4 - The Conflict Behind All Conflicts | Lessons of Faith from Joshua

All human problems arise from belief. The mind thrives on information, and the information he believes determines his actions – and thus also his body. In order to form thoughts from words, writings, images, experiences, etc., a standard is required. Belief is then the absorption of information.

But there is also a counterfeit of belief – presumption. It also takes in information. The difference to true belief is that it is based on a subjective standard instead of an objective one. Furthermore, true belief takes time and place into account, while presumption ignores this. Belief, whether true or false, is always based on trust. And trust requires information that one does not have to believe.

Let us consider two places in the spirit where we believe and trust: in the heart (subconscious) and in the mind (conscience). Since our conception, we have carried a false identity in our hearts. The correct one only comes with the new birth. That is why our heart trusts the wrong person and believes their words. Salvation consists of placing our trust in God in our consciousness, interpreting His word correctly, and applying it through faith. In our consciousness, faith should change our heart and replace the false identity of “I am God” with the true one of “I am a creature.”

We also consider the events after the crossing of the Jordan: God orders circumcision, followed by Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Circumcision and, in the New Testament, the cross represent the removal of error from the heart. The Bible provides insight into the origin of self-deception in Lucifer, the angels, and man, and the solution offered by God to man. It also shows that God is not involved in the development of self-deception, but has intervened to remove evil.

The solution comes solely through the mind. There is no coexistence of truth and lies, etc. And it shows what happens to those who remain in self-deception. What all this means in detail is discussed in the fourth part of the series “Lessons of Faith from Joshua.”