The War Within

The War Within   - (Outline for review  at the end)
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We are in a very special time in the kingdom!  Glad to be in the kingdom.  To know that we are children of the most high God.
We start with the book of Joshua today.. very foundational what spirit is saying about the war inside our fleshed has allowed this season for us to evaluate ourselves and our relationship with him.  We are   always faced with the challenge how to live in the spirit.  We should be taking inventory, examining ourselves, to make sure we are in the faith.  Making sure that our intent is toward personal intimacy with God, pleasing God. 
There are many distractions and deceptions that can get our focus away from our focus and steadfastness in Christ.  ..
 We must come apart and make our calling and election sure, making sure our obedience and intimacy with God is being strengthened.  We are in a new season, challenging us as we remember how times of fellowship have changed.   The bible makes it very clear to us that we are in a war against the flesh.
 
According to Galatians 5:17, the flesh warreth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh
Paul discusses the challenge of how to live in the spirit.  Every Moment of the day. 
We must know how to overcome and win in this great battle.
My senses, temptations, naturals senses are challenging what the Holy Spirit is doing inside of me.
Romans 7:20-25 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
We will look at the second battle Joshua fought.  It was a battle God won for them and showed them how to get victory in this battle.  Joshua had led them into the promised land and this was the first great battle.  Joshua sought the Lord.  He wanted to please God.  Concerning the battle against Jericho, God gave instructions to have the Israelites to march around the wall of the city seven times and then on the seventh time they would shout!  They possessed the land and had victory in this situation.  This was a big public battle that is well known.
The wall around Jericho was a double wall.  It was fortified but God gave hem victory and proved that he was with them.
Jericho was a public battle, easily seen.  The 2nd battle seemed to be a small thing. 
Let’s focus on the second battle now. 
In this next battle, Joshua took councel from his soldiers who said there is no need to make preparation for this battle by involving the military.
We sometimes underestimate the enemy that is within us, the flesh.  the inward workings of the enemy.  Giving place to those things, not dealing with the inner man.  causes defeat.  If we continue to lose the private battles in the flesh, you will eventually be destroyed.
Over time, if they are not dealt with, not repenting for sin on the inside, hidden, invisible private battles will destroy you.
Hebrews 12:1. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
We must lay aside every sin.
This is not a matter of salvation, but of peace and victory.
It’s the little foxes that spoil the vine. (Song of Solomon  2:15) 
The little things can cause defeat and destruction to our lives overtime.
 
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How to maintain our strength and overcome the flesh.
1)acknowledge the battle is real.  Build ourselves up in those areas.
The thief roams about seeking who is not standing strong. (whom he may devour.) Give no place to him.
Referring to the devil, Jesus said, “He has nothing in me.” There’s no sin handles, nothing that he can grip and grab hold of in my life.  I’ve given no place to him.
Satan is as subtle as a serpent and destructive as a roaring lion,
 
2) be honest about our personal struggle with our own flesh.  Don’t deny and justify it.
Be honest about what our personal struggles are
in the areas of our lives that entice us –chemical addictions, greed, pride, lust
Build ourselves up in those areas  
We cannot give any place to the enemy
Ephesians 6:10-12  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood
 
 
This is another area of testing for us. This is a more subtle thing. 
Are we more of a God pleaser than a man pleaser!  Be more concerned about how God sees us than how man sees us.  He sees the condition of your heart.  Make decisions that are pleasing to God!
 
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Jericho is sort of an example of our outward victories that can be easily seen by others.  victories over health, finance, relationship struggles, etc.
we get great testimony over how we overcame.
1st  battle of Joshua’s     Jericho /outward, the public battle 
everyone saw the walls come down!
 
If we don’t take the same approach to the smaller, private battles, we will find ourselves in defeat.
Ai /the inward, private battle  (Joshua 7:1-12)
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Beth-el, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few. So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name? And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
KJV: King James Version
 
(remember when God commanded Saul to destroy the Amalachites.  Because he did not fully obey but spared the life of the King and took the things he thought was good. he lost his kingdom)
In the case of AI,  the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL TOOK THE ACCURSED THING.
God told them to destroy all but the gold and silver and all the precious things.
These were to be committed to the house of God.
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Proverbs 28:13 13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Don’t have unconfessed  sin in our lives.
They brought defeat to the whole camp and destruction because of disobedience.
Joshua’s underestimation of the enemy
We sometimes give place to the enemy in a subtle way.
Joshua did not seek God as he had done before at Jericho.  They didn’t realize this was still a spiritual battle.  They resorted to their own reasoning. 
In all of our ways we are to acknowledge him.
He received council of men instead of seeking God!
Underestimating the enemy is a result of the spirit of pride.  There is a spirit of pride when you use your reasoning, your decisions, your will, your mind.
Overestimating the enemy in fear, giving him more power.
Joshua blamed God in his defeat.
We need to check ourselves, take inventory, look at ourselves first.
We can’t blame the devil, either.
Submit yourself to God, then you can resist the devil. Remember it’s not by might, nor by power but by God’s spirit.
Sometimes God allows challenges, testing to build you up.
 
