Joshua 7
A can of worms is a situation or subject that is extremely complicated, difficult, or unpleasant to deal with or discuss. A complex unexpected problem or unsolvable dilemma that alludes to a container of bait used for fishing, which when opened reveals a tangle of worms.
Achan’s sin was one such situation.
Just as surely as fire burns, so sin has its consequences. Sin affects not only the one who sins but others as well. Sin is sin, there are no small, personal, or private sins, everything and anything that God frowns upon is a sin and they have consequences.
You cannot hide anything from God even if you do manage to hide it from man-Luke 8:17
The children of Israel suffered—only one was guilty, and yet the sin was imputed to the whole congregation; they all suffered shame and disgrace of a defeated army, men died, and general terror spread through the whole camp. Proverbs 28:13 says there is no prosperity for those who cover their sin-just like Achan.
Have you done something the Lord asked you not to do, something you know is wrong, but you did it anyway? How about something you are hiding and hoping not to be found out?
God had commanded Israel’s army to destroy the entire city of Ai because it was sinful. God gave them strict instructions, they were to burn everything in the city that belonged to the people of Jericho except the silver, gold, brass, and iron. These they were to bring to the House of the Lord. But Achan disobeyed the orders, stole and hid a beautiful garment, and some silver and gold in his tent. Achan felt sure no one else would find out about this, Achan of warms was set to soon be opened. Good luck with trying to hide anything from God-Hebrews 4:13. Joshua was honestly confused with the defeat of his army but through God’s process of elimination, the Achan’s sin was uncovered, Vs 14-21. Unfortunately, God attributed Achan’s crime to the whole tribe until the sin was discovered. Achan stole from God!
You might say, not me, I’ve never stolen a thing in my life or at least not from God! Really! How about those times you’ve done, given, or said less than what the Lord asked you to, especially in the area of the tithe, offering, and seed? Malachi 3:8. Or those times when your help, assistance, and support were needed but you turned a blind eye-James 2:16 and Proverbs 3:27. So, you see, we may just be like Achan-robbing God for ourselves.
Notice that Achan’s was dealt with swiftly and publicly, we should not frolic with sin, but we do, be quick to run to the Lord for confession, repentance, and forgiveness, 1 John 1:8-10.
Hebrews 3:13 instructs us to encourage and look out for each other, so no one falls and remains on down-accountability-because what may seem like an isolated, individual sin or problem may turn out to have a systemic reach to the body of Christ. God does not condone sin, neither should we, even our own, one little wrong move creates room for more, Galatians 5:9. Be careful not to open Achan of warms.