In Joshua 9, Israel wins battles on the battlefield but stumbles in the conference room. The Gibeonites don’t defeat Israel with swords or strength, but with worn clothes, stale bread, and a convincing story. And the most dangerous line in the chapter may be this: “They did not ask counsel from the Lord.”
In this episode of The Pursuit of Manliness, we wrestle with why deception so often works on us as men. Why do we trust appearances, rush decisions, and rely on our own judgment—especially after seasons of victory? Joshua 9 exposes how spiritual confidence can quietly turn into self-reliance, and how failing to slow down and seek the Lord can lead to long-term consequences.
This episode challenges men to examine where they may be operating on assumption instead of prayer, instinct instead of obedience, and confidence instead of humility. True strength isn’t found in quick decisions—it’s found in dependence on the Lord who sees what we cannot.
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