Achan: The Consequences of Sin

Thank you for your interest in the Truth Factor webzine.

Click here to comment on this article or ask us a question.

Copyright ©2005 Steven Harper, Truth Factor.
This article may be redistributed in whole by non-profit publications.
All editorial rights belong to the author and Truth Factor Web-zine

by John M. Duvall

Sin within your life can have a tragic impact upon the lives of other people. There are times when you may commit a sin that is unknown to other people. As a result, you alone bear the guilt and shame and the responsibility to repent. However, there are other times when your sin may become public knowledge and, therefore, affect the lives of other people. The Bible tells us the story of a man named Achan whose sin impacted not only himself, but the whole nation of Israel.

The story of Achan begins in Joshua 6 with Israel’s victory over the city of Jericho. Joshua had led the Israelites in battle against the city of Jericho. By following God’s instructions, the Israelites defeated the walled city of Jericho. (Joshua 6:1-27) God had also given Joshua and the Israelites specific instructions regarding the spoils from the battle. (Joshua 6:18-19) The Israelites were to abstain from the accursed things. All the silver, gold, vessels of bronze and iron were to go into the treasury of the Lord.

As the story of Achan continues in Joshua 7, the Bible reveals Achan’s sin against the Lord. Achan took of the accursed things during the battle against Jericho. This disobedience angered the Lord and His angered burned against the children of Israel. (vs 1-3) Achan’s sin cost Israel the battle against the city of Ai. During the battle at Ai, thirty-six men of Israel were slain in battle. (vs 4-5) Joshua tore his clothes and cried to the Lord. The Lord told Joshua the reason He had turned against Israel. The Lord told Joshua to remove the accused thing from Israel and to punish the one who had taken the accursed thing. (vs 6-15) Joshua discovered Achan’s guilt. Joshua told Achan to confess what he had done. (vs 16-19) Achan confessed to having taken the accursed things and hiding them in his tent. (vs 20-21) Joshua and the Israelites took Achan and his family, his live stock and all that he had, along with the accursed things and stoned them and burned them. (vs 22-26) The Lord’s anger was turned away from Israel. (vs 26)

In the story of Achan, there are four clear lessons to be learned by the student of God’s word. The first lesson is quite simple: Sin within your life can bring reproach and shame upon yourself, as well as other people. Achan’s sin brought reproach, guilt and shame upon the nation of Israel. If you are guilty of such a sin, then you must remove that sin from your life by turning away and repenting. There are times when sin must be removed by the local church no longer keeping company with those living in sin. Paul wrote, “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner— not even to eat with such a person.” (1 Corinthians 5:11, NKJV) Such a person must be delivered to Satan. (1 Corinthians 5:4-5) If the person repents, then the church is to accept him back. (2 Corinthians 2:3-11)

The second lesson learned is this: The consequences of your sin can affect others within your life. Achan’s sin tainted the whole nation of Israel. Achan’s sin cost Israel the lives of thirty-six men. Sin within your life can likewise affect other people. (This is not the same as bearing the guilt for your sins. Only you bear the guilty of your own sin.) Consider the case of King David. The child which David and Bathsheba conceived, along with David’s family suffered the consequences of David and Bathsheba’s sin. (2 Samuel 12:11-15)

Like David’s sin, your sin can also affect other people within your life. Depending upon the sin and the severity of it, your sin can affect your family members, i.e. spouse, children, parents, etc. Your sin can affect your friends. Your sin can likewise affect the local church on different levels. Members of the church bear the responsibility of correct-ing you when you sin. (Galatians 6:1-4) Members of the church also bear the responsibility of marking you if you do not change. (1 Corinthians 5:4-5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-14)

The third lesson learned is this: You should always acknowledge or confess your sins. Achan confessed his sin before Joshua. However, Achan and his family was not spared the punishment for his sins. If you have sin within your life, confess that sin and ask God to forgive you. (1 John 1:9) Quite often, the greatest obstacle faced by people in overcoming sin is the unwillingness to admit to their sin. If the circumstances of your sins deem it necessary, you can also confess your sins to other faithful Christian so that they might pray for you and encourage you. (James 5:16)

The fourth lesson learned is this: Remove the sin from your life. In order for the Lord to turn away His wrath from Israel, Joshua had to destroy the accursed things kept by Achan. To conquer sin within your life, you must likewise remove the sin, the “accursed things,” from your life. Putting to death the old man of sin is the process of removing sin from your life. (Romans 6:5-11) A Christian must strive to “put off” the old man of sin or the sinful deeds of his lives. Putting off the sinful deeds means simply to stop engaging in sinful activities. (Ephesians 4:17-24) In order to put off the sin from your life, you must follow the teachings of Jesus. In Matthew 5:27-30, Jesus taught his disciples to remove the temptations from their lives. You too must remove the temptations from your life.

Please learn the lessons seen within the life of Achan. Sin is very dangerous, destructive, and deadly. Sin can bring shame and reproach upon you and those around you. Also bear in mind that the consequences of your sins can affect others within your life. Likewise, if you are guilty of sin, then confess your sin to God and ask Him to forgive you. Lastly, remove the sin from your life by first removing the temptations from your life. Then, if temptations do arise, say no the sin. Achan and his family lost their lives due to one man’s sin. Please make any needed changes within your life so that sin will not be found buried within your life.

___________________________