Is a Leader born or made? Probably both – God gives the Leader the genetic structure he needs and then develops his gifts and abilities in the “school of life.” Management Seminars promise to teach “Leadership;” but there must be “ingredients” of Leadership within the Person in order that the Leadership could be developed. Principles of Leadership may be taught, but what it means to be the Leader, can only be learned on the field of action. It must be “caught.” Seminars do not make the Person the Leader. It creates awareness. What are the characteristics of Joshua’s Leadership Style?
Joshua Walks with God
Like Moses, his Mentor, Joshua was a man of God. Joshua was called “the Servant of the Lord” (Joshua 24:29). God communicated His will to Joshua, and he obeyed:
Joshua meditates daily on the “Law of the LORD” (Joshua 1:8).
Joshua does what it said – Joshua 11:15“As the LORD commanded Moses, His Servant, so did Moses commanded Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.”
Joshua is a man of Prayer – Joshua 7:6-9
Joshua is a Worshipper
Exodus 33:7-11 “And Moses took the tabernacle and pitched it outside the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass that every man who sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which is outside the camp. And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle that all the people rose up and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle. And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, that cloudy pillar descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses. And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door. And the LORD spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp, but his Servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man departed not out of the tabernacle.” During the Wilderness Journey, Moses set up the Tabernacle of the Congregation outside the Camp where he (Moses) could meet with God (Exodus 33:7-11). It was Joshua’s responsibility to stay at the Tabernacle and guard it. Not only was Joshua a Warrior, but he was also the Worshipper and knows how-to live-in God’s Presence.
Joshua is Courageous
At the beginning of his ministry Joshua was told four times to “be courageous” (Joshua 1:6-7, 9, 18). It takes courage to be the Successful Leader, courage to stand for what he believes, and courage to do what he knows God wants him to do. Every Leader can learn from Martin Luther when he said: “Here I stand, I can do no other.”
General Omar Bradley defined bravery as “the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.” We have not been told whether Joshua was ever afraid as he faced the Enemies, but we do know that he did his job and won battle after battle. Most of us are not called to lead Armies, but any kind of leadership involves risks and demands moral courage. “He who love his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25, NIV). If the person is timid about life and ministry, he will never accomplish much for God. It was because the “unfaithful” Servant was afraid that he hid his Master’s wealth and did not take the risk of investing it (Matthew 25:24-30). Joshua’s courage involved much more than fighting the Enemies, as great as they were. He also had the courage to deal with sin in the Camp of Israel (Joshua 7) and to challenge the Tribes to “get with it” and claim their Inheritance (Joshua 17:14-18). Sometimes it takes more courage to face our own people at home or in the Congregation than it takes to face the Enemies in the spiritual realm.
Throughout the Wilderness Journey, God is preparing Joshua for his ministry as Successor to Moses:
When Israel defeated Og, King of Bashan, Moses used that victory to encourage Joshua not to be afraid of his Enemies (Deuteronomy 3:21-28; Numbers 21:33-35).
When Moses was preparing for his death, he asked God to give the people a Leader; and God appointed Joshua (Numbers 27:12-23; Deuteronomy 31:23-29; Deuteronomy 34:9).
In his final message to Israel, Moses told the people that God would use Joshua to defeat their Enemies and help them claim their Promised Inheritance; and he also encourage Joshua to trust God and not be afraid (Deuteronomy 31:1-8). Moses laid hands on Joshua and God imparted to Joshua the spiritual power and authority he needed for his task (Deuteronomy 34:9).
Like Moses, Joshua was human and makes his fair share of mistakes; but he was still God’s Chosen, and Anointed Leader and the people knew this. That is why they said to Joshua “Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you” (Joshua 1:17). God’s people in the Church today need to acknowledge God’s Leaders and give them the respect that they deserved as the Servants of God (1Thessalonians 5:12-13). The secret of Joshua’s success was his faith in God’s Spoken Word (Rhema – Joshua 1:7-9), its Commandments and its Promises. God’s Word to Joshua was “be strong” (Joshua 1:6-7, 9, 18; Deuteronomy 31:6-7, 23); and this is His Word to His people today.
