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"Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out"

Jim Mickell
12/19/21 - Articles

The above statement is found in Numbers 32:23, where Moses is warming the tribes of Reuben and Gad. Israel had been made to wander in the wilderness for forty years because of their lack of faith and trust in God, listening to the evil report given by ten of the twelve spies. They are now preparing to cross the Jordan and to take the land the Lord had promised them. Yet before they cross over, these two tribes, who have much livestock, see the land of Jazer and Gilead on the east side of the river was a good place for their animals. They ask for this territory for their inheritance. At first Moses was against this idea, thinking they just did not want to go and fight, not willing to do what was required of them by the Lord. They came to this great leader and explained they would build sheepfolds for their livestock, go over and fight against the enemy with their brethren, and then once the land was taken, return home to the territory given them on the east side of the Jordan. Moses agreed, yet he also warned them if they failed to do as they promised their sin would find them out (Read Numbers 32:1-27).

The principle of one’s sin finding him out is alive and well today just as it was when Moses stated it hundreds of years ago. If we sin God knows it! Notice the words of the inspired writer of the book of Hebrews, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). This great truth was often illustrated by Jesus with those whom He met daily. In speaking with the woman at the well look at part of the conversation He had with her, “The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.” Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.” The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet” (John 4:17-19). Jesus knew all about this woman’s life even before she told Him about her martial situation. He even knew Judas would betray Him before they came to the garden to arrest Him (Mark 14). Sin cannot be hidden from God!

It is amazing to me the length some will go to conceal their sin. Some will lie saying, “I’m not guilty,” knowing all the time they have committed the transgression for which they are charged. Then you have those who shift the blame to others; it is their fault. King Saul tried this but was still rejected by God and was no longer permitted to serve as king of Israel (1 Samuel 15). There are those who try to redefine sin. Many in society today say homosexuality is not a transgression of God’s law; it is just an alternate lifestyle. Yet the Bible clearly teaches such is sinful (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Others think ignorance is bliss. If one does not know something is sinful, then somehow at least in their eyes it is not a sin. Paul’s statement to those in the city of Athens says differently, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).

The Psalmist said, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered” (Psalm 32:1). Then in the book of Proverbs we read, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (28:13). Do these verses contradict each other? Certainly not! If the Bible is true, and it is, then it does not teach one thing in one place and something else on the same subject in another location. The sin mentioned in Psalm 32:1 is one which is forgiven and covered by God. The one we read about in Proverbs 28:13 is a sin which a person tries to conceal or hide from God. The wise man explains what one should do with sin, confess, forsake, and receive the mercy of the Lord.

To the sinners Peter was addressing on Pentecost, who had not received the mercy of the Father, they were told to, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). If one sins after becoming a Christian, he is instructed to repent and pray (Acts 8:22). If you have sinned make sure the Lord covers those transgressions through forgiveness by application of the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:7).

Always remember your sins will find you out. You may conceal them from others in this life, but when standing before the Lord in judgment they are known to Him (Psalm 90:8). Neither time nor space heals iniquity; just godly sorrow which produces repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). Do not try to hide sin. Why not simply do what the Lord tells you so they can be remitted. This is the only way to receive the blessing of eternal life in heaven with the Father.