Does others sin affect you and vice versa, does your sin affect others?

The simple answer to these questions is yes. Some may disagree with this and others may not even care but the Bible is God’s revealed truth and although the times, culture, and people have changed dramatically, God has not.

I myself was taught that my actions affected others whether it is positively or negatively. Today another teaching has taken hold. Kids are taught that what they do only affects them. If they don’t try in school it only affects them. If they want to disobey rules, it only affects them. The fact is it does affect others.

The dad who doesn’t take care of his family, doesn’t pay the bills, and doesn’t provide for them, he is not the only one affected but rather his wife and children suffer. The same is true with sin. When we allow sin to take up residence in our lives it affects others lives. I encourage everyone to live Godly in Christ Jesus. Live each day close to the Lord and abstain from sin. This will keep you spiritually strong and blameless before God.

Many of you may know the story of Achan in Joshua chapter 7. All of Israel had experienced victories in each battle they faced because they had obeyed God’s word. After the battle and victory at Jericho a single man named Achan disobeyed God’s command and his sin affected the nation of Israel.

As Israel prepared for their next enemy Ai, they didn’t realize someone in the camp had sinned against God and God’s favor had been removed. As they faced the enemy, the enemy had the upper hand because God’s power had been removed from Israel and therefore the battle was lost and 36 Israelites lost their lives. The sin of one affected the lives of 36 men who died, 36 wives who lost their husbands, and the numerous children who lost their fathers.

Later in the story Achan and his sin was exposed. In dealing with this God instructed that not only Achan be removed, but also his wife, children, and even livestock were destroyed.

You may be asking why is the sin of one man such a big deal in God’s eyes. Well we don’t have the right to question God on any matter. What God says goes. God had commanded not to take or Israel would be cursed. Achan took and disobeyed God.

The truth is sin is like a cancer in the body. If it is ignored it will spread and weaken and eventually destroy the body. However, when it is caught early enough and removed, the body gets stronger and healthier. God saw Achan’s sin and he knew it had to be removed in order for Israel to become strong and able to win the battles they faced.

God also sees us and He knows when sin is in a church or a family. The good news is that if we confess our sin to the Lord, He is faithful to forgive and remove that sin. So don’t be an Achan and allow your sin to hinder and hurt God’s blessings to someone else. Be strong, withstand sin, and when the enemy attacks you will able to stand for God’s glory, your church, and your family.

Tune in to WBCU 103.5 FM Sundays at noon for the Shining Light Broadcast. I preach a 15-minute message that I pray will be a blessing to those who listen. If you have a prayer concern, comment, or question, please write to: Voice of Victory, Attn: David Burrell, PO Box 1221, Pacolet, SC 29372, message me on Facebook, or e-mail me at daveburrell@live.com.