“The Lord said to Joshua, Get up! Why do you lie thus upon your face? Israel has sinned; they have transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. They have taken some of the things devoted for destruction; they have stolen, and lied and put them among their own baggage.
That is why the Israelites could not stand before their enemies, but fled before them; they are accursed and have become devoted for destruction. I will cease to be with you unless you destroy the accursed devoted things among you.” (Joshua 7:10-12)
Joshua has been riding high on victories as the Jewish people began to take possession of the land God had given them. Jericho was destroyed and one of the men took some silver and other things he thought were nice. The only problem was that God has specifically told them NOT to take anything from Jericho because the whole city was cursed.
Joshua was unaware of Achan’s sin, so he sent the army up to take the next town thinking it would be a walk in the park and got their rear-ends kicked all the way home! So Joshua is now crying to God about the situation. Joshua starts laying the blame at God’s feet, but He is quick to let him know that there is sin in the camp that must be dealt with before any progress can be made.
Sin stops the things of God COLD. He will not be participating intimately in your life if there is unrepentant sin in your life. He just won’t do it. He will give us a space to repent and His grace will be there but eventually, we have to make a hard choice. We have to get the sin out of the camp or our relationship with Him will stagnate and eventually grow cold.
How many people have shipwrecked their faith because they wouldn’t deal with sins they knew were against God’s Word. One of Satan’s favorite lies is to convince people that God is “ok” with their sin. That somehow they are “special.” It’s a lie! Sin gives the devil legal ground to destroy your life. Remember, the thief comes to steal and to kill and to destroy.
Is your spiritual life stagnate or dying? Examine your life and ask the Lord to show you any sin that is keeping you from the fullness of fellowship He wants you to enjoy with Him!
Blessings everyone…
From the Heart of God... 