Watch Out For The Big Buts

(Warning: the word "but" and the word "butt" will be used.)

We've all heard about a city called Jericho. Many of us have even heard about the walls of Jericho falling down after the Israelite army marched around them for 7 days (that's a total of 42 laps!). If you don't know the details read the Biblical account here, then continue reading 'cause you'll miss the impact of the big but. Here's the beginning of the next day after the victory of Jericho:

"But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the Lord was very angry with the Israelites..."
(Joshua 7:1)

OUCH! Did you see that but? Now that has got to be one of biggest, stinkiest, dirtiest buts I have ever seen! Just when you thought the party was getting started, here comes a big but to ruin all the fun. Let me explain. You see, God gave Israel very detailed instructions of what to do once they attacked Jericho. He told them who to save, what to keep, what to destroy, and what to dedicate to him as a sacrifice. And 99.9% of all of Israel obeyed the details. However, one butt (yes, with two t's) named Achan ruined all the fun and now the great story of Israel's victory over Jericho is maimed forever with a big but because of a big butt named Achan.

There is so much to learn from this story of victory in Joshua 6 and defeat in Joshua 7 regardless of who you are AND regardless of if you believe the story to be true or not. (I personally believe it and so should you, by the way) Here's what this big but reveals to me: your decision to disobey God's instruction directly affects others in your life.

99.9% of Israel listened to God's instructions when they attacked and destroyed Jericho, but the .1% didn't. And the consequence? People died, Israel's army was crushed by a little army they should have annihilated in their sleep, they became fearful and all their courage melted away.

Think your decisions don't affect others?
Think again, before you make a big butt of yourself and maim your entire church, family, business, band, or team with a big, stinky, dirty but in the middle of people who are actually doing the right thing.

Let this be an encouragement to you to not be the but.