Hidden Sin
So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent, and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath. They took the things from the tent, brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites and spread them out before the Lord.
- Joshua 7:22-23
What is hidden in your tent? Is it a love of money? Is it an addiction? Is it a love of yourself—selfishness, self-centeredness, self-absorption? Whatever it is, it is time to get the sin out!
When Joshua learned who was responsible for the defeat at Ai, he and the Israelites took decisive action. They did not rationalize or excuse Achan’s sin, for God said that anyone guilty would be destroyed by fire (see Joshua 7:15).
We cannot counsel ourselves out of sinning, and we can’t excuse, rationalize or reason our way out of the penalties of sin...the sin has to die. It has to be nailed to the cross and covered by the blood of Jesus. It has to come out—from the root. What is at the root of your sin?
Achan probably thought he could have what he wanted and still be close to God, but he lost his life and all his possessions. Look closely at your life today.
Ask God to show you what needs to be removed from your tent. Is the cost of holding on to the sin worth it?
Further Reading
- Joshua 7
- Matthew 5:29-30
- Mark 5:43-47
