YOUR SIN AFFECTS OTHERS

In the book of Joshua, after the amazing victory at Jericho where the walls come tumbling down, Israel’s victory becomes squelched as they lose a devastating battle to the much smaller city of Ai, and the reason for the defeat is due to one person’s sin – a man named Achan. God had commanded that at the battle of Jericho everything was under the ban and no personal plunder should be taken. Achan, however, takes a garment that he thought was attractive, along with some gold and silver, and he buries them in his tent. As a result of Achan's disobedience, the entire nation of Israel is affected and God's anger was turned toward the entire nation. This shows very pointedly that you cannot disobey God and have it only affect you. Any time you disobey God it affects others, especially those who are closest to you. That principle is also found in 1 Corinthians 5 as Paul writes to the church at Corinth regarding sin that was taking place by some in the church. In verse 6 he says that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. In other words, a little sin affects the entire church. If you are allowing sin in your life, don’t be deceived. You cannot disobey God and only have it affect you.