Points of Attack

Background to passage: It could be that the two speeches that we have here at the end of the book of Joshua are some 25 years following the distribution of the land, especially if Joshua and Caleb were close to the same age. Joshua is about to die, and he gives his final instructions to the nations in two forms—in ch. 23 a warning, and in ch 24 a call to covenant obedience. In our text today Joshua is concerned about worldly influence from the remaining pagan nations left in the land (mentioned 7 times). The American church and we as individuals face a continual struggle with our pagan culture to maintain faithfulness to God.

Joshua 23:1–16 ESV

1 A long time afterward, when the Lord had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies, and Joshua was old and well advanced in years, 2 Joshua summoned all Israel, its elders and heads, its judges and officers, and said to them, “I am now old and well advanced in years. 3 And you have seen all that the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the Lord your God who has fought for you. 4 Behold, I have allotted to you as an inheritance for your tribes those nations that remain, along with all the nations that I have already cut off, from the Jordan to the Great Sea in the west. 5 The Lord your God will push them back before you and drive them out of your sight. And you shall possess their land, just as the Lord your God promised you. 6 Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, 7 that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, 8 but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day. 9 For the Lord has driven out before you great and strong nations. And as for you, no man has been able to stand before you to this day. 10 One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you. 11 Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God. 12 For if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, 13 know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good ground that the Lord your God has given you. 14 “And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed. 15 But just as all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you have been fulfilled for you, so the Lord will bring upon you all the evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land that the Lord your God has given you, 16 if you transgress the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them. Then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land that he has given to you.”

Opening illustration: As any good General or military strategist does June 6, 1944 was well thought out with intricate planning to accomplish the ends of establishing a point in France by which the allied armies could advance against German positions beginning to liberate Europe. The Allies used deception strategies, like Operation Fortitude, to mislead the Germans about the actual landing site. They created a fake intelligence breach, a fake army group supposedly preparing to invade at Pas-de-Calais, north of Normandy, which was closer to Britain and seemed a more likely target.

The actual plan, code named Operation Neptune, involved landing on five beachheads across Normandy, code named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. The choice of Normandy was partly because it was less heavily defended than Pas-de-Calais, had suitable beaches for landing troops and supplies, and offered good access to the ports and airfields needed for the subsequent campaign in Western Europe. The plan was to establish a beachhead, then rapidly build up forces and push inland to liberate France and eventually advance into Germany.

Main thought: Four points of attack from worldly influence

1) Failure to Practice Faith (v. 6)

Joshua 23:6 ESV

6 Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left,

1) Failure to Practice Faith (v. 6)

Explanation: Be strong and courageous to keep and do what God has commanded. Joshua knew the difference between holding to certain beliefs in word or creed versus putting those beliefs into action.

James 2:14–17 ESV

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Jesus’s constant beef with the religious leaders who created rules and outwardly followed them, while inwardly hollow, dark, dingy, and full of dead men’s bones.

Illustration: Every generations seems to produce its own version of decaffeinated Christianity. Bonhoeffer spoke about it like this, “Cheap Grace is the deadly enemy of our church. It is grace without price: grace without cost!… Cheap grace means grace as a doctrine … an intellectual assent … Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner … Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession … Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.” Dallas Willard says it like this, “But in the last analysis we fail to be disciples only because we do not decide to be. We do not intend to be disciples. It is the power of the decision and the intention over our life that is missing. We should apprentice ourselves to Jesus in a solemn moment, and we should let those around us know that we have done so.” Jesus says it like this:

Luke 14:28–30 ESV

28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

Application: The same principle applies today. You cannot just profess Jesus without the determination to “keep and do” his commands. This is simply saying that Those of you who do not live like Christians following the commands of Jesus may not be Christians. We are great self-deceivers. When the world looks at your life would they see Jesus? Would they see you blessing those who curse you? Loving those who hate you? Would they see you ministering to children, widows, the poor, and the oppressed? Do you spend time in worship and prayer? Do you forgive those who have treated you unjustly?

2) Desires from Within (v. 7)

Joshua 23:7 ESV

7 that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them,

2) Desires from Within (v. 7)

Explanation: To understand this point, we must ask the question: Why would any Israelite do these things? It is not a common thing in our day for Christians to turn to Wicca, although it happens. The answer lies within the alleged benefits. The desire within a person to have more, to please others, to gain in wealth or prosperity. Joshua knew that the lifestyles, businesses, and culture of the nations would affect and tempt the Israelites. He knew the condition of the human heart, especially those of the nation of Israel.

Jeremiah 7:9 ESV

9 Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known,

Matthew 15:18–19 ESV

18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

Romans 3:10–18 ESV

10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Illustration: studies have shown a direct correlation between the amount of advertising you are exposed to and the amount of money you spend, particularly in areas of disposable income. This is not exceptionally surprising because businesses spend billions of dollars each year to put it in front of you.

