DON'T TRY TO HIDE YOUR SIN FROM GOD!!
- Key Verse
"The Lord said to Joshua 'Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions.'" (Joshua 7:10-11)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
If you steal, you steal against God. And don't deceive God or justify your sin to Him. Just be honest when you confess your sin to God in prayer and let Him take care of you and relieve you from your sin. Remember, God loves you!!
Reflections
One man's greed can cause a lot of damage. In this passage, one man took things that didn't belong to him and put it all with his worldly possessions, feeling that he was justified. Any time we sin and think we are justified in doing so, we step into dangerous territory.I sometimes try to justify my sins so that they will not hurt or affect my family, but it doesn't always work out that way. One example is anger or a temper towards my spouse, friend or a co-worker. I have said some ugly things - realizing that I'm sinning against God - but I'll try to justify it by saying I'm right. But in the long run, nobody is right, and a lot of damage has been done.
Joshua was distraught about the battle and then he felt shame; that's why he tore his clothes and put dust on his head. They had lost the battle because of one man's greed. Greed is such a dangerous thing! Greed is an "excessive or rapacious desire, especially for wealth or possessions." Greed has no place in a believer's life. We should share what God has given us in different ways, like tithing, helping by reaching out to the community, or pay for the next person in line's cup of coffee! We can reach out to share God's Word with the homeless, or buy that homeless person some food from What-A-Burger.
You know when you have that really great feeling after doing something for another person? I believe that's God blessing you because you put aside your fear or doubt and trusted Him as you served someone. Over time, you'll feel more comfortable stepping out and serving; you won't be able to wait for another opportunity. Praise God!
If you have sinned and have tried to justify it, either to yourself or others, get honest with God. Confess your sin and don't make any excuses. Instead of trying to hide things from God, open up your life to Him and allow Him to expose areas where you need His help and healing!
Discussion Questions
1. Has greed ever tempted you to steal, cheat or lie?2. In what ways will you defeat your own personal greed?
3. In what ways will you reach out to others?
4. When you sin, do you confess it to God to take care of it?
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Hill Country Bible Church NW.
Tim Hawks
May 18, 2012 05:33 AM
Chris, this is a disturbing passage because I can easily see myself doing the same thing Achan did and finding a way to justify it. Thanks for your openness and thought provoking devotion.
Trey
May 18, 2012 06:39 AM
Great job Chris! Praise God for you and your faithfulness.
Rob
May 18, 2012 07:05 AM
Well said Chris. We both have learned a great deal about this topic all because of God's work within our lives. Thanks for sharing this and reminding me of what's really important.
Brenda
May 18, 2012 07:16 AM
Thank you Chris for some great insight! Just think, "Try to deceive God!" Really? Praise God he has such mercy & grace for us! BTW: Thank you for all that you do!
Gerald
May 18, 2012 07:43 AM
I love the message. It also strikes home.
Jack
May 18, 2012 08:03 AM
Thanks for the Devo today! God wired us to give, we get a emotional high from it! Thanks for giving back and encouraging me today to do the same!!
Marilyn Dixon
May 18, 2012 08:23 AM
Very good devotional, Chris. Thank you for how you have served God and me by being kind to my daughter and others with disabilities.
Valerie Spradling
May 18, 2012 08:30 AM
Just like Achan, I love how God knows us individually (man by man) amongst the multitudes. He's got the ultra, mega, zoom lens on our hearts, and won't let us get away with the very thing (sin)that divides us from Him, and affects others . That's how much He cares. Praise God for His mercy and grace. Thanks for sharing Chris.
Daniel Juranek
May 18, 2012 08:52 AM
Good Morning Chris !!! Excellent Devotional and please keep up the Great work you are doing..We are all in a Stage of Recovering God's image and CR is the Place to be as well as weekly worship..Take Care My Brother ..Daniel
Russell Johnson
May 18, 2012 09:03 AM
Chris, thanks for the good word this morning about confessing our sin. Great reminder of how my sin not only effects me, but others as well.
Betsy Doolittle
May 18, 2012 09:10 AM
Chris- Thank you for your honesty and your wonderful service to our church body. Every time I see you I smile and feel thankful to the Lord for you. Your joy is so obvious to all. Just this morning I was trying to fix a computer/phone wire in my wall. I didn't need the part I had bought and tried to use from the hardware store. When I was packaging it up to return, I broke off a peice and thought, "Oh well, I can still return it. It's worth $5." I had a bit of guilt about it, but still put it on my desk with the receipt. Hah! As soon as I read your central truth, I was crushed! Thank you again, brother, for your clear yet profound words!
Chip Smith
May 18, 2012 11:38 AM
Hey Chris Buddy! Very good correlation between this passage and our personal sin. Especially pointing out the damaging effect our personal sin can have on others. Keep up the good work!