🔥 Fatal Connections or Faithful Friends? Who’s in Your Camp?

Know the Difference Between a Joshua and an Achan

Not everyone who walks beside you is worthy to walk with you. There’s a difference between a Joshua—the one appointed by God to lead you into victory—and an Achan—the one whose hidden compromise can cost you the promise. The question is: Who’s in your camp?

In Joshua 7, after the Lord gave Jericho to Israel, He had commanded that everything under the ban be set apart—either for destruction or for the Lord’s treasury, as stated in Joshua 6:17–18 (CSB):

"But the city and everything in it are set apart to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and everyone with her in the house will live because she hid the men we sent." "But keep yourselves from the things set apart, or you will be set apart for destruction. If you take any of those things, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and make trouble for it."

But Achan couldn’t resist the lure of silver, gold, and a beautiful Babylonian robe. He took what was forbidden and hid it in his tent, thinking no one would know.

“The Israelites, however, were unfaithful regarding the things set apart for destruction. Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart, and the Lord’s anger burned against the Israelites.” Joshua 7:1 (CSB)

But God saw. And the next time Israel went to battle—at Ai—they were defeated. Thirty-six men died, and even Joshua, God’s faithful servant, fell on his face in confusion. The entire nation felt the weight of one man’s disobedience.

God’s words to Joshua were clear:

“Israel has sinned... That is why they cannot stand against their enemies” (Joshua 7:11–12).

Achan’s sin was personal—
but it carried national consequences. 

This is a wake-up call.

You can be anointed, obedient, and in the center of God’s will, but if there’s an Achan hidden in your camp—someone with secret rebellion, dishonesty, or divided loyalty—the entire mission can be stalled, and the blessing paused.

 The Spirits That Influenced Achan

Achan wasn’t just tempted by shiny objects—he was influenced by destructive spiritual forces:

• Spirit of Greed – A hunger for wealth that blinded him to obedience.

• Spirit of Disobedience – Willfully rejecting God's command, even after seeing Jericho fall by divine power.

• Spirit of Deception – Hiding stolen goods in secret, hoping no one would find out.

• Spirit of Rebellion – An inward refusal to trust God's way, placing his own desires above the command of the Lord.

• Spirit of Contamination – His sin brought a curse over the whole camp, proving how one person’s compromise can defile many.

Now, contrast that with the story in Mark 2:1–12. A paralyzed man is carried by four friends who refuse to be stopped. When they can't get through the crowd, they tear through the roof and lower their friend down to Jesus.

“When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” 

That man was healed not because of his own strength or effort, but because of the faith of the friends in his camp.

Real friendship is a rare and precious gift—one that carries weight in both joyful seasons and battles. Proverbs 17:17 reminds us that

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.” 

In other words, a true friend isn’t just someone who shows up when everything is good—they’re born for your storms. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 paints the same picture, saying,

“Two are better than one... for if either falls, his companion can lift him up.” 

But it adds a sharp warning too:

“Pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.” 

That kind of loneliness isn’t just sad—it’s dangerous. The sweetness of a faithful friend, as Proverbs 27:9 says, is like oil and incense to the heart—reviving, soothing, and better than any advice we give ourselves. And perhaps most importantly, a real friend loves you enough to correct you. Proverbs 27:6 boldly declares,

“The wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.” 

Flattery might feel good in the moment, but it’s the friend who speaks truth—even when it hurts—who’s truly looking out for your soul. These aren’t just feel-good connections. They’re the kind of friends who carry you to Jesus, tear through roofs if they have to, and speak life over your future. Choose them wisely—because real friends won’t let you fall and stay down. They’ll lift you, sharpen you, and fight for you in faith.

 The Spirit-Filled Friends You Want

We should surround ourselves with—those walking in the fruit of the Spirit kind of friends (Galatians 5:22–23):

• Love – They care more about your soul than their ego.

• Joy – They lift your spirit even in hard seasons.

• Peace – They don’t stir chaos, they carry calm.

• Patience – They walk with you when the healing is slow.

• Kindness & Goodness – They speak truth with grace, never with malice.

• Faithfulness – They show up, stand strong, and stay honest.

• Gentleness – They correct you in love, not with a hammer.

• Self-control – They resist temptation, even when no one’s watching.

_____So here is the dividing line_____

Achan’s secrecy brings defeat. Joshua’s obedience brings blessing. The paralyzed man’s friends bring healing. So again—who is in your camp? 

Are they walking in the fear of the Lord or hiding things behind closed doors? Are they willing to carry you when you're weak, or will they compromise when you're not looking? Will they fight beside you, or secretly be the reason you’re losing battles?

It’s not judgment—it’s discernment. Proverbs 27:17 says,

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” 

But iron can’t sharpen wood. You need the right people. Not just loyal people—loyal to the Lord, not just to you. Because if it can happen to Joshua, it can happen to anyone. And if a healing can be delivered through the faith of four friends, then your breakthrough might just depend on who’s standing beside you.

Amanda Allen, the author of Kingdom Revelations, holds the copyright to her work, art, graphics, and videos. Copyright © Amanda Allen, Kingdom Revelations, 2025. All rights reserved. This article may be shared with acknowledgment of the author and the original source.