Numbers 32:20-42

“Then Moses said to them: 'If you do this thing, if you arm yourselves before the LORD for the war...'” (Numbers 32:20, NKJV)

Much of the Bible deals with warfare. We are all called into a cosmic battle between forces of good and forces of evil. In this battle, we must stand together if we hope to overcome. At first, Moses objected to the two-and-a-half tribes remaining on the east side of the Jordan River because if Israel were going to defeat the Canaanites, they would need all twelve tribes. But when Reuben and Gad said that they would go fight with their brethren until the west side of the Jordan was subdued, Moses was satisfied. He said that if they would do this, then they could take their possession on the east side of the river.

“But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23, NKJV)

Moses wouldn't be around to check up on them. If they broke their promise, then they would be sinning against the LORD, and their sin would find them out. This is the nature of sin. It will eventually take over and come out. That is why we can never really hide sin. What we are behind closed doors will eventually be revealed. What we whisper in the bedroom will be shouted from the housetops (Luke 12:3). Other people may not see, but God always sees, and He is our Judge.

One of the greatest principles in spiritual warfare is to first rule over our own spirit.

“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32, NKJV)

If sin is not to find us out, then we must deal aggressively with it. We must rule our own spirit well and put to death our sinful passions. We can never hope to pull down enemy strongholds until we've first defeated our own flesh.