10. Joshua Begins with a Divine Call and Charge
(Joshua 1:1-9) – Consider this: It took 40 years for Joshua’s Leadership style to match the need of the moment. Moses led diplomatically. He sat and judged the people patiently as they grumbled through long years in the dessert. By the time the Israelites reached Canaan Land, fierce Enemies awaited them – and they needed a much more confrontational Leader, a military man skilled in war. Enter Joshua. Note the difference between Moses and Joshua and see how timing can dictate appropriate Leadership style:
Moses
Joshua
Led through 40 yrs of desert travel
Led through 25 yrs of conquering Canaan
Was a political, diplomatic leader
Was a military, in-your-face leader
Patiently listened to complaints
Confronted laziness and fear of the Enemy
Led people as a peace-making Shepherd
Led people as a tough Commander
Provided water from a rock when the People got thirty
Told the people to dig their own wells when they got thirsty
11. Joshua’s Obedience Sets the Pace
(Joshua 5:13-15) – Look at every phase of Joshua’s life, and you see a man who gives himself wholeheartedly to completing whatever task was assigned to him:
The first time Joshua appears in Scripture, we see him immediately obeying the instruction of Moses in Exodus 17:9-10 “And Moses said unto Joshua, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So, Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, and Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.” Thereafter, Joshua took on the role of Moses’ Minister (Assistant).
Joshua again displayed his obedience when he agreed to spy out the Promised Land. Upon his return from the reconnaissance (Numbers 13 & 14) mission, he (Joshua), and Caleb, alone among the Spies, were ready to obey God and enter Canaan Land, to claim Israel’s Inheritance.
Forty years later when Moses handed the reins of power to his Protégé, Joshua again obeyed the Call (Joshua 1:5-11)
In the end, the people of Israel followed Joshua’s example and did what God asked of them – and as a result inherited the Land God had promised. Scripture says that “Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua” (Joshua 23:31). When the people followed Joshua’s lifelong example of obedience, they prospered. By the time of his death, Joshua was known simply as “the Servant of the LORD” (Joshua 24:29; Judges 2:7, 8). That is high praise!
While today we consider Joshua an exceptional Leader, nowhere does Scripture describe him as a man of extraordinary might, intellect, or talent. What made him extraordinary was his obedience. And when you’re the Servant of the LORD, that’s all we really need.
Exodus 17:14 “And the Lord said unto Moses, write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua; for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven,” indicates that God had chosen Joshua for a special work in the future. Unknown to Joshua, the battle with Amalek was a testing time when God was examining his faith and courage. Marsden commented: “Make every occasion a great occasion, for you can never tell when someone may be taking your measure for a larger place.” Joshua’s conflict with Amalek was the preparation for many battles he would fight in the Promised Land.
7. Joshua’s Loyalty
Joshua was jealous not only for God’s Glory but also for the honour and authority of Moses. This is a good characteristic for the Servant to have, and it showed up when God sent His Spirit upon the Seventy Elders, Moses had chosen to assist him in his work (Numbers 11:16-30). – when the Spirit of the LORD came upon Eldad and Medad in the camp, two men who had not assembled with the other Elders at the Tabernacle, Joshua protested and asked Moses to stop them from prophesying (for a New Testament parallel, see Luke 9:49-50). This called forth Moses’ magnanimous reply: “Would that all the people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them” (Numbers 11:29). It is worth noting that when the inheritance was allotted after the conquest of the Promised Land, Joshua took his share last (Joshua 19:49-51).
8. Joshua’s Delay
Hebrews 6:12 “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” (NIV). When Israel arrived at Kadesh Barnea, on the border of the Promised Land, God commanded Moses to appoint twelve men to spy out the Land of Canaan – Joshua was among them (Numbers 13). After forty days of investigating the Land, the Spies returned to Moses and reported that the Land was indeed a good Land (Numbers 13:27), but ten of the spies discouraged the people by saying that Israel was not strong enough to overcome the Enemies (Numbers 13:28-33), while two of the Spies – Joshua and Caleb encouraged the people to trust God and move into the Land (Numbers 13:30; 14:6-9). Sadly, the people listened to the faithless ten Spies. It was the act of unbelief and rebellion that delayed the conquest of the Land for forty years (Numbers 14:29-34). The crisis revealed some fine Leadership qualities in Joshua. He was not blind to the realities of the situation, but he did not allow the problems and difficulties to rob him of his Faith in God (Numbers 14:6-9).
