We can fall into sin’s temptation and say, “It’s not a big deal,” “no one will ever know,” or “I don’t think it’s so wrong.” We can justify sin with comments like, “it only involves me,” “I deserve it,” “no one will get hurt,” or “others have done it.” We think our sinful action will somehow be good for us and perhaps others, and that there will be a resulting blessing and will produce a positive outcome. However, all of this is far from God’s Truth who calls us to resist all forms of temptation. Some of these statements may have gone through Achan’s mind. In conquering Jericho, the people were clearly commanded not to take anything out of the city; nothing was to leave. All was to be devoted to destruction. Achan concluded this didn’t mean him; he set himself over Joshua’s authority; he thought he had a “better idea.” However, after the Israelites were defeated at Ai, God revealed that someone had sinned. Achan was identified. When confronted by Joshua, he said, “’It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I have done. When I saw… then I coveted them and took them and took them…” (Joshua 7.20-21).
Achan coveted. He wanted for himself what was not his. For a robe and some money, he and his entire family faced judgment. What he thought would bring gain brought judgment; what he thought would be good was evil; what he thought to be private has been openly recorded in Scripture for all to know. Not fleeing the temptation to sin and his uncontrolled covetousness became his ruin. Might we be continually on guard against all covetousness and deceit, against all the disingenuous temptations from the evil one, against every form of sin. Might we be ever committed to stand firm as a child of God, to live righteously, choosing to be in harmony with our Savior. And might we ever rest in knowing our Lord will always enable us to withstand all temptation and to live in a manner pleasing Him.
Enabled by Christ – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry Burlingame
My Morning Desk 