“Be sure your sin will find you out.” – Numbers 32:23, KJV
Many people are naturally fascinated with mysteries and confidential information, which is obvious when observing popular American culture. Several dozen movies and documentaries are produced each year involving stories of the CIA and covert military operations, and countless internet sites are devoted to exposing (suspected) conspiracy theories and hidden government agendas. It’s no secret…people love secrets!
Some things, however, just can’t be kept hidden. No matter how hard we try, no matter what measures we take to prevent exposure, sin is one issue that won’t remain veiled. There may not be a single person who knows our sin, but God knows – and He will expose it if we don’t deal with it.
“Be sure your sin will find you out.” – Numbers 32:23, KJV
It’s a phrase that lurks in the back of our minds; a song that rings in our ears incessantly; a predator that stalks us with reckless abandon.
“Be sure your sin will find you out.”
We create excuses. We manufacture lies. And it’s easy to believe the lies because our human nature desperately WANTS to sin. We convince ourselves that it’s okay, although deep down we know better.
“No one has to know about this. Nobody will ever find out about it.”
So we succumb to the temptations…and we furnish false justifications.
It’s a social drink with friends…for old time’s sake. Smoking an occasional cigarette…since it really relieves stress. Saying cuss words during intense competition…after all, it’s not good to bottle up emotions.
“Be sure your sin will find you out.”
We can try to dismiss it – “It was just once. I have it under control.”
We can attempt to reason it out – “I’m bound to sin every now and then. After all, nobody is perfect.”
We can struggle to support it – “It’s okay to sin as long as I ask forgiveness. Besides, I deserve to have a little fun.”
We can aim to accept it, seek to secure it, and determine to defend it…but the Bible has the final word about the wicked pleasures we refuse to conquer:
“Be sure your sin will find you out.”
Either we will embarrass sin, or sin will embarrass us.
Very true words. Very sobering words. Very humbling words. Also, these words make me very joyful and thankful about God’s grace and mercy.
David
Is smoking a sin? (question from a non-smoker).
I sincerely hope that the spirit of Ed’s post is not missed by a discussion on alcohol and smoking.
Mike: I take your point, but Ed did give what appear to be examples of sin, so I think the question is fair. We’ve hashed over the alcohol issue for a long time, but I’d be interested in hearing what people say about smoking, especially in a denom inexplicably rooted in tobacco country.
Bill, unfortunately, you’re right. It is interesting how people don’t like it when the term legalist is thrown around, but assuming that certain actions are sins is fine.
We should be careful on both fronts.
Bill, I apologize if that seemed like it was aimed at you. My response was because I noticed the same thing that you did and honestly wish that Ed would have used different examples.
Because his point here–“Either we will embarrass sin, or sin will embarrass us”–is wonderful. And I fear that his great points will be lost b/c of his unfortunate choice of examples. I know why he chose them…but just wish he’d chosen something different.
Mike: No problem. I had the same concern about my own question.
Or as Don Francisco put it: “Adam. Adam? Where are you?”
My conscience affirms that alcohol and tobacco are sins in any form. While I don’t force my conviction on others, I wrote with honesty from my own heart. You guys can turn this into yet another picket fence issue, or you can take the post for what it’s worth at its core. After all, the man who knows to do good and doesn’t do it sins. So even blogging could be a sin today for some of us who have mote pressing Kingdom business.
Ed, as long as we can agree that others may be able to use alcohol and tobacco without violating their consciences, we’re good.
See, just as soon as you make an absolute statement about your “own heart” and that “alcohol and tobacco are sins in any form” you plead with others not to make them “picket fence” issues. See the problem?
Why not just use the sin categories that Scripture uses?
Ed, I do agree with the substance of the post. Thanks for the thoughtful instruction.
we can make sure that cigarettes are not purchased, and order Perrier with an olive instead of _______ , and practice saying ‘what the hey’ until it becomes a habit for use in a time of stress,
we can do all these things that arm us against what WE can control with our minds . . .
but the sins of the heart need something more.
The sins of the heart require the healing of the Great Physician;
and if we are given healing, we will no longer be able to live in this world without compassion or empathy for others.
I wasn’t pleading with people to not make this a picket fence issue, Mark. I was attempting to convey (and did a poor job, so please forgive me) that making this thread into a debate on “what is or isn’t sin” would diverge from the heart of the post. Each regenerate believer can expect the Holy Spirit to guide him/her into all truth (John 16:13). We can argue all day about what is or isn’t sin. My point was that, according to my conscience, tobacco or alcohol in any form is sin. Therefore, I treated them as such in this post. That is my explanation for why such “examples” were used in this article.
Mark, I have wanted to say this for a while, but haven’t gotten around to it: you and I disagree about some secondary and tertiary issues, but I appreciate your astute observations and the substance of your dialogue. It is nice to be able to have discussions with you in spite of our disagreements. Thanks for allowing unity to prevail in these instances.
Ed, thanks for the kind remarks. I don’t deserve them.