How can we apply the principle of complete obedience from Joshua 6:24 today? Setting the Scene “Then they burned the city with fire, and everything in it. But they put the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD’s house.” (Joshua 6:24) God had given Israel precise instructions: march, shout, take nothing for personal gain, devote the valuables to Him alone, and destroy the rest. The people obeyed exactly, holding nothing back. What Complete Obedience Looked Like in Joshua 6:24 • No negotiating—every detail carried out as spoken • No shortcuts—city burned, valuables consecrated, nothing pocketed • No delay—the obedience followed immediately after the walls fell • No divided loyalties—God’s command outweighed personal desire for spoil Timeless Reasons God Requires Full Obedience • He is holy—partial obedience still falls short of His standard (1 Peter 1:16) • He deserves exclusive devotion—“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart” (Deuteronomy 6:5) • Obedience proves love—“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) • Blessing flows through submission—see Deuteronomy 28:1–2 Practical Ways to Live Out Complete Obedience Today • Heart surrender first – Daily present your body “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). • Whole-life integrity – Align speech, finances, relationships, and entertainment with Scripture, not just “church life.” • Stewardship without self-interest – Treat money, talents, and time as devoted to God’s purposes, just as Israel placed Jericho’s treasure in His treasury. • Immediate response – When the Spirit convicts through the Word, act promptly rather than postponing obedience (Psalm 119:60). • Guard the small areas – Secret, “minor” compromises (cf. Achan in Joshua 7) undermine the whole. Decide beforehand to refuse them. • Saturate your mind with truth – “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Common Obstacles and How to Overcome Them • Fear of loss → Remember God’s ownership (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). • Cultural pressure → Anchor identity in Christ, not opinion polls (Galatians 1:10). • Selective listening → Regular, systematic Bible intake counters cherry-picking commands (James 1:22–25). • Weariness → Draw strength from His promises: “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Encouragement from Other Scriptures • 1 Samuel 15:22: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” • Luke 6:46: “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I say?” • Philippians 2:13: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.” Concluding Encouragement The fall of Jericho shows that complete obedience unlocks God’s intended victory and glorifies Him before the watching world. Today, the same Lord still calls His people to wholehearted, immediate, and joyful submission—trusting that He supplies the power to do what He commands. |
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