"Get up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the LORD God of Israel: There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you." Joshua 7:13

God had forbidden Israel from taking any of the plunder of Jericho, but there was a man who decided to take a little for himself. The consequences for ignoring God's Word were great! When Israel attacked the next city in their conquest, God did not go with them. Israel had brought a curse upon themselves by disobeying God's Word. Even though only one man acted in disobedience, the curse was brought on them all. God tells Joshua to sanctify the people and himself, that meant they were to set themselves apart from the cursed items that were taken, they were to get right by God.

When we take things of our old life or things of this world into our new life with Christ we infect ourselves and our families with the impurities that come with those things. As children of God we must sanctify ourselves by stepping away from our old habits and ways, we must refuse to take part in the lusts of this world, for those things bring only death and destruction. God has promised great thing to us, but the lustful ways of this world will keep us from all God has for us. Step away from the lusts and desires of this world, they have no part in the blessing of God! Stay sanctified to God and allow Him to bless you in all the ways He has promised!

"For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world." 1 John 2:16