Dealing with the Achan in Your Life
“The son of Carmi: Achan, the troubler of Israel, who broke faith in the matter of the devoted thing.” 1 Chronicles 2:7
In the genealogies of 1 Chronicles, we encounter a brief but poignant mention of Achan, forever marked as “the troubler of Israel.” This reference harks back to the full story in Joshua 7, where Achan’s secret sin—taking devoted items from Jericho—brought defeat and judgment upon the nation.
But let’s pause on his name. Achan. Doesn’t it sound a bit like “aching,” as in a deep, persistent pain? You know, like when someone says, “My back is aching,” and it might come out sounding like “My back is Achan.” It’s a playful twist, but it carries profound truth. In life, we often describe troublesome people or situations as “a pain in the neck” or “a thorn in my side.” Nobody likes pain—it’s an unwelcome intruder, a negative echo of humanity’s fall into sin. Yet, as we’ll explore, God can redeem even pain for our good, using it as an alarm to reveal deeper issues.
Consider my own story. Several years ago, I experienced severe abdominal pain from a tumor in my colon causing a bowel obstruction. That aching discomfort was unbearable, but it was also a lifesaver. It drove me to the emergency room, where tests revealed colon cancer. Without that pain, the cancer might have spread silently until it was too late. In hindsight, the pain wasn’t just a problem—it was a merciful alert to a far greater threat I didn’t even know existed.
Similarly, Achan became that “aching” pain for Israel. His hidden sin caused their shocking defeat at Ai, alerting the people that something was terribly wrong: sin in the camp. God used this troubler to expose and purge the issue, restoring His favor and leading them forward.
This principle echoes in the church today, though we must apply it carefully. Israel operated under a unique covenant with direct, corporate consequences for sin, including severe judgments like Achan’s stoning. In the New Testament era, we’re called to handle sin with grace and truth (John 1:17), confronting it lovingly as in Matthew 18:15-17 or Galatians 6:1.
Unaddressed sin can hinder a local church, as Paul warns: “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6). But the “Achan principle” shines brightest in our individual lives. God often permits pains—thorns, aches, troubles—to draw us closer to Him. Think of the Apostle Paul, who pleaded for relief from his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). God didn’t remove it; instead, He used it to humble Paul, prevent pride, and reveal His sufficient grace: “My power is made perfect in weakness.”
Not every pain stems directly from our sin, but God weaves it into His refining process, testing and shaping us to be more like Christ. That difficult person who feels like a constant “ache”? They might be the tool God uses to cultivate patience in us—after all, God is infinitely patient with us (2 Peter 3:9). Through relational tensions, whether in church, family, or marriage, leaning on Jesus can transform friction into growth, strengthening bonds rather than breaking them. Under the New Covenant, we don’t “take out” troublemakers as in Achan’s day; instead, we embrace the sanctifying work of the Spirit amid the strain.
C.S. Lewis captured this beautifully: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
Pain demands attention, awakening us to realities we’d otherwise ignore. As one preacher put it, guitar strings don’t make music on their own or bundled loosely in a package. But when stretched taut on a guitar and tuned properly, they create harmony. Too often, when we feel that stretch—that tension or pain—we seek escape. Yet, what we truly need is to devote ourselves to God, getting “in tune” with Him through prayer, His Word, and surrender.
At the heart of it all, much of our trouble isn’t rooted in circumstances or people, but in our own lack of devotion. Like Achan, we cling to substitutes—things we think we need more than God. These could be sinful pursuits, like illicit relationships or unchecked indulgences (alcohol, food, or otherwise), which bring their own destruction. Or they might be good things elevated to idols: success, relationships, or possessions that promise fulfillment but leave us empty, much like the Samaritan woman at the well who sought satisfaction in fleeting wells (one bad relationship after another) until she met the Living Water (John 4).
Whatever we can’t imagine life without becomes our functional god, and it will disappoint. Only Christ satisfies the deepest longings of our hearts (Psalm 107:9).
So, how do we deal with the “Achan” in our lives—that pain, thorn, or trouble? Don’t ignore or dismiss it; that only lets problems fester. Instead, turn to God for diagnosis and strength. Sometimes the ache signals self-inflicted wounds from sin, calling for repentance and renewal. Other times, it’s a divine tool for growth, urging us to endure and rely on Him. Either way, the remedy is the same: Draw near to the Lord. Seek His wisdom to discern the root (James 1:5), His power to overcome or persevere (Philippians 4:13), and His grace to refine us (Hebrews 4:16).
