Up all night

Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: 11 "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night. 1 Sam 15:10-11

Ever stopped to think about how our sin affects others? If so, you probably didn't focus much energy there. But what if you're on the other side, someone else's sin has caused you to be thrown in a pit. You know what Saul went through when it says "he cried through the night" because you've been there.

We live in a culture of individualism and isolation and because of that we really don't think our sins have a significant affect on the ones around us. But they do!

Theologians discuss the noetic effects of sin, meaning that our intellect is dulled—our eyes closed—to the affects of sin around us due to pride and arrogance.

It doesn't hurt anyone!

Really? If you are a Christ-follower it affects a lot! In Romans 12:5 it says we are one body and we belong to each other, if that's the case then what I do affects
you and what you do affects me.

Ever heard about Achan? You find his story in Joshua 7; his sin caused all of Israel to be held liable. His sin caused: many men to die (7:5); the army to live in fear (7:5); the leader to question God and lose faith (7:7-9); God threatening to remove His hand (7:12); Achan and his family being destroyed (7:24-26). Isn't it ironic that the place Achan and his family died is called the Valley of Trouble?

Whether we like it or not our sin cost more than we think.

Who are you keeping up all night?