The ten Spies looked at God through the difficulties (Numbers 13:33), while Joshua and Caleb looked at the difficulties through what they knew about God. Israel’s God is Powerful for the battles that lay ahead (Numbers 14:7-9). Knowing he was right; Joshua was not afraid to stand up against the majority. Joshua, Moses and Caleb stood alone and risked their lives in so doing (Numbers 14:10a); but God stood with them (Numbers 14:10b). It has well said that “one with God is a majority.” It would take that kind of courage for Joshua to lead Israel into their Promised Land (Canaan Land) so they could defeat their Enemies and claim their Inheritance.
It is through faith and patience that we inherit what God has promised (Hebrews 6:12). Had the people of Israel listened to Joshua and Caleb, they would have entered their Inheritance (Numbers 13:26 to14:10). The years of blessing in the Promised Land that Joshua forfeited because the people had no faith in God.
But Joshua patiently stayed with Moses and did his job, knowing that one day he and Caleb would get their promised Inheritance (Numbers 14:1-9). Both Joshua and Caleb patiently endured the trials of the Wilderness Wandering for forty years because they knew they would one day enter into and claim their Inheritance in the Promised Land.
Leaders must know not only how to win victories but also how to accept delay. Joshua and Caleb must have encouraged each other during the 40 years of Wilderness delay. Year by year, for forty years, they saw the older Generation, those 20 years and above, die (Numbers 14:29), but each year brought them closer to their Inheritance of the Promised Land (c/f Hebrews 10:22-25). In their unbelief, the earlier Generation of the children of Israel rejected “the work of faith” and refused to enter the Promised Land; but they could not rob Joshua of his “patience of hope” (1Thessalonians 1:3). A Leader must learn to wait. Often his Followers do not always see as far as the Leader sees or has faith to believe.
The vision of future – Proverbs 29:18a “Where there is no vision (revelation), the people cast off restraint,” NIV) is what motivates a true Leader; but, like Israel, too often the people are looking back. I suppose every Leader has at one time or another identified with Jesus when He said: “O unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I stay with you and put up with you” (Luke 9:41, NIV). On more than one occasion Joshua witnessed Moses pouring out his heart to the LORD because of the unbelief and stubbornness of the people.
1 Peter 5:5 “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (NIV) – Joshua knows how to submit to authority. As Leader of the Jewish Nation, he followed Moses’ orders and defeated the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16). As Moses’ “Assistant” (Minister) for many years (Exodus 24:13), Joshua stayed with his Master, Moses, and served him faithfully.
God’s pattern for Leadership is summarised in Matthew 25:21“His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of the Lord.” Good and Faithful Servanthood still stands today. When the Servant proved himself faithful as the Servant over a few things, then God can make him Ruler over many things. Joshua was able to give orders because he had learned to take orders. Joshua has submitted, with obedient to God, through the authority of Moses until the death of Moses.
The key verse in Joshua’s life was: “Be careful to obey all the law My servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7, NIV).
This is reinforced with Joshua 11:15 “As the Lord commanded Moses, His servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses.”
Point 5 – Joshua’s Warfare Experience
Exodus 17:8-13 “The came Amalek and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, choose us out men, and go out, fight with the Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand. So, Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. and Joshua vanquished Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.” The first official recorded act of Joshua in Scripture is his defeat of the Amalekites when they attacked Israel about two months after Israel’s exodus from Egypt (Exodus 17:8-16). Moses was the Prophet and Legislator (Deuteronomy 34:10), and Joshua was “a General” with exceptional military skills. He was also a man of great courage, who was not afraid to confront the enemy and trust God for victory. Where did Joshua learn to use a sword and to command an Army? Certainly, he was especially gifted by God, but even gifts must be discovered and developed in an earthly setting. Had Joshua in some way been involved with the Egyptian Army and received his early training in its ranks? This is possible, though the Scripture is silent, and we must not read too much into it. Just as Moses refused the high position in Pharaoh’s Palace where he received his education there (Hebrews 11:24-26; Acts 7:22), so Joshua may have turned down Army position that he might identify with his people and serve God, this may just be an assumption with no scriptural proof.
