That Bad?

From the Desk of David Boyd, National BGMC Director

The miraculous God of the Israelites knocked the walls of Jericho inwards, causing the city to be taken by His people with little or no effort. Yet during the rest of that day Achan disobeyed God, taking some of the plunder God had ordered to be left behind and destroyed. Achan must have rationalized to himself that taking these items—a robe, a bit of silver, and a wedge of gold—wouldn’t be “that bad” of a sin.

It is easy for Christians today to decide certain activities really aren’t “that bad.” It may be music, programs on TV,  data on the internet, or other activities. Nevertheless, anytime we as Christians question ourselves by saying, “Is it really that bad?” we may be in danger of hurting ourselves, our family, others around us, and the Kingdom in general.

God called Achan’s decision sin. Sin in the midst of Israel caused Israel’s army to be defeated, and thirty-six valiant warriors lost their lives. When God called Achan into account for his sin, his entire family was destroyed. Harsh treatment? Yes, it sounds that way, yet how many families have been destroyed by the hidden sin of a parent? How many parents allow compromising activities into their home, only to see, years later, their children continuing in those activities—leaving Christianity far behind.

In Joshua 7:13, God says to Joshua, “You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it [the sin among you].” Is sin “that bad”?  Yes, it is. God asks us to remain holy—to follow His will in our lives and to refrain from compromising our faith by rationalizing away sin as being “not that bad.”

As children’s leaders, it is imperative that we daily ask for God’s help and direction in our lives in order to remain holy and effective in service for His kingdom.