Is there such a thing as a small sin? Achan disobeyed the commandment of the LORD and took some of the devoted things from the spoils of Jericho. Because of this, the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel. Perhaps Achan thought it was no big deal. He saw the cloak from Shinar, the silver, and the gold and took them for himself and hid them. He followed the dreadful pattern we are all familiar with. James writes, "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." Sin in our lives is not to be trifled with. Our God is a holy God, and he would not be with Israel anymore if there was sin in the camp. This was the reason the Israelites suffered such a stunning defeat at Ai.

God is holy, but he is also merciful and he provided a way for the Israelites to be restored. The pattern he established for the Israelites applies to us as well. First, we must consecrate ourselves and come before God with repentant hearts. Next, with God's help, the sin in our lives must be exposed and confessed. Once exposed, our sin must be put to death by the power of the Spirit. When the Israelites dealt with the sin in their camp, the Lord turned from his anger and they were restored.


Application: Father, lead us to repentance.
One Word: Sin always leads to defeat