'THE SELFISHNESS OF SIN'
(by: Pastor James Scarborough, Donalsonville Assembly of God)

Whether we want to admit it or not, many of the things we do can have a strong effect on others. We are told that secondhand smoke poses a potentially unhealthy threat to all those who are exposed to it. Vehicles operated by drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol have proven to be fatal for far too many innocent people. The negative choices of a few can have far reaching, often devastating, consequences for many. Sin is a very selfish thing.

The account of Achan's sin in Joshua 7 shows how ugly and far reaching the selfish sin of one man can be for a whole group of people. In this story the Bible tells us that Achan took some of the plunder of battle that the Lord had specifically instructed him not to. As a result, Israel suffered an embarrassing defeat in a battle that they should have easily won.

Could it be that the lack of spiritual victory and vitality in our lives and in our churches could be the result of sin that has not been repented of? When Joshua, the leader of Israel in Achan's day, mourned over the defeat of his men, the Lord instructed him to "Stand up!" Then He asked Joshua, "What are you doing down on your face?" (Joshua 7:10, NIV). Perhaps we need to stand up and deal with some things in our lives that are displeasing to God.

Joshua 7 identifies several areas that point to the selfishness of sin. Are we guilty of any of them?

For one, Achan was more concerned about material things than he was about pleasing God. He knew what God had instructed, yet he failed to fully obey. It seems that the real temptation that started the whole downward spiral was when he saw the forbidden articles (Joshua 7: 20-21). The lust of the eyes have been a weakness in humankind since sin entered into humanity. We must bring our desires under the authority of the Holy Spirit and abide by the instruction of the Lord.

Achan was also more concerned about momentary pleasures than about everlasting peace. There is often apparent pleasure in sin for a season, but payday will come. What Achan saw and craved for--and ultimately took--was truly beautiful and of much value, but it did not bring him the lasting satisfaction he had hoped for. He buried them inside his tent (verse 21). Do we have things hidden under the tents of our lives that we thought would bring pleasure but have only brought a guilty conscience and a disturbed mind? We must give them up to God if we are to enjoy genuine peace.

Finally, notice that Achan was more concerned about personal wealth than about the ongoing health of his nation. His sin did not only affect him, it affected his nation. What a horrible reminder of the selfishness of sin! May we always consider the affect our actions and choices can have on others. We would do well to make those choices with this question in mind: "Will the choice I am about to make be beneficial or detrimental to my witness as a Christian and to the furtherance of the Kingdom of God?"

Do not be defeated by the selfishness of sin. Instead, always be more concerned about pleasing God and helping your fellowman than about personal gain and temporary pleasure.