Vigilance Against Sin: Lessons from Achan's Disobedience
Summary
In today's message, we explored the story of Achan from Joshua chapters 6 and 7, a narrative that serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of obedience to God. Achan's story is a cautionary tale about how sin can subtly entice us, leading us down a path of destruction if we are not vigilant. The Israelites were given clear instructions by God to destroy everything in Jericho and take nothing for themselves. However, Achan disobeyed, taking a beautiful robe, silver, and gold, and hiding them in his tent. This act of disobedience brought God's anger upon Israel, resulting in their defeat at Ai and the eventual punishment of Achan and his family.
The process of sin, as illustrated by Achan's actions, begins with seeing, then coveting, taking, and finally hiding. This progression is common to all of us when we face temptation. Temptation itself is not a sin, but how we respond to it can lead us into sin. The story of Achan teaches us that sin has a price, often affecting not just the individual but also those around them. It underscores the principle that the wages of sin is death, as stated in Romans 6:23, and that sin can have far-reaching consequences.
To combat sin, we must be proactive in our spiritual lives. This involves maximizing our relationship with God, being alert to spiritual warfare, surrounding ourselves with godly influences, setting up guardrails to protect against temptation, and not allowing sin to linger in our lives. Confession and repentance are crucial in maintaining a right relationship with God, as they involve acknowledging our sins and turning back to Him. Psalm 51, David's prayer of repentance, exemplifies the heart posture we should have when seeking God's forgiveness.
As we reflect on Achan's story, let us be reminded of the importance of obedience and the need to remain vigilant against the subtle allure of sin. May we strive to live lives that are pleasing to God, walking in His light and truth.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Subtlety of Sin: Sin often begins with a simple glance or thought, but if not checked, it can lead to coveting, taking, and hiding. This progression is a common pathway for many, and it highlights the importance of vigilance and obedience to God's commands. [37:43]
2. The Consequences of Disobedience: Achan's story illustrates that sin has consequences not only for the individual but also for the community. His disobedience led to Israel's defeat and the loss of lives, reminding us that our actions can have far-reaching effects. [46:29]
3. The Importance of Confession and Repentance: Confession involves agreeing with God about our sin, while repentance is turning away from sin and towards God. This process is essential for maintaining a right relationship with God and experiencing His forgiveness. [54:58]
4. Guarding Against Temptation: Temptation is inevitable, but how we handle it is crucial. Setting up guardrails, being alert to spiritual warfare, and surrounding ourselves with godly influences can help us resist temptation and live in obedience to God. [54:12]
5. Maximizing Our Relationship with God: To overcome sin, we must prioritize our relationship with God through spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. This helps us stay close to God and strengthens us against the enemy's schemes. [49:33]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [28:21] - Introduction to Achan's Story
- [29:28] - God's Command to Israel
- [30:46] - Achan's Disobedience
- [31:39] - Consequences of Sin
- [32:43] - Achan's Temptation
- [33:23] - The Hidden Sin
- [34:04] - Israel's Defeat at Ai
- [34:43] - Joshua's Plea to God
- [35:18] - God's Response to Sin
- [36:41] - Achan's Confession
- [37:43] - The Process of Sin
- [38:41] - Understanding Temptation
- [39:29] - Handling Temptation
- [40:23] - The Price of Sin
- [44:22] - The Prescription for Sin
- [54:58] - Confession and Repentance
- [58:51] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Joshua 6:15-19
- Joshua 7:1
- Romans 6:23
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific instructions did God give to the Israelites regarding the spoils of Jericho, and how did Achan disobey these instructions? [30:46]
2. How did Achan's actions affect the entire community of Israel, and what was the immediate consequence of his sin? [34:04]
3. In the sermon, what process of sin is described through Achan's actions, and how does this relate to the common experience of temptation? [37:43]
4. What role did confession and repentance play in the story of Achan, and how was this emphasized in the sermon? [54:58]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Achan illustrate the principle that "the wages of sin is death," as mentioned in Romans 6:23? What does this mean for individuals and communities? [44:22]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that temptation is inevitable, and how should believers prepare to handle it? [39:29]
