How can we apply "do to them as commanded" in our spiritual battles today? Key Verse “And Joshua did to them as the LORD had commanded him: he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots.” (Joshua 11:9) Setting the Scene • The northern coalition in Canaan fielded overwhelming strength—war-horses and iron chariots. • God told Joshua to cripple the enemy’s horses and destroy the chariots (Joshua 11:6). • Joshua obeyed immediately and completely, neutralizing the very tools that gave the enemy its advantage. Timeless Principles • God alone defines the battle plan; victory flows from exact obedience, not human brilliance (Deuteronomy 20:1-4). • Partial obedience leaves the enemy’s assets intact and invites future defeat (1 Samuel 15:22-23). • Faith acts promptly; delay is disobedience disguised as caution (Psalm 119:60). Translating to Spiritual Warfare Our battles are “not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12). The “horses and chariots” we face are: • Habitual sins and fleshly desires (Romans 6:12-14) • False arguments and lofty opinions raised against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) • Cultural pressures and patterns of the world (Romans 12:2) • Demonic attacks and temptations (1 Peter 5:8-9) Practical Steps for Today Hamstring the horses—cripple the power source: • Identify the specific entry points of temptation and cut them off (Matthew 5:29-30). • Fast from media or relationships that feed sinful desires. • Replace corrupting speech with edifying words (Ephesians 4:29). Burn the chariots—destroy the delivery system: • Delete hidden files, apps, or accounts that enable sin. • Remove literature or symbols tied to occult, false teaching, or moral compromise (Acts 19:18-20). • Break agreements with fear, bitterness, or unforgiveness by speaking God’s truth aloud (James 4:7-8). Advance only on God’s command: • Saturate your mind with Scripture daily; the sword of the Spirit must stay sharp (Ephesians 6:17). • Pray in the Spirit “at all times” for discernment of God’s specific instructions (Ephesians 6:18). • Seek wise counsel from mature believers when uncertainty arises (Proverbs 15:22). Leave nothing undone: • Conduct regular heart inventories, asking the Spirit to expose hidden sin (Psalm 139:23-24). • Follow through until sinful patterns are fully uprooted; unfinished obedience invites relapse (Galatians 5:9). Encouraging Promise “The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4) When we do to our spiritual enemies exactly as the Lord commands—no more, no less—the decisive victory already won at the cross becomes visible in our daily walk. |
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