Today, let’s talk about consequences. (Sounds like fun, huh?!) Unfortunately, a lot of people mistakenly turn a blind eye to how their actions affect others. Think about it, we’re all part of a team – whether a work team, a family, a circle of friends or a community. Within that team, everyone works toward a common goal and, hopefully, a pleasant environment.

It’s impossible to go through life as an island. If you think your life has no meaning or connection to others… you’re wrong! Even little decisions affect the people around you. Most of the time it’s a minor impact, but other times it can be MAJOR.

From a spiritual standpoint, the penalty for your sins was death. And, Jesus took that death penalty for you. However, all your sins, mistakes and decisions do bring consequences for yourself – and others.

You could be guilty of any number of sins: doubt, financial worry, anxiety or fear of the future. If you are subject to any of these, I guarantee, everyone around you pays for it. Being insecure or doubting yourself, being stressed out, causes you to treat others differently. You read situations and react differently. It completely affects your relationships and personal level of happiness.

So let me share a few verses from Joshua with you. In this book, Joshua and the Israelites were fighting to take the land God promised them. And instead of doubting God, Joshua chose to stay faithful to His word. “Now the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.'” (Joshua 8:1) Because of Joshua’s faith, God fulfilled his promise.

“Then the Lord said to Joshua, ‘Stretch out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.’ So Joshua stretched out the javelin that was in his hand toward the city. The men in ambush rose quickly from their place, and when he had stretched out his hand, they ran and entered the city and captured it, and they quickly set the city on fire.” (Joshua 8:18-19)

But, one man lost sight of the huge promise and chose greed. He ended up getting stoned to death and set on fire! “Joshua said, ‘Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day.’ And all Israel stoned them with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.” (Joshua 7:25)

Sometimes, reading through Joshua, all I can think is: “Man, I’m glad we don’t live in those days!” If Joshua had surrendered to doubt, like the people of today so often do or chosen to live blindly, as if his decisions didn’t affect others, he would have failed.

If you walk in disobedience through your life, there will be suffering! Today, that suffering can be seen in your stress, anxiety and strained relationships.

Don’t be afraid to come clean and ask for forgiveness! As soon as you turn away from deliberate disobedience, there is mercy to walk through the consequences, instead of in continued torment and suffering.

I’d love to know your thoughts on today’s message. Have you experienced the consequences of your actions? Have you inflicted consequences to others, as a result of your actions? How has God shown Himself faithful in your life? Leave your comments below!

And don’t forget to join us today for our Spiritual Equipping episode of The Dani Johnson Show, to gain biblical insights for your everyday life. You can find the show on your TV and radio or stream today’s show, right here on our website.

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In great faith,

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