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The trial of your faith works endurance. (James 1:3)
The devil wants to rob you of your confidence in God and to make you think God does not love you.
Casting down vain imaginations and every thought
2 Corinthians 10:5 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
This is the battle inside of us. 
the first line of the battle is in your mind.
God tells us to “think on these things.” Philippians 4:8-9  8 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”
He gives perfect peace to those whose mind is stayed on the Lord.
Have a mind to seek the Lord.
Know that all things do work together for your good.
Be confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6-7) 
What shall we say then to these things.  If God be for you who can be against you. against you. (Romans 8:31)  He that spared not his son but delivered him up…
No weapon formed against you shall prosper.  ( Isaiah 54:17)
Keep this mindset and keep your mind stayed on the Lord.
 
 
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Joshua’s question to God -
“How will we look in the eyes of the other nation?”
Even today, The world is watching.  “Where is their God”?
But we know this:  “As sin abounds, grace does much more abound.” (Romans 5:20)
 
There is now and will be gross darkness (Issaiah 61)
Never think that defeat was planned by God.  Our job is to submit to God.
Achan tried to hide the sin situation.  See it as something killing us like a cancer, causing destruction in our whole being.
God had told Joshua to find it!
Until sin is dealt with, you will never get the victory.
If we cover Sin in our personal lives we will not prosper.
 
God is merciful.  Remember Jonah down in the belly of the fish until he cried out.  God heard from the third heaven and delivered Jonah!
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After dealing with the sin of Achan,, God showed Joshua how to go in and get victory.
God said, “fear not to take all the people with you.”
We must Take ALL the weapons of warfare.  Don’t take it lightly.
 
 
Are you Hiding some things? 
How to overcome the flesh.
Take this test:  

• have you been afraid of confessing Christ openly lately?
• have you stolen of been dishonest in any way?
• have you been criticizing or gossiping about others, especially God’s servant?
• have you lost your desire to pray and read God’s word due to other interests?
• Do you have bitterness and unforgiveness in your heart?
• Have you robbed God by withholding finances and time from him?

“if you are ashamed of me before men, I will be ashamed of you before my father.
If you don’t deal with private battles, there will be defeat in your life.
 
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Come with everything you have. prayer, fasting, reading, worship, dancing…
Expose things the devil has you covering.
(Romans 8:5)   He wants you to be carnally minded instead of spiritually minded.  “they that area after the flesh…”
“They that are after the flesh cannot please God.
Sow to the spirit and reap life.
There is only one mighty weapon, not intellect, reasoning, wisdom of men.
Colossians 3:1-17 
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God
 
When Christ who is our life shall appear…
mortify your members…conversations, etc.
 
The Outward man – the wrath of God comes on the children on disobedience.
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(Romans 8:5-8)   -    put off outward things   - “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in the spirit put off :
ANGER, WRATH, MALICE
 
INWARD MAN – PUT ON MERCIES, KINDNESS, MEEKNESS, FOGIVING….
CLEAN YOUR HEART, REPLACE
Be ye thankful
You cannot keep speaking the conversation of the world.  Talk of things of the kingdom of God.
 
Romans 8:8 Let the word of God dwell in you richly.  Whatsoever you do in word or deed, let it be done in the name of the Lord!

THE WAR WITHIN, OUTLINE FOR REVIEW

The War Within, Outline  (Pastor R.B.Miller  October 10,2021)
 Jericho and Ai
1)   Joshua 7:1-12                          Victory at Jericho/Defeat at Ai
          8:1-3                                       Public Victory/Private   (2Cor. 10)
         The Accursed Thing             Underestimating our enemy
          Hidden Sins/Unconfessed sins
 
2)   Take this test 

• have you been afraid of confessing Christ openly lately?
• have you stolen of been dishonest in any way?
• have you been criticizing or gossiping about others, especially God’s servant?
• have you lost your desire to pray and read God’s word due to other interests?
• Do you have bitterness and unforgiveness in your heart?
• Have you robbed God by withholding finances and time from him?

 
3)    Flesh vs. Spirit          (Galatians 5)
 
4)   Carnal Mind vs. Spirit Mind  (Romans 8:5-8)
 
Overcoming the flesh and spiritual dryness
 
How to maintain Strength and Overcome the flesh

1. must first acknowledge that the battle is real
2. must be honest about our personal struggles with our flesh  (Neh 12:1,2 and 6)

3)must constantly build ourselves up in these areas   (Colossians 3:1-17)
 
Why?
If you continue to lose the private battles in the flesh you will eventually be destroyed!
Praying for victory over the enemy on the outside and not repenting for the sin on the inside!
 
Man looks at the outward appearance!
More concerned about how you are perceived and received by man than how God sees you!
 men pleasers
Joshua received the counsel of man without seeking God   Psalm 1, Prov 3:5, Matt 6  seek ye first the kingdom of God
They underestimated the enemy
Pride will cause you to underestimate the enemy, Fear will cause you to overestimate the enemy.
In defeat Joshua blamed God.
 One man’s sin affected the whole tribe. Joshua 8:1-3
vs. 10-12,20-21    Chapter 6:17-19
 True victory comes after repentance.


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