What can we learn from Achan's actions about the dangers of hidden sin? Achan’s Hidden Sin: Joshua 7:21 “When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.” What Went Wrong? A Simple Breakdown • God had clearly ordered that everything in Jericho be devoted to Him (7:1; 6:18–19). • Achan ignored that command, secretly kept what appealed to him, and buried it. • Israel’s next battle—little Ai—ended in humiliating defeat; thirty-six soldiers died. • Only when the sin was exposed and judged did God’s favor return (7:25–26). Lessons About Hidden Sin • Hidden sin is never hidden from God – “Be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23) – “Nothing is concealed that will not be disclosed.” (Luke 12:2–3) • Secret disobedience endangers others – One man’s theft cost an entire nation. – Our private choices ripple through family, church, and community (1 Corinthians 5:6). • Sin hardens the heart little by little – Achan “saw…coveted…took…hid.” The same downward spiral appears in James 1:14–15. – Psalm 19:12 asks God to cleanse “hidden faults” before they grow. • Confession brings mercy; cover-ups bring ruin – “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13) – Compare Psalm 32:3-5: silence produced misery; confession brought relief. • God’s holiness demands decisive action – Israel removed the devoted things and the offender (7:24-26). – In Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira learned the same sobering truth in the early church. Practical Takeaways for Today 1. Guard the eyes: temptation often begins with a glance. 2. Deal quickly with any compromise—before it spreads. 3. Invite accountability; hidden places in our lives need light. 4. Remember the cross: Christ bore the judgment our sin deserves, opening the way for honest repentance and restored fellowship (1 John 1:7-9). A Closing Snapshot Achan’s buried treasures looked harmless enough, yet they cost him everything. God’s people thrive in transparent obedience, not secret stash-pits of rebellion. Let’s walk in the light, trusting the Lord who sees, forgives, and empowers us to live openly before Him. |
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