March 24

Before entering the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuben and Gad and half-tribe of Manasseh requested that they be allowed to claim their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan River. While they wanted to settle their families there, the men pledged to cross over the Jordan River and help their fellow Israelites defeat their enemies in Canaan. Moses granted them their request with this promise, “if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).
As they prepared to enter into the Promised Land, Joshua told the people they were to com-pletely destroy Jericho. All the silver, gold, bronze, iron, etc. that they found was to be dedicated to the Lord. They were not to keep any of it for themselves (Joshua 6:17-19). But, a man named Achan disobeyed and hid some of these things under his tent (7:1). So, often people sin and tell themselves and others that their sin didn’t hurt anyone, but themselves. That simply is not true. Sin always has a ripple effect and no matter how secret we may think our sin is, others will be impacted by it. Not only did Achan’s entire family eventually lose their lives because of his sin (7:24-26), but so did at least 36 innocent Israelite soldiers (7:4&5).
The best advice in dealing with sin is to flee from it (James 4:7&8; Genesis 39:6-12). Satan made the fruit in the Garden very appealing to Adam and Eve and he continues to make sin very appealing to us today. But, sin has it’s consequences. Satan focuses our attention only on the pleasurable side of sin, but be sure, sin destroys those who choose to become involved with it (James 1:13-16). Just ask Achan!