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Toxic Treatment for Sin part II
As was mentioned last week, when we are ailing from sickness or disease, we are usually willing to take any and all necessary steps to be cured. This may include the foulest tasting medicine, or treatments which may have undesirable side effects. It is sad that folks won’t take the same measure to eradicate their sin. Some folks are seen using “toxic treatment” for their sin. Not only will these so called treatments do nothing to alleviate the sin in their life, but in many cases have harmful side affects on the individual’s attitude about sin
Hiding Our Sin is probably the all time favorite toxic remedy. The first to use this “toxic remedy” were Adam and Eve. The Bible states they "…hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees." (Gen. 3:8.) How foolish to think we can hide ourselves from Him who said “neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Heb. 4:13.) God is not as near sighted as our neighbors who may be easily deceived. David went to the extreme of premeditated murder to cover the sin of fornication with Bathsheba in 2 Sam.11. It went neither unnoticed nor unpunished by God. The same may be said of Annanias and Saphira in Acts 5: These examples alone should establish in our hearts that this toxic treatment will not cure sin, only serve to make it worse, resulting in spiritual death.
The story of Achan is a reminder that you cannot cover sin. And, that there will be consequences, not only for the sinner but for others. Because Achan unlawfully took spoils at the battle of Jericho, the next battle at Ai was a disaster. 36 men needlessly died because the Lord was not with Joshua, and would not be with him any longer until the accursed spoils were removed from among God’s people. After Achan’s confession and apparent repentance, “…Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the garment, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and they brought them to the Valley of Achor. And Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day." So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.” (Josh 7:24-25) Oh the suffering that our sin can bring on others. The Proverb writer observed that, “He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.” (Pro. 28:13) We should praise the God Of Forgiveness, and thank Him because He forgives us when we confess our secret sins!
Most folks know and believe that God does not turn His head because sin is hidden, yet their actions make a different statement. Serious physical illnesses and its consequences do not go away because we hide or ignore them. Neither does sin go away until The Great Physician’s cures and puts the problem in remission. Are you hiding sin from others because you know they would condemn your actions? You might be surprised to know what others know about your sin. You may be deceiving others, but even if no one else knows, the Judge you will stand before in eternity does.
Have you received the remission of your sins? If not, the cure for sin is found by coming to Jesus with humility and trust, and taking His prescription for your sin sickness. When you meet the terms of pardon, Jesus will treat your conditions with His blood, (Heb. 9:14) and heal you by His stripes. (Isa. 53:5) Think about it.
