30th December 2008 Travis Snode

Joshua 7 Part 1: The Lure of Secret Sin

Discipleship

 

I was reading my Bible today in Joshua about Achan and how his sin, though secret, was exposed and had serious consequences.  I hope this series of lessons on “Secret Sin” will challenge us examine our hearts for secret sins and confess them to God.

In Joshua 7, Israel had just won a great victory at Jericho. The walls fell down.  Rahab was delivered, and Joshua’s fame is noised throughout all the country.  

“But” there was sin in the camp.  After a great victory is often when the Devil will try his hardest to tempt us.  In the midst of a great victory, Satan can put the seed of sin that will destroy You.

The Lure of Secret Sin

• Secret sin allows us to sin and no one will know. (7:2)
  • Israel went up like nothing had happened. (2-3)
  • The Bible tells us that Achan saw it, took it and hid it. (7:21)
    • Seeing it was not wrong.
    • Coveting it was wrong.
    • Covetousness led to taking.
    • Our sinful thoughts will eventually lead to sinful actions.
• Secreit sin makes the false claim that it can be hid. (7:11)
  • Achan brought sin into his home.
  • He brought the cursed thing home.
  • It would be a curse that would destroy his family.
  • The thing that he thought would bring him so much pleasure would be the cause of great suffering and destruction.
• Secret sins are made sweet by the lies of Satan and the nature of the sin. (Proverbs 9:17-18, Prov 20:17)
  • The Devil tells us that it is just a robe, 200 shekels of silver, a wedge of gold (50 shekels).  Not much.  Not a lot.  Go ahead.  No one will know.  Nothing in comparison to all that is there.
  • He will say, “You have served God and followed God.  You have given a lot.  You deserve a little bit of pleasure and enjoyment.”