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This article is from Today's
Native Father, issue #143, January/February, 2006. Related articles from this issue: |
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It Started With a Look He started out as Achan, “troublesome.” He ended up in Achor, “disaster.” It came about because he did not control his eyes and his desires. (Historical Note: Jericho was the first city of the Promised Land conquered by Israel. God’s Law said that the “first fruits” were to be devoted to Him. The spoils of other conquered cities could be used by the people, but the spoils of Jericho were to be sacrificed by fire. Achan violated this prohibition by keeping some of the spoils for himself. When confronted with his sin, he told what happened in verse 21. Read Joshua 7:1-26. Step 1. “I ___________ ...a beautiful robe...” (It started with a look.) Step 2. “I ___________________.” Look up this word in the dictionary to find out what it means. Step 3. “I ________________ them.” To whom did these goods actually belong? Step 4. “I ____________ them inside my tent.” Did Achan know he was doing wrong? Describe the three disasters that resulted from Achan’s sin. National disaster. The Israelites lost _________________________________ Family disaster. What happened to Achan’s wife and children? ________________________________________ Personal disaster. What happened to Achan? _________________________________________________ Let’s apply it. Most men would say that there’s no harm in looking at a woman. But can you stop with a look? Read Matthew 5:27-30. What did Jesus say that looking can lead to (see Step 2 above)? ________________________________________ What danger is there after Step 2 (see Step 3)? _______ _________________________________________________ Why do so many men do these things in secret (see Step 4)? _________________________________________ To what disasters does adultery lead? _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ And it all starts with the eyes! Jesus said, “If your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better to lose one part of your body (troublesome!) than...to be thrown into hell (disaster!)” What ways can you think of to control your eyes? Here’s a suggestion. Gather a small group of committed men to read and discuss Every Man’s Battle by Stephen Arterburn. Order this book at your Christian bookstore. |
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