Joshua was born into Egyptian slavery and knew what it was to suffer. In Exodus 3:7-9, Scripture records the Jews experienced great affliction in Egypt and cried out to God for deliverance. The Hebrews had the Prophetic Words of encouragement while they were, in bondage, in Egypt:
God Promised to Abraham that his Descendant would inherit the Land (Genesis 12:7; Genesis 15:18-21).
God Promised of Deliverance from bondage (Genesis 15:14).
God reiterated His Promise of His Presence to the Nation of Israel (Exodus 6:6-8).
Joseph’s word concerning Israel’s deliverance and possession of the Promised Land (Genesis 50:22-26).
God’s pattern for life is that suffering must come before glory. This was true of the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 24:26; 1Peter 1:11; Philippians 2:6-11), and it is true for His (God’s) Servant (1Peter 4:13; 5:10) – 1Peter 5:10 “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (NIV). When His Servant suffers in God’s Will and depends on His grace, that suffering has a maturing and purifying effect on his life.
Sadly, we have too many Leaders today, in Christendom, who proudly display their medals, but they cannot show us their scars. Jesus’ Calvary wounds are now glorified in Heaven, an eternal reminder that suffering and glory goes together in God’s Purpose. Suffering sometimes makes people bitter. But when suffering is mixed with Faith and God’s Grace, then it becomes a wonderful “way” for building godly character (2Corinthians 12:1-10). When God’s Servant accepts suffering as a moulding process in fulfilling God’s Purpose, then suffering can work in His (God’s) Servant and for the Servant to accomplish His Will.
Point 3 – Joshua’s Faithfulness
1Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”Definition – A Faithful Person is one who can be relied on, accountable, steadfast in affection or allegiance, firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty. The Person is trustworthy; one who shows himself faithful in business transactions, carrying out of commands or the discharge of official duties; conscientious, accountable. Exodus 24:13 “And Moses rose up, and his Servant, Joshua; and Moses went up into the Mount of God,” Joshua is called Moses’ Servant (Minister), which indicated that Joshua was now an official assistant to Moses, the Leader of Israel.
Joshua accompanied Moses to the Mount and went with him when he judged the people for making the golden calf (Exodus 32:17). It was not enough that Joshua be a good Warrior; he also had to know the God of Israel and the Law God gave His people to obey. The secret of Joshua’s victories was not so much his military skill but his submission to God (Joshua 1:8) and to God’s Word (Joshua 5:13-15). Joshua was not only a man of faith and courage, but he was also a man of unqualified obedience both to Moses his Leader and to God (Exodus 17:8-10; 24:13-18 with Exodus 32:15-18; Numbers 27:18; Deuteronomy 34:9).
The Book of Joshua is not a biography of Joshua in the strictest sense, but it certainly reveals to us a great deal about this Godly man, Joshua. Like the rest of the OT, this Book was written both to warn us(I Corinthians 10:11) and to encourage us (Romans 15:4). Therefore, we ought to take time to review Joshua’s life and ministry and learn from him lessons that will help us know the Lord God and serve Him more effectively.
Joshua represents and encourages every Second-Generation Leader. He did not establish the Nation of Israel, Moses did. But Joshua succeeded Moses respectfully and naturally on Moses’ death (Joshua 1:1-2; Numbers 27:15-23; Deuteronomy 34:9). He finished the work Moses could not complete and led the people of Israel to victory in the Promised Land. Joshua challenges us to lay hold of God’s Promises and walk in His victory despite adversities. We will learn several valuable lessons from this Leader, Joshua.
During Moses’ day, God patiently waited for the New Generation to mature so He (God) could lead them into the Promised Land. By the time Joshua takes over, God speaks in a straightforward manner to Israel’s Commanding Officer, Joshua. God had grown weary of His people’s disobedience, hesitance, and complaints. God challenges Joshua not to swerve to the right or to the left, but to do all that He commanded. Joshua must not compromise but fulfil everything (Joshua 1:1-9). Clearly, we see God leads in the new and appropriate style for the times. His people were entering the season in which they needed to act as a military unit, so both God and Joshua provide direction in a military style. Lessons in Leadership:
Difficult times demand a different style of Leadership
Good Leaders help their people remember past blessings and Divine Victories
Leaders must be willing to take risks and pay the price, courage elicits commitment
Compromise on your methods, but never on your Convictions or Principles
Good Leaders do whatever it takes to get the job done.
