"Your 'Achan' Heart"

Joshua 7

 

Achan's heart was one of compromise. Why did Achan's whole family have to die because of his sin?  Trust me, they knew all about it, and were accomplices.

 

I.  Your relationships really do matter!

    A.  You can determine a man's future by his friends -- Proverbs 27:19:  "A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses."

    B.  Every friendship in your life is based on mutual strengths or problems.  Be sure you know the difference!  This is why "Type A's" normally are attracted to other "Type A's", critical whiners are attracted to other critical whiners, lazy people are attracted to other lazy people, etc. 

    C.  Proverbs 13:20:  "He that walks with wise men shall be wise. But a companion of fools will be destroyed."

    D.  You can't live in Achan's tent and somehow avoid his future!

 

II.  Who is "Achan" in your life?

    A.  Anyone who feeds, fans, rationalizes or makes you feel comfortable with your flesh.  Choose instead to surround yourselves with people who will sharpen you, rather than pull you down.

    B.  One line that Achan and his friends like to use:  "I wish people would stop judging me!"  Try this one instead:  Psalm 141:5:  "Let the godly smite me! It will be a kindness to me! If they reprove and correct me, it is good medicine."

    C.  Trying to serve God while surrounding yourselves with people who are only pulling you down is like trying to enjoy a picnic parked next to the garbage cans!  You're missing out on the "full life" if you are doing this!

 

III.  Achan, people you care about will suffer the consequences of your sin!  (No one compromises alone.)

 

IV.  Friends of Achan, have the guts to draw a line and get out of his tent!

    A.  Studies show that "peer pressure" is real, even among adults!

    B.  Don't think you can stay in Achan's tent without soon having his heart!

 

If you are Achan, you need to repent of actions that you may have thought were harmless.

If you are a friend of Achan, you need to redesign your friendships.