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Sunday 19 May 2002 - "You affect everyone - part 1"

(Summary of sermon by Erlo Stegen)

Josh 7:1

1 ¶ But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.

We read here that the Bible says the "children of Israel" sinned, whereas it was only one man, Achan. It sounds like a fairy tale, but it is true. Is it possible that the sin of one man can cause a whole nation to be punished?

This is an extremely serious matter. Only one man sinned in secret, and God's anger was poured out on the whole congregation. Here we see the influence and power of one man to bring a curse or a blessing on a nation. God can pour out His love and compassion on others because of you, or His wroth.

One sick sheep in a fold can infect all the others. If a farmer wants to buy such a fold and sees that sick sheep there, he would not buy it, because that sick sheep could already have infected all the others.

In the same way does sin in your life infect those around you, even if it was done in secret.

Just see how not only Achan, but his wife, children, and even his donkeys where stoned to death, because of his sin. His family hid his sin, and they died as well. Your sin will not only bring God's judgement on you, but also on your wife, children, or parents, who hide your sin. God's standard is clear. He demands 100% surrender and devotion to Him.

We are all threads in a great network, put here by God. We do not live and die for ourselves, but can cause the death or life of many around us. What you do affect many other people. You are not isolated.

Think carefully about this matter. It should shake each one to the core of his life. It is unimagineable how far reaching affects your secret sin will have. In the same way can it not be comprehended what the influence of blessing will be to others, of those who love God.

Can any of us allow any sin in our lives in the light of this word? Is it clear to you how God deals with His people? Some desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit, while condoning sin in their lives. They will be filled instead with demons.

Examine and test your life. Does it spread around life and health, or a curse to those around you?