This message takes us deep into Joshua chapter 7, revealing a sobering truth: our hidden sins affect far more than just ourselves. We encounter the story of Achan, who took devoted things from Jericho that belonged to God alone—gold, silver, and a beautiful coat—and concealed them in his tent. This single act of covert sin brought devastating consequences: Israel's defeat at Ai, the death of 36 soldiers, and ultimately the destruction of Achan and his entire household. The Hebrew word used here, ma'al, specifically means a sin that is covered up or hidden, and it reminds us that nothing escapes God's sight. What makes this account particularly challenging is that God held the entire nation accountable for one person's transgression, teaching us that sin operates like leaven—a little bit affects the whole lump. We're confronted with the myth of neutrality in our modern culture, the idea that some things are neither good nor bad. Scripture demolishes this notion, declaring there are only two kingdoms: God's or the world's. The message becomes deeply personal when we consider Malachi 3, where God asks, 'Will a man rob God?' When we withhold our first and our best—our time, talents, and resources—we're essentially doing what Achan did: taking what belongs to God and calling it our own. Yet the gospel shines through brilliantly. Just as Joshua led Israel to purge the sin and then move forward to decisive victory at Ai, Jesus Christ has purged our sin completely through the cross. When we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us, allowing us to move from glory to glory, from victory to victory. The call is clear: stop hiding, start confessing, and deal aggressively with whatever causes us to stumble.