3. How does the sermon describe the importance of confession and repentance in maintaining a right relationship with God? What are the steps involved in this process? [54:58]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the impact of individual sin on a community, and how can this understanding influence personal behavior and accountability? [46:29]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you were tempted to take something that wasn't yours, whether physically or metaphorically. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Achan's story to handle similar situations in the future? [32:43]
2. Achan's sin affected the entire community. How can you ensure that your actions positively impact those around you, rather than bringing harm or consequences? [46:29]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of setting up guardrails against temptation. Identify one area in your life where you need to establish a guardrail and discuss how you can implement it this week. [54:12]
4. Confession and repentance are crucial for a right relationship with God. Is there a sin in your life that you need to confess and turn away from? What steps will you take to seek God's forgiveness and make things right? [54:58]
5. The sermon highlights the need to maximize our relationship with God through spiritual disciplines. Choose one discipline (prayer, Bible study, fellowship) to focus on this week and share how you plan to incorporate it into your daily routine. [49:33]
6. Consider the role of godly influences in your life. Who are the people that encourage you in your faith journey, and how can you strengthen those relationships to help guard against temptation? [52:32]
7. Reflect on Psalm 51 and David's prayer of repentance. How can this prayer guide you in seeking a pure heart and a steadfast spirit in your own life? [57:18]
Devotional
Day 1: The Deceptive Path of Sin
Sin often begins with a seemingly harmless thought or glance, but if left unchecked, it can lead to a destructive cycle of coveting, taking, and hiding. This progression is evident in the story of Achan, who, despite clear instructions from God, allowed his desires to lead him astray. Achan's actions serve as a reminder that sin can subtly entice us, drawing us away from obedience to God. The narrative highlights the importance of vigilance and the need to guard our hearts against the allure of sin. By recognizing the subtlety of sin, we can take proactive steps to remain obedient to God's commands and avoid the pitfalls that lead to spiritual downfall. [37:43]
James 1:14-15 (ESV): "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."
Reflection: What is one subtle temptation you face regularly, and how can you set up a practical guardrail to prevent it from leading you into sin?
Day 2: The Ripple Effect of Disobedience
Achan's story is a powerful illustration of how individual disobedience can have far-reaching consequences for the community. His decision to take what was forbidden led to Israel's defeat at Ai and the loss of lives. This narrative underscores the principle that our actions, whether good or bad, can impact those around us. It serves as a sobering reminder that sin is not a private matter; it affects our families, communities, and even our relationship with God. By understanding the communal impact of our actions, we are encouraged to live in obedience and integrity, recognizing that our choices have the power to influence others. [46:29]
1 Corinthians 5:6 (ESV): "Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?"
Reflection: Consider a recent decision you made that affected others. How can you ensure your future choices positively impact your community and align with God's will?
Day 3: The Power of Confession and Repentance
Confession and repentance are vital components of maintaining a right relationship with God. Confession involves agreeing with God about our sin, acknowledging our wrongdoing, and taking responsibility for our actions. Repentance, on the other hand, is the act of turning away from sin and returning to God. This process is essential for experiencing God's forgiveness and restoring our fellowship with Him. The story of Achan highlights the importance of addressing sin promptly and sincerely. By embracing confession and repentance, we open ourselves to God's grace and healing, allowing Him to transform our hearts and lives. [54:58]
1 John 1:9 (ESV): "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Reflection: Is there a sin you need to confess and repent of today? How can you take a step towards genuine repentance and restoration with God?
Day 4: Building Resilience Against Temptation
Temptation is an inevitable part of life, but how we respond to it determines our spiritual health. The story of Achan teaches us the importance of setting up guardrails to protect against temptation. By being alert to spiritual warfare and surrounding ourselves with godly influences, we can resist the enemy's schemes and live in obedience to God. This proactive approach involves cultivating spiritual disciplines, such as prayer and Bible study, to strengthen our relationship with God. By prioritizing our spiritual growth, we equip ourselves to withstand temptation and remain faithful to God's commands. [54:12]
1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
Reflection: What specific guardrails can you establish in your life to help you resist temptation and stay aligned with God's will?
