The Stash

Source: Joshua 7

Where is it? You know, your stash? That place you like to keep things you don’t want others to know about? Do you have one?

Maybe it is something very personal, like a diary, that you would be terrified if someone read. Or maybe you have that stash where you keep your private sins to yourself. Maybe it’s a physical space to keep alcohol, drugs, smokes or porn, like under your mattress, the bottom of your dresser, etc. Or maybe your more inclined to the digital space, and you have an app that allows you to have secret conversations with that boy your parents said they didn’t want you talking to.

The point is, we humans are all alike. We have a tendency to know we are doing something wrong, but still persist in doing it, only thinking we can keep it private. “Nobody knows, so it won’t hurt anyone,” we think. But that is not true. Your private sins affect more people than you know, or could imagine.

If you have your Bible available turn to Joshua 7 and read it (or go here https://www.esv.org/Joshua+7/) . I’ll give you a few minutes.

Background

God had delivered the people of Israel out of captivity in Egypt through the 10 plagues and the crossing of the Red Sea. He sustained life through miracle after miracle in the wilderness wandering for 40 years. He then had Joshua become the successor of Moses to lead the people into the Promised Land.

Joshua leads the people to victory by trusting in God for a miracle, and without lifting a sword and only marching around the city, the entire city was destroyed. God had one command. “Don’t take any spoils from the city, but burn it all.”

“I Want That”

 Have you ever seen something that you just had to have? Something you wanted so badly that you were willing to do something wrong to get it?

Achan was rummaging through the city after it was destroyed and saw an amazing Babylonian robe, some sliver and some gold. Can you imagine how he justified taking it?

“Surely God doesn’t care about a robe, silver coins and gold. Nobody has to know I have it. I’ll wait for a while before I use it. It is just a waste to burn these beautiful creations.”

After justifying his disobedience, Achan took the plunder and buried it in his stash. I am sure he was relieved once it was hidden away and nobody saw him. But I know the feeling of hiding something and hoping not to get caught. It’s part thrilling and terrifying at the same time. When something is hidden in your stash, there is no peace, but always fear.

I know what that is like. My parents gave me a rule that I wasn’t allowed to listen to secular music as a teenager. I had a car that had a “stash” where I used to keep my tapes (what came before CDs for you young people) hidden. I thought I was smart and that I had it all covered. Except the words from Numbers 32:23, “be sure your sin will find you out,” became all to true.

One night after work I forgot to conceal my stash and my parents found it. My disobedience was discovered, my parents trust in me was damaged and I had to face the consequences.

Your Private Sin Affects More People than You Know

Achan thought he got away with it, but the very next battle the Israelites were defeated by a small army at Ai. 36 men died in this failed campaign.

It didn’t make any sense. So, Joshua cried out to God and God answered him. God said there was sin in the camp that led to their defeat. God set up a process for Joshua to identify the person who had committed the sin that brought defeat and death to the Israelite army.

Tribe, clan and family all were narrowed down until the spotlight came upon Achan. I am sure Achan couldn’t believe that his sin was the major cause of this tragedy. I mean it was only a robe, a few coins and a bar of gold.

I thought the same thing, it was just a few tapes with some music on them. But minimizing disobedience is a recipe for disaster. Disobedience is a major sin, if you don’t believe me, look at Paul’s list in Romans 1:28-31.

God revealed that Achan’s sin brought defeat and death to the people of Israel. Could you imagine how devastating it would feel to be responsible for the death of 36 people because you were selfish?

Sin Prevents Victory

Hidden sin leads to ruin. It prevents prayers from being answered (Ps 66:18), it leads to judgment (Ps 1:4-6), and it robs you of joy (Ps 51:10-12). And the list goes on. If you have hidden sins in your life, you are robbing yourself, and others, of the blessings of God. What victories might God work in your life if you surrendered your stash?

All Sin Has Consequences

Achan’s sin led to the death of 36 soldiers, and it ultimately cost him and his entire family their lives. When his sin was pointed out to the people, Achan admitted his sin and confessed that he had sinned against God. Even with confession, there is still consequences.

God, the righteous and holy judge, declared that Achan’s sin required his life and the life of his family. It is pretty harsh, but is a demonstration on how seriously God treats sins.

Does that mean that God is going to have you stoned, burned and buried for the things in your stash?

No, He won’t. You don’t have to die for your sins. Achan had to, but you don’t. Doesn’t seem fair does it? But someone did have to die for your sins.

Jesus died for your stash, for your sins.

God is righteous, holy and just, therefore He must require death for disobedience. The Bible says, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” It is harsh, it is ugly, it is even disgusting that death is required, that is because sin is harsh, ugly and disgusting. The beautiful thing is that God, in His great mercy, sent His Son to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He shed His blood on the cross so that we don’t have to.

Sin Confessing is Sin Cleansing

When we confess our sins, the blood of Christ covers them and forgives them. 1 John 1:9 says, “if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Right now, if you confess your sins to God, He will forgive you. But not only that, as you confess God begins to cleanse you, or scrub the sins from your heart!

Confessing sin starts with admitting your sin to God and acknowledging your disobedience. But it shouldn’t end there. You have to clean out your stash, and get rid of the source of sin.

Now you are forgiven by God and you have removed the item of temptation. But confession doesn’t end there. James 5:16 says, “confess your sins one to another and pray for one another that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

You should find someone to talk to and pray with about your sins. Here at Lakeside, we have our pastors and elders who are here to guide our people. But that can be intimidating. So we have small groups where people can connect at a closer level. In youth group, I am available to all the youth and we have youth leaders that have small groups that are available to the students. When we break up in small groups, this is a good time to confess struggles and pray with one another.

There is a special freedom that comes through completing the steps of confession. When something is in your stash, it has a power over you. When you confess your stash to someone you trust, you will be amazed at how the burdened is lifted.

When you confess your sins, it is put to death. The Cross of Christ has defeated the stash. His resurrection secures new life. Trust Him. Follow Him. Obey Him.

You can start right now by confessing to God through prayer. As soon as you can, empty your stash. Enlist friends to talk to and encourage you in this process.  Don’t delay and reap unwanted consequences. What if Achan had confessed right away and destroyed the objects. 36  soldiers would have live and Israel would have been victorious.

After Achan’s sin had been dealt with and the sin was removed from the camp, Israel went on to defeat Ai and other cities. God led them into the Promised Land. What is your Promised Land that sin is preventing? Don’t delay, deal with it today.