Joshua’s Preparation
From Exodus 3 to Deuteronomy 34, the Bible focuses attention on the life and ministry of Moses, God’s chosen Servant to lead the Nation of Israel. But Moses died; and though he (Moses) is not forgotten (Moses is named 57 times in the Book of Joshua and his official title “Servant of the LORD” is mentioned 13 times), Joshua took over the place of Moses – Joshua 1:1-2 (KJV) “Now after the death of Moses, the Servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke unto Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses My Servant, is dead; now therefore arise, go over the Jordan, thou and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the Children of Israel.” – Joshua is called the “Servant of the LORD” (Joshua 24:29; Judges 2:8). God buries His Servant (Moses), but His work goes on. We should note that this change in Leadership carries with it a tremendous spiritual lesson for Believers who want to experience God’s best in their lives. God’s Word exhorts us to honor the elderly in our midst: “Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere God, I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:32, NIV).
Point 1 – Joshua’s Preparation
We will never be able to lead others into victory if we do not walk in it ourselves. Every area of victory that results from trials we have personally endured can be applied to the lives of others. There is no “hard place” that the Believer walks through (if yielded to God) that will be in vain. God always places “new deposits” in us through struggles that brings God’s life and encouragement to others. When God wants to accomplish something, He prepares His Servant for the task and prepares the task for His Servant. God spent many years preparing Joshua for his ministry. He was born into slavery in Egypt and was given the name Hoshea (Numbers 13:8), which means “Salvation.” Moses later changed it to Joshua (Numbers 13:16). Joshua means “Jehovah is Salvation,” which is the Hebrew form of “Jesus” (Matthew 1:21; Acts 7:45; Hebrews 4:8). When his (Joshua’s) Parents gave him the name “Hoshea (Salvation)” they were bearing witness to their faith in God’s Promise of Redemption (Genesis 15:12-16; 50:24-26). Joshua belonged to the Tribe of Ephraim and was the firstborn son of Nun (1Chronicles 7:20-27). This meant that his life was in danger the night of Passover, but he had faith in the LORD and was protected by the blood of the lamb (Exodus 11-12). While in Egypt, Joshua saw the Signs and Wonders that God performed (Exodus 7-12) and he knew that Jehovah (The LORD) is God of Power who would care for His People. The LORD has defeated the gods of Egypt and demonstrated that He alone is the God of Israel (Exodus 12:12; Numbers 33:4) – Joshua saw the LORD opened the Red Sea to lead the Children of Israel crossed, on dry land, and then close the waters and drowned the pursuing Egyptians Army (Exodus 14-15). Joshua is a man of faith who knew the LORD and trusted Him to do Wonders for His People. The LORD prepares Joshua in three periods:
Forty Years in Egypt.
Forty Years in the Wilderness wandering with Moses and the First Generation of the Children of Israel (Numbers 14:29, 30b, 32 -35).
Twenty-five Years in subduing the Seven Nations in the Promised Land – the Canaanites, the Amorite, the Hittites, the Perizzite, the Hivite, the Jebusite (Exodus 33:2) and the Gibeonites (Joshua 9). Joshua died at the age of 110 years old (Joshua 24:29).
Romans 9:1 “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit.” Conscience is subjected to God’s Word; as the Individual walks in the Light of God’s Word; the Blood of Christ purges his conscience from dead work (Hebrews 9:14). Romans 9:1, Paul links conscience with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works with the Person’s Conscience, as he does not resist the Holy Spirit’s conviction on his conscience; he submits his conscience to the Holy Spirit and allows the Blood of Christ to cleanse and purge him. The Holy Spirit brings the Person’s Conscience in line with God’s Word as the Conscience is fallible, but the Word of God is Infallible. To maintain a Good Conscience, the Person needs to listen to and obey the Holy Spirit’s Voice. The Holy Spirit works on and through the Conscience; Spirit comes to convict and to convince to reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgement (John 16:7-11). Conscience must be subjected to God’s Word and God’s Spirit, and continuously cleansed by Christ’s Blood (Hebrews 9:14).
