Achan's Sin & The Hidden Sin of Lust

I want to talk about the hidden sin of lust in relation to the sin of Achan in Joshua 7. If you are a man (or woman) living in a fantasy world of sexual conquest you are headed for disaster. 

Achan's sin was taking things that were dedicated to God. He took what did not belong to him. He stole that which God had dedicated, set apart for the temple. He desecrated that which was sacred. 

When a men and women lust after each other (carry out any sexual fantasies) they are essentially taking what does not belong to them. Sex outside of marriage (real or imagined; any perversion) is a desecration of God's intended plan. Men have selfishly taken, for their own selfish pleasure, what does not rightfully belong to them. They may get away with it for a season but sexual sin and perversion will eventually bring the wrath and anger of God. 

One cannot take what belongs to God, what God has set apart as sacred, expect that it be hidden and get away with it. God will bring judgment on the individual who ignores, defies, and disrespects His natural order of things. 

When a men carry out sexual fantasies and think they are hiding something from God they are not, though they may be hiding it from others. Eventually they will be exposed. They will suffer disgrace, shame, and defeat. Hear these vexing words from Scripture to Joshua, "...Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the Lord. YOU WILL NEVER DEFEAT YOUR ENEMIES UNTIL YOU REMOVE THESE THINGS FROM YOU." Josh 7:13

This sin of Achan cost him his family's lives, his children's lives, and his own life. It also cost the children of Israel, those around him, their lives. The battle was lost. It caused Joshua to doubt whether God cared for Israel. It created havoc among the children of Israel. 

God destroyed ALL of Achan's family, his cattle, his dwelling, and even the stolen spoils. All vestiges of his existence were erased. Except, of course, a heap of stones (Josh 7:26) and the bad memory of his "troubling" disregard of things sacred (things set apart for God's use). Devastating consequences. 

ASK YOURSELF, "IS IT WORTH IT?"

So to what extreme limits would you go to protect your moral/sexual perimeters? What extreme strategy would you put in place to protect your life, your family, your church, and your community? What are the non-negotiable bedrock issues of your life? 

Here is where I come down:

1. The absolute commitment of my life to the call of God to influence men for Christ;
2. The absolute integrity of my relationship to my wife, my children, and to their families (moral/sexual);
3. The relentless pursuit of work and ministry.

I have a working strategy. I'm not perfect but I will fight to keep my good name, my family, and the integrity of all my associations.

A Strategy For Securing My Moral Perimeter

The spiritual security and legacy of a man depends upon how well he disciplines his body to do the right things.

Paul said, “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” 1Co 9:27

To ignore the moral perimeter (includes the imagination – how close to sin can I get without actually committing an act of sin?) is to lose the privilege of telling others about Christ; to see ministry opportunities disappear before your very eyes. It is easy to tell others how to live and then not to take our own advice. We must practice what we preach so as not to lose not only our credibility but also our opportunity. (1Ki 11:1-13)

Sexual sin is probably the greatest threat to any man. Guarding the moral perimeter is critical. A man must maintain discipline and vigilance 24/7. The most vulnerable places for a man is in the work place and on the road.

My Rules Of Engagement

Concerning You:

  1. Do not trust the flesh
  2. Get and keep your focus on God
  3. Get and keep your focus on your wife
  4. Praise your wife; Pray with her regularly; Date her; Honor her publicly

Concerning Other Women:

  5. Keep your door open when meeting them
  6. Respect them as you would a daughter or sister
  7. Do not linger in their cube or office
  8. Eliminate personal/private/leading conversations and places
  9. Eliminate inappropriate touching or hugging
10. Keep conversation limited to business/ministry matters

Nothing less than 100% commitment will keep the moral perimeter secure

“…Consecrate Yourselves…”

- Joshua 3:5