What steps can we take to avoid Achan's mistake in Joshua 7:20? Setting the Scene “ ‘It is true. I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did:’ ” (Joshua 7:20). Achan’s confession exposes a heart that saw, coveted, took, and hid (vv. 21). His actions jeopardized the entire nation, showing how private sin breeds public fallout. Understand the Seriousness of Sin • God had devoted Jericho’s plunder to destruction (Joshua 6:17–19). Disobedience invited judgment. • James 1:14–15 shows sin’s deadly progression: desire → temptation → sin → death. • Hebrews 4:13 reminds that nothing is hidden from God’s sight. Guard the Eyes and the Heart • Psalm 119:37 — “Turn my eyes away from worthless things.” • Train the mind to reject the first spark of covetousness. • Replace unhealthy curiosity with gratitude for God’s provision. Choose Immediate Obedience • Delayed obedience led Achan to rationalize. Decide before the temptation arises. • Proverbs 4:26–27 urges steady, straight paths—no detours toward evil. • Obedience keeps the conscience clear and the camp strong. Practice Contentment • 1 Timothy 6:6 — “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” • Regularly thank God for what He has supplied. Gratitude weakens greed. • Recognize that every “off-limits” object offers only counterfeit satisfaction. Stay Transparent with God • Psalm 139:23–24 — invite God’s searchlight daily. • 1 John 1:9 promises cleansing when sin is confessed promptly. • Short accounts prevent secret sins from taking root. Lean on Accountable Community • Joshua 7 shows how sin in one life affected the whole nation; likewise, community protects individuals. • Hebrews 10:24–25 encourages believers to spur one another toward love and good deeds. • Trusted friends can ask the hard questions and celebrate victories over temptation. Remember the Cost • Achan’s family suffered (Joshua 7:24–26). Sin’s fallout extends far beyond the sinner. • Christ bore sin’s ultimate penalty (2 Corinthians 5:21). Gratitude for the cross fuels holy living. • Reflect often on the high price of grace; cherished sin loses its allure. Walk in Ongoing Dependence on the Spirit • Galatians 5:16 — “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” • Daily surrender empowers resistance to hidden compromises. • The Spirit supplies wisdom, strength, and conviction, keeping hearts aligned with God’s will. By valuing obedience, cultivating contentment, maintaining transparency, and leaning on the Spirit and fellow believers, the steps above steer hearts clear of Achan’s path and preserve the joy of unbroken fellowship with the Lord. |
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