1.1 Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness is Conscience governed by God’s Word and God’s Spirit and cleanses by the Blood of Christ; whereas unbelieve and evil Conscience goes together – Titus 1:15 (NKJV) “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience.” Faith (“body of truth – sound {healthy} teaching”) and Good Conscience goes together 1Timothy 1:5 “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith (body of truth).” The Person should be conscientious in “little things”so that he can graduated to “bigger things” in God (Luke 16:10-13). The Person’s Conscience adjusts itself to the “standard” the Person holds; thus, Paul speaks of:
Purged Conscience (Hebrews 9:14).
“Conscience void of offense toward God and toward men” (Acts 24:16). Conscience needs to be exercised; being conscientious about “little things.”
Jeremiah 6:15; Jeremiah 8:12; Ezra 9:6 – Jeremiah 6:15, after describing the sins at the house of Judah:
Jeremiah 6:15 (KJV) “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush; therefore, they shall fall among them that fall; at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.”
Ezra 9:6(KJV) “And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God; for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.
Webster’s Dictionary
Defines “Blush” = To redden in the cheeks or over the face as from a sense of guilt, shame, confusion, modesty, or embarrassment. When the Person’s Conscience is at work and is loaded with guilt, it makes the Person blushes. The cause of blushing is the blood. The blood relates to the Person’s Conscience and causes blushing. However, NOT all blushing is the result of the guilty conscience.
Christ’s Blood
Hebrews 9:14“How much more shall the Blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” – The Blood of Jesus purges the Person’s Conscience, getting rid of guilt. Human blood reveals the Guilty Conscience; but the Blood of Christ purges the Person’s Guilty Conscience so that he can serve God with a Good Conscience.
Walking in the Light
1John 1:7 “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” – The opposite is true, if the Person does not walk in the light as Jesus is in the Light, the Blood of Christ does not cleanse the Person from his sin, or guilty conscience. The Blood of Christ works with the Light. The Blood is rendered inoperative if the Person intentionally walks in darkness. He cannot use the Blood of Christ as an excuse for continuous sinning. To maintain Good Conscience and Faith (“body of truth – sound {healthy} teaching”), he should continue to walk in the Light of God’s Word. Paul declares: “And in this do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16).
(John 8:3-11) – The Scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in the very act of adultery – John 8:3a (NKJV) “Then the Scribes and Pharisees brought to Him (Jesus) a woman caught in adultery.” They brought the adulterous woman without the male adulterer (which is against the Law – Leviticus 20:10) to Jesus as He was teaching in the Temple precincts – John 8:2, 3b (NKJV) “Now early in the morning He (Jesus) came again into the temple, and all the people came to him; and He sat down and taught them…….And they had set her (the adulterous woman) in the midst.”
The Confrontation
The Scribes and the Pharisees represented the Law of Moses – they uphold Moses by presenting the adulterous woman to Jesus (“Grace and Truth” Personified – John 1:17) and wanted to know what Jesus has to say: John 8:4, 5 (NKJV) “They said to Him (Jesus), ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the Law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” The Scribes and the Pharisees set out “to trap” and to accuse Jesus of not fully upholding the Mosaic Law – John 8:6a (NKJV) “This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him.” The Scribes and Pharisees professed to uphold the Law of Moses and used it against Jesus (“Grace and Truth” Personified – John 1:17). Jesus stooped down and began to write on the ground (John 8:6b); He made as though He did not hear them, as He (Jesus) knew their motives, as He knew the heart of them (John 2:24, 25). The Scribes and Pharisees kept at Jesus – John 8:7a (NKJV) “So when they continued asking Him.” Jesus stood up and challenged them: John 8:7b (NKJV) “He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘he who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” Jesus stood again and continued writing on the ground (John 8:8).