Application: The allurements in the world are powerful. Satan makes them look especially good to us. To desire to have more money is not inherently wrong, but it can be driven to have what others have, to covet what they have for yourself. We scheme and manipulate for power or prestige and at the expense of our pursuit of our valuation of God. Sexual gratification is a powerful for all around us that calls our names, turns our eyes, funds our addictions. We often under estimate our own depravity, and we sometimes utter the words, “I would never…?”

3) Improper Relationships (v. 12)

Joshua 23:12 ESV

12 For if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you,

3) Improper Relationships (v. 12)

Explanation: God knew that there would always be pockets or small villages or nomadic peoples left in the last of Caanan. So he tells them to be careful about the relationships they form with non-believers. The word “cling to” indicates a bond being formed. Marriage is specifically cited because it is the most intimate, therefore the most influential, of relationships. However, there is definitely a broader principle in play.

2 Corinthians 6:14–18 ESV

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

Illustration: A successful Christian entrepreneur named David. He had built his business from the ground up, guided by his faith and a commitment to ethical practices. David was known for his integrity and for treating his employees with respect. His business flourished, and he often used his platform to share his faith and support charitable causes. One day, David teamed up with a charismatic business partner named Mark, who was not a believer. Mark had a reputation for being highly persuasive and was known for his willingness to take risks that often skirted ethical boundaries. At first, David was excited about the partnership, believing that they could blend their strengths to create something great. As they worked together, David found himself increasingly drawn to Mark's ambitious vision. Mark often suggested shortcuts to success, such as cutting corners on product quality or manipulating financial records to show higher profits. David initially resisted, but the pressure to keep up with the competition and the allure of quick success began to wear on him. One evening, after a particularly long day, Mark invited David to a networking event with influential business leaders. The atmosphere was charged with ambition, and the conversations quickly turned to making deals that were less than honest. Caught up in the excitement and wanting to impress potential clients, David made a decision that would haunt him: he agreed to a seemingly harmless but ethically questionable tactic to secure a contract. As time went on, David's moral compass began to wobble. He found himself justifying more and more of Mark's questionable practices, rationalizing that everyone in the industry did it. His once-clear boundaries blurred, and he struggled to reconcile his actions with his faith. Eventually, news of their unethical dealings surfaced, leading to a scandal that damaged both the business and David’s reputation. In the aftermath, David faced the painful realization that his close relationship with Mark had led him away from his values. He lost not only his business but also the trust of his family and community. It took time, humility, and a deep return to his faith for David to rebuild his life and learn a powerful lesson about the dangers of compromising his beliefs for the sake of partnership and success.

Application: We must we careful at what degree we involve ourselves in relationships with unbelievers. The goal still applies, we do not want anything pulling us away from or getting between us and God. Relationships can influence us in two ways. They can be directly, overtly pulling us away from God, but the true point of attack is the more subtle way of influencing how you think, when you need counsel, when you are faced with decisions that are moral or affect your integrity. Single people, if you choose to be married, find a strong believer that shares your convictions and values. Students, ask hard questions and keep the proper distance from friendships that pull you down. Be careful of your business partnerships. Be prepared to say no, or say bye.

4) Fear and Doubt (v. 14)

Joshua 23:14 ESV

14 “And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.

4) Fear and Doubt (v. 14)

Explanation: Finally, Joshua knows that they will face times of trial and tribulation and will be tempted because of circumstance to doubt God. This point of attack is as old as the Garden of Eden. Doubt God’s love. Doubt God’s faithfulness. Doubt God’s sovereignty. Doubt God’s goodness. Joshua wanted to encourage them of God’s absolute faithfulness, because he knew doubt would come. He knew that if Israel doubted God, they could start down a path to apostasy, v. 16.

Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV

8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Mark 9:24 ESV

24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 ESV

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Illustration: the current alarming trend among evangelicals, especially teens, 20s, 30s: Christian deconstructionism, church planter’s wife who had to believe for the both of them.

Application: Doubt is a temptation at first, then becomes a sin if not fought against. A major point of attack in spiritual warfare is your mind. We are to tear down arguments that exalt themselves against Christ, and bring them captive to Christ.Look for people who will remind you of the promises kept by God. Express your doubt and confess it to someone who will help. Search the scriptures to see the examples of the acts of God, as well as the saints who wrote of their doubt and the faith God gave to overcome. Confess it to God, and plead with him for help, even if you are doubting that he answers prayer.

Closing illustration: our relationship to the world will help protect us from attack and frame our worldview to follow Christ clearly and closely

Sent into the world — John 17:18; 20:21

Preaching to the world — Mark 16:15

The light of the world — Phil. 2:15; Matt. 5:14

Live godly in the world — Titus 2:12

Not conformed to the world — Rom. 12:2; John 17:15

Love not the world — 1 John 2:16; 2 Tim. 4:10

Passing through the world — 1 Peter 2:11

No friendship with the world — James 1:27; 4:4

As a saint, in separation from it — John 17:16

As a subject, in subjection to it — Rom. 13:1

As a servant, in service toward it — John 20:21

Recap