4.12.12 "There's More at Stake than you Think"

"There's More at Stake than you Think"

Joshua 5:1-7:15
Luke 15:1-32
Psalm 81:1-16
Proverbs 13:1

Why does temptation seem to have such a power over us? We know what we ought to do, and yet the lure of sin draws us so easily into its grip. Many times the main problem is the fact that we don't realize what is really at stake when we allow compromise and disobedience into our life.

In Joshua 6 the Israelites are at the walls of Jericho. Joshua gives them the command of how to defeat the enemy. This story is familiar to us. "The walls come a tumblin' down..." He has also given them the command to destroy everything except that which is to be used in the Lord's treasury.

"But there was sin among the Israelis. God's command... was disobeyed. For Achan... took some loot for himself" (Jos 7:1)

The result of Achan's sin is that the people scoped out the next enemy and while they were full of faith from what God had done in Jericho, they went out and were defeated. The result of that defeat was, "The Israeli army was paralyzed with fear at this turn of events." (7:5)

Remember Jesus' temptation in the Desert? Jesus was really being offered a shortcut to meeting his needs. Think about how often we like to take short cuts to the gratification of our desires. What we don't realize is that when we are tempted, there is ALWAYS more at stake than we think. It's not just about the issue at hand, there are great consequences to disobedience. We fool ourselves to think that we can live under the umbrella of blessing with our heart given to disobedience.

God's commands are very clear. "You must never worship any other god, nor ever have an idol in your home." (Ps. 81:9) He promises great blessing if we obey that. "Only test me! Open your mouth wide and see if I won't fill it. You will receive every blessing you can use! But no, my people won't listen. Israel doesn't want me around. So I am letting them go their blind and stubborn way, living according to their own desires. But oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths! How quickly then I would subdue her enemies! How soon my hands would be upon her foes!" (Ps 81:10-14)

What is really at stake when we pursue the desires of our flesh? God tells the people, "You cannot defeat your enemies until you deal with this sin." (Jos 7:13) Small steps of self-gratification are far more costly than we realize.

In today's reading in Luke Jesus is telling the story of the prodigal son. This son is one who wants his future NOW. He doesn't want to wait. What does this impatience cost him? He loses it all. Not only that, he finds himself out of relationship with his father. "Father, I have sinned against heaven and you, and am not worthy of being called your son..." (Luke 15:21)

We risk so much when we serve self. In tomorrow's reading in the One-Year Bible we see that Achan and his entire family is killed in judgement of his selfishness. When we are tempted, it is not merely a matter of testing our self-control. We risk our family, our future, and ultimately our faith. Every step of disobedience is extremely dangerous. It is a step toward a hard heart. It is a step away from God.

In whatever area the Lord is dealing with you in, make sure to walk in his path. Walk in his timing. Don't take a shortcut.

There's more at stake than you think!



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Pastor Greg Lathe

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