The Conviction
Jesus now gave the challenge depended on God’s Word (Jesus is God’s Word Personified – Revelation 19:13; John 1:1; 1John 1:1) to bring conviction of sin on the Scribes and Pharisees (John 16:8-11). The Scribes and the Pharisees, after hearing Jesus’ challenge, were convicted in their conscience left one by one from the oldest to the last – John 8:9a (NKJV) “Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last” (Romans 2:12-16, 22a). Jesus was left with the adulterous woman, none of the Scribes and the Pharisees picked up the stone to stone her – John 8:9b (NKJV) “And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”
Grace and Truth
The Scribes and the Pharisees were convicted in their conscience by Jesus’ Word (Jesus is God’s Word Personified – Revelation 19:13; John 1:1; 1John 1:1) and the Law of Conscience (Romans 2:14-15; John 8:9b); then, Jesus stood up and saw that the Scribes and the Pharisees have all left and asked the woman: “Where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” (John 8:10). Although the woman was guilty of the adulterous affair, nevertheless, the Law cannot condemn her alone without the adulterous man – Leviticus 20:10b (NKJV) “The adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.” The woman answered Jesus: “No one Lord!” (John 8:11a). The grand climax of this episode; here we see “Grace and Truth” Personified in Jesus – Jesus said to her: “Neither do I condemn you” (John 8:11b) – Jesus did not condemn her because she has already been judged by the Law of Moses, when the Scribes and Pharisees brought her before a Rabbi (Jesus) – Jesus spoke His forgiveness, that is Grace; but Jesus added: “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11c) – that is Truth. Grace and Truth met together in perfect balance in the Person of Jesus Christ: John 1:17b (NKJV) “But grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (Psalm 85:10). This principle is also found in the Pauline Romans Epistle: “Moreover, the Law entered that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more; so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord…….What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! (God forbids! KJV). How shall we who have died to sin live any longer therein” (Romans 5:20, 21; 6:1, 2, 15, NKJV); if Jesus had only said, “Neither do I condemn you,” without adding “Go and sin no more” – the woman could have taken Jesus’ statement as saying that Jesus did not condemn her for her adulterous act, and that she could go on living an adulterous lifestyle. Jesus applied both “Grace and Truth” to the woman, because Jesus is “Grace and Truth” (1John 1:17b). Grace always reigns through righteousness but is joined to Truth; Grace is never divorced from Truth – this is sound theology!!
2Timothy 1:2-3 “To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: grace, mercy and peace, from God, the Father and Christ Jesus, our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with Pure Conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day.” When an Individual received the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour, and is washed by the Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, his Conscience is purified and he has “a Pure Conscience” – Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the Blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, Cleanse your Conscience from dead works to serve the Living God?”
Pure Conscience is maintained by good relationship with all People – 2Timothy 1:2-3 “To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: grace, mercy and peace, from God, the Father and Christ Jesus, our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day.”
The Person with a Pure Conscience is aware of himself in all the relationship of life, especially ethical relationships. Paul could thank God for the opportunity to serve. Paul also declares that:
Paul has lived all his life in all good conscience before God – Acts 23:1 “Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, ‘Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.’”
Paul has always exercised himself to have a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men – Acts 24:16 “This being so, I myself always exercise (strive – NKJV) to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.”
A person, to be effective, must maintain “a pure-conscience,” in all relationship, without hidden motives – Cleanse (Pure) Conscience – Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God?”
3. Guilty Conscience
For the born-again Christian, there are two things that bring about “guilty conscience” – (a) Violation of the Law of God – God’s Written Word; (b) Violation of God’s Principles in His Written Word (1Timothy 5:17-25). For example: Prophet Samuel’s Ministry represents God’s Word and the Spirit (1Samuel 2:35 c/f 1Samuel 2:1,3); he (Samuel) confronted both King Saul and King David on their sins; but each respond to the conviction of guilt, differently:
King Saul – Saul failed because of: (1) Violation of God’s Word (1Samuel 10:8; 1Samuel 13:9) – King Saul assigned the blame to the People and Samuel’s late coming (1Samuel 13:11); (2) King Saul rebelled against God’s Commandment when he failed to totally destroy the Amalekites (1Samuel 15:1-33); when confronted with it, he expresses remorse rather than repentance – 1Samuel 15:30 “Then he said, ‘I have sinned; yet honour me now, please, before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD your God.” King Saul was more interested in his honour than true repentance.
King David (2Samuel 11-12) – David has violated two Commandments of the Ten-Commandment: (1) Committing adultery with Bathsheba; (2) Murder Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband. When David was confronted by Prophet Nathan, he repented and sought God’s forgiveness – Psalm 51:1-4 “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.”
