When Temptation Looks Like Opportunity

Joshua 9:3-15

Joshua and the leaders of Israel were presented with a story, and evidence to back it up. They were then asked to do something in response. The Gibeonites appealed to the flesh and made their proposal seem like the right thing to do. Israel acted rashly and without good reason for lack of spiritual maturity, and they were duped. \r
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There are times in the life of every Christian when something comes across our path, and through the flesh, the enemy actually makes a temptation appear as a good opportunity, even a godly imperative. How do we figure out and combat these attempts? We learn from the mistakes of others, namely Joshua and the Israelite leaders here in Joshua 9:3-15.\r
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The Gibeonites wanted to appear 1) not as a threat and 2) not part of God's plan ("we are from a far country, so now make a covenant with us" vs 6)\r
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The men of Israel pressed the Gibeonites about whether they were enemies - so they were suspicious and should have acted on that hunch instead of looking for ways of denying it. (vs 7)\r
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The enemy had several layers of story ready. They didn't pull out all the evidence they had faked until pressed (vs 9-13). So too, the enemy might have several layers of reasons why we should do something. But more reasons to do it doesn't make something more right. \r
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They said:\r
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1. They came from afar because of the "name of the Lord your God" (showing reverence to God)\r
2. They "heard a report" - which was probably true. This would be of God's military power against His enemies (showing the fear of God)\r
3. They want a covenant (desiring peace with God through Israel)\r
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The enemy will sometimes cloak the most horrible sins in the most religious and pious sounding cloak. How do you think the inquisition and the Salem witch trials happened? \r
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Mistakes the Israelites made:\r
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1. They partook of some of the provisions - taking it as enough evidence (vs 14)\r
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They should have asked for more credible credentials (real ambassadors would have had them, perhaps gifts from that far country's produce or riches?)\r
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We take the pleasures and bangles from the world but don't ask the Lord about them.\r
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1. They did not ask counsel from God\r
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2. They let their pride fool them (the "fame" of what God has done through you, "we are your servants")\r
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Ask probing questions of yourself (the Gibeonites never mentioned the name of the country they were from, for instance).\r
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Things are not always as they appear. This was an enemy pretending to be a friend.\r
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So how can the Gibeonites (so to speak) tempt us to do something God does not want us to do?\r
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Something that appears good, but isn't really. \r
Someone who appears honest but isn't really.\r
Something we do now that seems innocent that will have negative consequences later.\r
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Principals of Godly Direction\r
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Is it true?\r
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Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.\r
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9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. KJV\r
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I know this might seem obvious, but we should as ourselves and the Lord: is what I'm hearing factual, honest, fair, without sin, and praise-worthy? \r
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Does it bring glory to God or you?\r
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Mathewt 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. \r
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Philippians 2:3-7 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,\r
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We'll see more of this in a bit - but the enemy has subtle ways of encouraging us to do things that will feed the self and not glorify the Lord. Ask yourself: if no one ever knows I did this except God, would I still do it?\r
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Does it promote the true gospel? (test the spirits)\r
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1 John 4:1-3 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.\r
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Ask probing questions: "where are you from?"\r
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Is it in keeping with His Word?\r
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I know this might seem obvious but if God has spoken about something then that's pretty obvious, but the Bible is actually not a handbook for living in the sense that you turn to page 1361 to find out what to do when someone cuts you off on the freeway. The Bible is God's story of redeeming fallen man. In it He reveals His character and tells us that we get that character as the Holy Spirit lives in us through Jesus Christ. \r
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1 Corinthians 2:16 "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. \r
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What kind of fruit-Spirit or Flesh?\r
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Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. \r
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What kind of wisdom-above or below?\r
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James 3:17-18 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. \r
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Is it in keeping with God's vision for you?\r
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This one is tricky. We want to do anything and everything for God, but only do those things that God is actually calling you to do.\r
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2 Corinthians 10:13-17 But we will not boast beyond limits, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us, to reach even to you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. We were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. 15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another's area of influence. \r
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The point I want to make here is that God assigned Paul the "area of influence" of Corinth. We should determine what our "area of influence is" and then move in that. Perhaps it's at home, or at work, or in a club or Sunday School class, or with friends, or perhaps some other ministry area. God may move you into new areas, but make sure it's something God wants you to do, not something someone else wants you to do.\r
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1 Corinthians 10:23-25 "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. \r
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Here the point is that Paul can lawfully eat meat but could choose not to because it might cause someone not to follow Christ. God's vision for you will benefit you, but that shouldn't be the primary purpose. We are to be "other centered" just as Jesus was. \r
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So - is the opportunity within the sphere of influence God has given you and even though it's possible, is it beneficial to others?\r
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An open door does not mean you should walk through it\r
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2 Corinthians 2:12-13 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.\r
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See that? The Lord opened a door for ministry but Paul did not walk through it. There may be many opportunities open for you. Whether you walk through them should be a matter of: discernment.\r
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Use discernment\r
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Matthew 10:16-17 "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues,\r
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1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world- the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions-is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. \r
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So then, discernment is a matter of identifying in our environment those things that come from God and those that come from the world, separating them, and acting according to the Spirit.\r