Day 5: Deepening Our Relationship with God
To overcome sin and live a life pleasing to God, we must prioritize our relationship with Him. This involves engaging in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. By maximizing our relationship with God, we draw closer to Him and gain the strength to resist the enemy's schemes. The story of Achan serves as a reminder of the importance of staying connected to God and walking in His light and truth. As we deepen our relationship with God, we are empowered to live in obedience and experience the fullness of His grace and love. [49:33]
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Reflection: What is one spiritual discipline you can commit to this week to deepen your relationship with God and strengthen your faith?
Quotes
1) "Akin learned the hard way that sin will always take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you're willing to pay. But the thing about Akin is, he's not unusual. Akin is a reminder of how easily it is for any of us to be swept away into sin if we're not vigilant to follow the leading of God in our lives." [29:28] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Even when you think no one's watching, God is. God is. He sees everything. But the story doesn't end there. It goes from bad to worse. Because the next day, Joshua sends 3,000 troops to this little town of Ai. You may have heard it pronounced A-I. But this little town called Ai, and they go down there, and the Israelites get destroyed. I mean, they get whooped. They come running back towards Jericho with their tails between their legs, thinking what in the world has happened." [34:04] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "The process is so simple. He says, I saw, I coveted, I took, and then I hid it. The same process that every single one of us will walk through because this is the way of temptation. This is the way of sin. And so very quickly, I want to kind of walk through this and then I want to look at not just the pathway. I want to look at the price and I want to look at the prescription for how to deal with sin." [38:41] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Temptation, folks. Is not a sin. Everybody say that. Temptation is not a sin. Temptation is not a sin. But what we do with temptation that comes our way can lead us to sin if we don't handle it swiftly, if we don't handle it correctly. So what is temptation? Temptation is the demonic baiting our flesh. From God's perspective, temptation is the opportunity to help us to grow, to help us to be more dependent upon him, to strengthen us, so that we trust in his power." [39:29] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Whenever we sin, something dies. Now, you may think, oh, I did this and I didn't die. I told a lie. I didn't die. But no. But you know what did die? Your credibility died. Your integrity took a hit. And if you lied enough or you lied to the right person, that relationship could have ended. It could have been a business relationship. It could have been a friendship. It could have been a marriage because of lying." [44:59] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Sin will always, always infect and affect people around us. Therefore, we must never underestimate the amount of damage our sin can have on ourselves or on others when we choose to live outside of the will of God. And that brings us to the third thing, the prescription of sin. For sin. Now, listen very carefully. There's not one of us in this room that's sinless. That's not the point here. We're all going to make mistakes." [46:29] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "Sin is not your friend. In fact, everybody say that with me. Sin is not my friend. Do you know who is your friend? God is. God's your friend. He's your friend. He's a friend. He's a friend. He's closer than a brother. But sin is not your friend. And so choosing to walk with God on a daily basis, minute by minute, living on guard against the schemes of the devil, this is how we overcome when temptation comes our way." [47:58] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "The closer you get to the light, the more the light's going to expose the darkness around you. The farther you get from the light, the more you're going to live in darkness. So we cannot minimize. We have to maximize God. And key to this is the scripture. Listen to what Psalm 119 says. How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart. Do not let me stray from your commands." [49:33] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "We have to realize that we are in a spiritual battle. And while we can't live blaming the devil, this isn't Flip Wilson and the devil made me do it. Okay? But we also can't walk around thinking there's a demon behind every bush. But there is spiritual warfare and we are engaged and we are experiencing it every day. And that's why Paul told Timothy, excuse me, Paul told the Ephesians in Ephesians 6, he says, Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." [50:33] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10) "Don't allow sin to linger in your life. Here's what happens. When sin lingers too often in our lives, it becomes a dark friend. Because sin that lingers becomes comfortable. It becomes comfortable to us. And over time, we become inoculated to it. And so the best way to deal is when the Holy Spirit convicts us. When the Holy Spirit puts us at the top sign and says, Oh, what are you doing?" [54:12] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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