4. Defiled Conscience
Conscience is not infallible, it can be perverted – defiled – 1Corinthians 8:7b “Their conscience, being weak, is defiled.” And Titus 1:15 “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscienceare defiled.” A Defiled Conscience has the following characteristics:
A resistance to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
A suppression of feeling of guilt, with Scripture.
Lowering of moral standard; however NOT all the lowering of moral standard is the result of defiled Conscience.
Confusion of mind – rationalization, finding Scripture to justify one’s actions. However, NOT all confusion of mind is the result of defiled Conscience.
Guilty conscience leads to “the law of works” – Romans 3:27b “By what law? Of works?…..”– Adam and his wife made “fig-leaves” covering to make themselves presentable to God (“self-righteous” – Genesis 3:7).
Depression, fear, and grief; however, NOT all depression, fear and grief are the result of defiled Conscience.
Bad behaviour – erratic behaviour. However, NOT all bad behaviour – erratic behaviour are the result of defiled Conscience.
Rejection of Authority. However, NOT all rejection of Authority is the result of defiled Conscience.
Rejection of God’s truth, rejection of excellence. However, NOT all rejection of God’s truth and rejection of excellence are the result of defiled Conscience.
Rejection of self, cannot believe oneself. However, NOT all rejection of self, cannot believe oneself are the result of defiled Conscience.
Rejection of God. However, NOT all rejection of God is the result of defiled Conscience.
Self-deception – There is nothing worse than being self-deceived. However, NOT all self-deception is the result of defiled Conscience.
5. Seared Conscience
Constant violation of Conscience results in “Seared Conscience” – 1Timothy 4:2 “Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own Conscience Seared with a hot iron.” It is not that Conscience is dead, but Conscience ceased to function in the effective/normal way, because Conscience’s Voice is constantly silenced, refused and hardened against. If the Person with a Guilty Conscience consistently rejects Conscience’s Voice, and stubbornly acts against the Conviction of Conscience and Conscience’s better knowledge, hardening himself with his own reasons, the Voice of Conscience is smothered, and all restraints of sound-reasoning is removed. This brings about “a deadening” of the Conscience an utter stifling of the Voice of self-condemnation, and a complete surrendering to the dominion of self-justification. The downward steps are:
Guilty Conscience – John 8:9 “Being convicted by their own conscience.”
Defiled Conscience – Titus 1:15 “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.” (1Corinthians 8:7b).
Seared Conscience – 1Timothy 4:2 “Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” Sear (Gk: “kausteriazo”) = To burn in with a branding iron, branded, cauterised, resulting in loss of sensitivity, because of the constant violation.
6. Evil Conscience
Hebrews10:22 “An evil conscience.” An evil Conscience is the conscience that is burdened with “unpardoned guilt” within the Individual. This can only be purged by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ – Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the Blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your Conscience from dead works to serve the Living God?”
B. Conscience Judgement
Conscience’s Judgement is unbiased because Conscience applies “the standard” (norm) that is in the Person’s heart:
1. Final and Unbiased
Conscience applies “the standard” (norm) within the Person’s heart and the judgement is final.
Conscience is a faculty given by God and it receives the information given to it and pronounces the judgement – It is unbiased.
Conscience’s judgement may not always be right, but it is final in a given situation at any particular point in time.
Because Conscience is not “the standard,” but it applies “the standard” within the Person; its judgement is Personal from Person to Person.
2. Irrefutable, Absolute & Unappealable:
Once having spoken, Conscience cannot be convinced, coaxed, or commanded to change its ruling; but it can be overruled by the Person.
Conscience may grow stronger or be argued with, defiled (1Corinthians 8:7; Titus1:15), or hardened (1Timothy 4:2), but at the moment Conscience speaks, it is unappealable. The Voice of Conscience may be altered at a later stage.
3. Unconditional, Absolute, & Explicitly:
Conscience gives its judgement but supplies no reasons – It tells us whether our actions are right or wrong.
Conscience does not explain why it judges an action in a particular way.
To the Christian, the Voice of Conscience should be brought in line with God’s Word (the Scripture – the Bible).
Morning Dew . Life 