27/07/2026
Lesson Thirty: 26th July, 2026
DANGER IN
WORLDLY
ASSOCIATION
Joshua 9:1-27
MEMORY VERSE:
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
[2 Corinthians 6:14]
INTRODUCTION
Worldliness is one of the greatest enemy of the Christian faith. It is one of the agents of Satan to hinder a real Christian experience (1John 2:15).
The world and all its system is against godliness and they that love it cannot please God, neither can they be subject unto God (James 4:4). Though believers are in the world but are not of the world. In view of this, friendliness with the world is dangerous and must be avoided without option. To live a successful Christian life here on earth, the believer’s life must be void of any form of worldly association as evil communication corrupts good manner (1 Cor. 15:33).
DECEPTION OF THE UNBELIEVERS: JOSHUA 9:1-15
Israel’s victories over Jericho and Ai caused the whole country to action. The frightened Kings formed alliance in both North and South. Not all Israel’s enemies wanted to fight. The Gibeonites were convinced they could never defeat Israel in war so they pursued peace. After consultation they sent emissaries to Joshua. As they saw Joshua, they gave untruthful answers. They answered they were travelers from a far country who had come to pay respect to the great God of Israel. Unaware of their deceptive plans, the leaders of Israel made treaties with them. The unbelievers are c***y and crafty (2 Cor. 11:13 15). There should be no compromise of any sort as this could be disastrous. It then follows that believers should not take things for granted, but must inquire from God before venturing into any program/project with the unbelievers since they are all round about us in our daily activities.
DISCOVERY OF DECEPTION: JOSHUA 9: 16-17
Because of Israel's carelessness, the Gibeonites succeeded in deceiving them. Having signed the treaties, the Gibeonites settled with them. After three days Israel learnt that they had been deceived, because the Gibeonites who lied to be travelers from a far country were actually living only about 25 miles from Gilgal, in Canaan proper. A lying tongue lasts only for a moment (Prov. 12:19). Sooner or later trickery and deceit are exposed. Nothing is hidden from God and every sin will soon be exposed if not repented of. Believers must therefore be watchful and sober to dictate the deception of the unbelievers (1Thess. 5:6-8; 1 Pet. 5:8).
DECISION OF THE BELIEVER: JOSHUA 9:18-27
Israel was very much provoked when they discovered they had been deceived. Israel were men of integrity who stood by their words. Believers must at all times keep vows and pledges. Their words must be kept in all honesty (Eccl. 5:4-6; Matt. 5:37). Though humiliated by what had transpired, Israel did not want to bring disgrace on God, but they made slaves of the Gibeonites. The very thing the Gibeonites hoped to attain they lost. They desperately wanted to remain free men, in the end they became slaves.
Every worldly relationships and unfruitful works of darkness must be severed without delay. 2 Cor. 7:1, Eph. 5:11.
Our word should be our bond, even when it hurts. Believers like Israel, should be people who keep to their words in time keeping and all pronounced promises. If this is to be obediently observed, it follows that weighing every word and promise before pronouncement is of vital importance. Furthermore, talkativeness should stop and emotional out bursts on vital issues avoided.
