A Sign of Concern: The Battle is Spiritual

   Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 12 - Monday

A Sign of Concern

Scripture Reading: Joshua 23:1–5

Joshua, now an old man, gathers Israel’s leaders for what amounts to his farewell pastoral message. His introduction focuses on three major themes:

1. God’s Faithfulness: Joshua reminds them that “the Lord your God has fought for you” (Josh. 23:3). Israel’s victories were never about military genius—they were gifts of grace.

2. Their Inheritance: He points to the land that God has already given and the land still to be possessed (v.4–5). God’s past work guarantees His future help.

3. The Call to Loyalty: By recalling all God has done, Joshua prepares Israel to understand why obedience matters. Gratitude is meant to fuel faithfulness.

Joshua’s concern is pastoral: he wants the people to stay anchored in the God who delivered them.

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Victorious Living: Israel and Today

Joshua reminds Israel that “one man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you” (Josh. 23:10). That is the secret to every victory—God fights for His people.

Christians today experience the same principle on a spiritual level:

1. Victory Comes From God, Not Ourselves

Just as Israel did not win Canaan by their own strength, believers do not overcome sin through willpower. Christ has already triumphed over the rulers and powers of darkness (Col. 2:15). We fight from victory, not for victory.

2. The Battle Is Spiritual

Paul reminds us that “the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh” (2 Cor. 10:3–5). Our real battleground is the mind—arguments, strongholds, and every thought raised against the knowledge of God. Submission to Christ is our conquering strategy.

3. We Must Wear God’s Armor

Israel had to fight trusting God; Christians must stand firm in the “whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:11–18). Truth, righteousness, faith, the Word, and prayer equip us to walk in daily victory.

Just as God went before Joshua, He goes before us. Our journey mirrors theirs—the battle belongs to the Lord, but we must choose to stand, trust, and obey.

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Why Is It Still So Easy to Sin?

This is a hard question, but Joshua hints at the answer: Israel struggled not because God failed, but because their hearts wandered.

We do the same.

Even with God’s promises, we still face:

1. The pull of the flesh.
   “The flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit” (Gal. 5:17). The internal fight is real and ongoing.

2. A world that resists God.
   “Do not be conformed to this world” (Rom. 12:2). Everything around us pressures us to drift from God.

3. An enemy who schemes.
   (Eph. 6:11) reminds us that spiritual opposition is persistent.

But God does not leave us without hope. He gives His Spirit, His Word, and His promises. When we walk with Him daily, the pull of sin loses its charm and power.

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Prayer

Father,
Thank You for fighting for Your people—then and now. As You gave Joshua courage and Israel victory, give us strength to follow You wholeheartedly. Remind us that our battles belong to You and that Your armor is enough for every challenge we face. When we feel the pull of sin, steady our hearts. Teach us to set our minds on Your truth, walk by Your Spirit, and trust Your faithful promises. Keep us loyal, grateful, and watchful until the day we see You face to face.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

More: God is Faithful!- Sabbath School Lesson 12 - The Lessons of Faith from Joshua

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