Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me. (Josh. 7:19)

I remember it like it was yesterday. My mom’s piercing glare burned straight through my eight-year-old soul and called out for an immediate confession. Although I was way too young to understand the effect of sin in my life, I was still responsible for my actions and caught up in the harsh reality that sin plays in the human heart. Like Achan who knew better, my brother and I were convinced that we could get away with anything if we were quiet and careful enough.

My younger brother and I ventured out with our Mom for what was to be a routine Saturday morning shopping trip when we got this not-so-brilliant idea. We were bored with shopping so we stole two markers, one for each of us, walked out of the store and proceeded to write words on the sidewalk that used to make people blush. When asked where we got the markers, we had no response. Mom knew immediately that we stole them, and after only a brief moment, we were ready to tell everything. Our mom must have read today’s reading because she echoed Joshua’s words to Achan: “Tell me what you have done and do not hide it from me!”

I learned a valuable lesson that day. The effect of sin is real. I cannot run from sin. God will make sure of it.

Confess to the Lord the sins you may be carrying.

Devon Smith is district superintendent of the Tri-State District of The Wesleyan Church, and founder/director of the CROSS Training ordination program at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.