Wiley Graf
Dabbling in Porn? A Lesson from the Book of Joshua
Aw, it doesn’t hurt anyone. A harmless little diversion when the pressures of work, relationships, and life press in. Who is it really hurting anyway?
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life (Galatians 6:7-8).
THERE ARE NO “SMALL” SINS IN THE EYES OF GOD
It’s one of those timeless lessons from the Old Testament: There are no “small” sins in the eyes of God.
The 600,000-plus children of Israel have crossed the Jordan (Joshua 3-4). They have learned of the key connection between faith/obedience and victory in battle (Joshua 5). The mighty walled city of Jericho has just fallen (Joshua 6). Surely the tiny city of Ai would be next. Those that had spied out the city recommended sending only a couple thousand men of war (Joshua 7:3). But Israel, the nation that had just conquered mighty Jericho, fell before the men of Ai. Why?
Israel fell to their overmatched foe because of one man’s incomplete obedience. God had commanded that the precious metals of conquered nations be added to the treasury of the house of the Lord. But all other spoils of war were to be destroyed. Achan had sinned by keeping some of the spoils for himself. His “small” sin had kindled God’s anger, and ultimately resulted in the death of 36 Israelites (Joshua 7:5).
SINS NOT ROOTED OUT WILL EVENTUALLY RULE ME
Joshua learned from the defeat at Ai. His subsequent destruction of conquered Canaanite cities was total and complete, removing all opportunity for the children of Israel to “pull another Achan” and be corrupted by the Canaanite people and their idols.
Mankind does not change. I am just as prone to “pulling an Achan.” I must not dismiss my dabbling in porn as a “small” sin. I must not deceive myself into believing that my incomplete obedience is still acceptable in the eyes of God.
I must not be deceived (Galatians 6:7). I must learn from the Book of Joshua. I will be corrupted—and eventually ruled—by those sins that I fail to repent of and drive out.
A GAME-CHANGING BOOK HAS ARRIVED
The Way of Escape Battle Plan teaches readers how to drive out those lingering “small” sins of the flesh. Readers learn how to step up the degree to which they “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). They learn how to build a library of Spirit-anointed, flesh-diffusing apps. Apps that are uniquely fitted to them, and their unique Spirit-filling triggers.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
The still-struggling now have another option. The still-struggling now have fresh hope for discovering that long-sought-after way of escape from sin and temptation (I Corinthians 10:13). A way that—because it is wholly Spirit-powered—does not require enlisting the aid of an accountability partner or group. Truly, a game-changer!
To learn more about the book and its author: https://www.wileygrafbooks.com/
To purchase the book: https://kharispublishing.com/kp/product/a-way-of-escape/
