The Progression of Sin

The Progression of Sin
Monday, January 20, 2020
by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.”

Joshua 7:20–21

Jericho, the first city that Israel had to fight when they entered the Promised Land, was a large and wealthy city. In those days, gathering the goods found in a conquered city was a major economic consideration. Many armies received much of their pay from the plunder gained in battle. But God reserved that first city for Himself, decreeing that no one was to take anything from Jericho. Achan disobeyed that decree, and after the defeat at Ai his sin was revealed. When he made his confession to Joshua, Achan described the progression of his sin. First he saw something attractive, then he wanted it, and then he took it and hid it.

Sometimes we focus on the end of the process—the actual sin. But the problem begins earlier, in our thoughts before it is seen in our actions. When we allow ourselves to desire things that God has forbidden, we are already on the path to defeat and destruction. James wrote, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:15). Sin always begins internally before it is seen externally. Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. said, “Behind every tragedy of human character lies a long process of wicked thinking.” Achan did not sin because the treasure was so attractive. Thousands of other Israeli soldiers passed by equal treasures. Achan sinned because he allowed the temptation to linger until it produced the bitter fruit of sin in his life.

Today's Growth Principle:
The only safe way to deal with sin is to crush it in the temptation phase.