How to Avoid Being Deceived

Joshua was a man used mightily by God, but he once made a mistake we can all learn from about deception. The Gibeonites were a people Joshua and the Israelites were supposed to eradicate, but the Gibeonites were shrewd. They wore tattered clothes and pretended to be from a faraway land in hopes that Joshua would make peace with them. Instead of consulting God, Joshua made a decision based on what he saw with his natural eyes. He swore an oath of peace with the Gibeonites and was deceived. Later, he discovered the Gibeonites were close neighbors. It is important to seek God before making important decisions to avoid being deceived.