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Many churches still value a weekly prayer meeting. For many churches, the cry for revival is prominent in those meetings. Along with prayers for the needs of the church, the poor, and widows, there are deep groanings for Christ’s church to pursue holiness and make way for true revival. In light of the recent news that another prominent Reformed pastor has fallen into disqualifying sin, I have been led to ponder the following questions: Is this the judgment that must begin at the house of the Lord (1 Pet. 4:17) before the Holy Spirit will bring conviction of sin upon the nations (John 16:8)? Is the uncovering of egregious hidden sin among pastors an answer to prayer for revival within local churches scattered abroad?

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    Regardless of how those questions might be answered, the lesson of  Achan seems to be playing on repeat right before our eyes (Josh. 7). The sons of Israel had been found taking to themselves forbidden items, “therefore the anger of the Lord burned against the sons of Israel (Josh. 7:1). Achan saw among the spoils of war a beautiful mantle of Shinar, piles of silver coins and bars of gold. Coveting these things and disobeying God, he took them for himself and brought the banned items into his tent, hiding them beneath the earth (Josh. 7:21). 

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    In this time, Joshua sent a group of Israel’s men from Jericho to spy out the land of Ai, only sending a few thousand Israelites for the men of Ai were few (Johsua 7:3). However, Israel was put to flight and thirty-six men were struck down, causing the people’s hearts to melt and become like water (Joshua 7:5).

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    By way of modern application, one can only wonder whether the Western Church’s struggle to advance God’s kingdom is connected to pastors who have filled their tents with banned items. If the Lord were to call every Pastor to account tomorrow and make us stand at the doorway of our post, what would He uncover in our tent? How many Achans might be found in our camp?

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    It’s unlikely that He would find silver and gold from the spoils of war treasured up beneath our feet, but what would He find? Would there be the spoils of sin hidden in our closets? What would our Lord discover if He were to demand our call history, our internet browsing history or our location history? What if tomorrow He would lay our hearts completely bare? Would He find faith in the land (Luke 18:8)?

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    Men of God, the King of Kings has already commanded us to take nothing to ourselves except that which is holy, for without holiness no man shall see the Lord (Heb. 12:14). Has our Lord not promised to provide all that we need for life and labor in His vineyard if only you will seek first His righteousness (Matthew 6:33)? Do we suppose there is a hiding place He cannot find, a lust he cannot see, a sin he will not uncover? Our God is in all places; there is nowhere our bed can be made, our feet can walk, our eyes can look, or our lusts can reach that escapes the presence of the God who sees! (Psalm 19:7-12, Gen. 16:13). Nothing can be hidden from Him. Do we believe the thrice-Holy God would grant victory to His church over the nations of the earth when He sees even her tents full of “banned items” (Joshua 7:21)?

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    For the sake of Christ who has purchased you with His blood and has made you the bride of His divine love (Acts 20:28, Songs 2:4). Brother pastors, we must bear the fruit of keeping with repentance and uproot the sins that entangle us (Matt. 3:8-10). The God who called us to service is faithful and just to forgive even our most egregious sins (1 John 1:9). Otherwise, we will each face the exposing shame and pain of having our iniquities uncovered (Psalm 94:23). If you are hiding in your tent what is forbidden of God’s men and are unwilling to lay it at His feet, He will pry it from your hands. Even if it should cause great shame to come upon you, your family, and your local church, rest assured, God will do whatever it takes to expose sin in the lives of His people. (Num. 32:33, Heb. 12:4-11). It is God’s gracious desire to replace our covetousness of empty idols with all-satisfying communion with Himself. The venom of covetousness has an antidote: contentment in our all-sufficient Lord. 

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    Oh, how it pains the young pastor’s heart to see the men he’s looked up to fall into grievous sins. How it hurts to see the promises of God discounted and the righteousness of God trampled upon by those who have taught us so much of His word. Oh, how it makes me tremble in my closet as I pray, “Surely not I, Lord,” (Matt. 26:22). Even still, I thank God for cleansing His temple. Even still,I pray, “Lord, bring revival at all costs so that we might see your glory.”

About the Author:  Jason Gunter is the pastor of Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church in West Plains, MO.