesh?

I only ask this because we are told that one who truly is ‘in Christ’ is a ‘new creation’ and ‘keeps the commandments of God’ and ‘no longer sins’...because they’ve been ‘born of God’. (2 Cor. 5:17; 1John 2:3-6; 3:6-9; 5:18). Friends...the sooner we come to terms that maybe many of us were deceived along the way where we ended up walking in a ‘form of godliness’ void of power (2 Tim. 3:5) where we ‘professed to know Him but our actions/fruit said otherwise’ (Titus 1:16)...the sooner we might find the genuine freedom, peace, and joy that comes with the power of the one true gospel that Jesus preached, and not the plethora of other versions that are out there today (2 Cor. 11:3-4). This really should be good news to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.(Matt. 5:6) I mean...really good news!  There really is so much more for us...than just being dropped off at church as lame beggars (Acts 3:-10)