In my journey, I’ve discovered the biggest “Achan”—the greatest troubler—is often me. It’s the flesh within, that self-centered part craving control and chasing insatiable desires that lead to ruin (Romans 7:18-25). The true Achan needing to be “put to death” is this old nature, crucified with Christ so we can live by the Spirit (Galatians 5:24; Romans 6:6). And the key? Finding superior satisfaction in God alone, empowered by His Spirit to say no to lesser things.
As the old spiritual hymn reminds us: “Not my brother, nor my sister, but it’s me, O Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer.”
Yes, the ultimate answer lies in single-minded pursuit of God, as the psalmist declared: “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4
In the Old Testament, the temple was a physical place of God’s presence, accessible only to priests. But through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the veil is torn (Hebrews 10:19-22), and we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Dwelling in the house of the Lord means abiding in Christ continually—through prayer, worship, Scripture meditation, and community with believers (John 15:4-5; Ephesians 2:19-22).
Gazing upon His beauty is beholding Christ’s glory in the Word, where we see God’s character revealed: His love, holiness, and grace (2 Corinthians 3:18). Inquiring in His temple is seeking His guidance in every decision, not in a building, but in the intimate relationship made possible by the Spirit, who intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27). This pursuit transforms us from glory to glory, making even our pains instruments of praise to His name.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for using the “Achans” in our lives to draw us closer to You. Help us not to cling to substitutes but to find our all in Christ. Put to death the troubler within us, and tune our hearts to sing Your praises. Amen.
In the genealogies of 1 Chronicles, we encounter a brief but poignant mention of Achan, forever marked as “the troubler of Israel.” This reference harks back to the full story in Joshua 7, where Achan’s secret sin—taking devoted items from Jericho—brought defeat and judgment upon the nation.
But let’s pause on his name. Achan. Doesn’t it sound a bit like “aching,” as in a deep, persistent pain? You know, like when someone says, “My back is aching,” and it might come out sounding like “My back is Achan.” It’s a playful twist, but it carries profound truth. In life, we often describe troublesome people or situations as “a pain in the neck” or “a thorn in my side.” Nobody likes pain—it’s an unwelcome intruder, a negative echo of humanity’s fall into sin. Yet, as we’ll explore, God can redeem even pain for our good, using it as an alarm to reveal deeper issues.
Consider my own story. Several years ago, I experienced severe abdominal pain from a tumor in my colon causing a bowel obstruction. That aching discomfort was unbearable, but it was also a lifesaver. It drove me to the emergency room, where tests revealed colon cancer. Without that pain, the cancer might have spread silently until it was too late. In hindsight, the pain wasn’t just a problem—it was a merciful alert to a far greater threat I didn’t even know existed.
Similarly, Achan became that “aching” pain for Israel. His hidden sin caused their shocking defeat at Ai, alerting the people that something was terribly wrong: sin in the camp. God used this troubler to expose and purge the issue, restoring His favor and leading them forward.
This principle echoes in the church today, though we must apply it carefully. Israel operated under a unique covenant with direct, corporate consequences for sin, including severe judgments like Achan’s stoning. In the New Testament era, we’re called to handle sin with grace and truth (John 1:17), confronting it lovingly as in Matthew 18:15-17 or Galatians 6:1.
Unaddressed sin can hinder a local church, as Paul warns: “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6). But the “Achan principle” shines brightest in our individual lives. God often permits pains—thorns, aches, troubles—to draw us closer to Him. Think of the Apostle Paul, who pleaded for relief from his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). God didn’t remove it; instead, He used it to humble Paul, prevent pride, and reveal His sufficient grace: “My power is made perfect in weakness.”
Not every pain stems directly from our sin, but God weaves it into His refining process, testing and shaping us to be more like Christ. That difficult person who feels like a constant “ache”? They might be the tool God uses to cultivate patience in us—after all, God is infinitely patient with us (2 Peter 3:9). Through relational tensions, whether in church, family, or marriage, leaning on Jesus can transform friction into growth, strengthening bonds rather than breaking them. Under the New Covenant, we don’t “take out” troublemakers as in Achan’s day; instead, we embrace the sanctifying work of the Spirit amid the strain.
C.S. Lewis captured this beautifully: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
Pain demands attention, awakening us to realities we’d otherwise ignore. As one preacher put it, guitar strings don’t make music on their own or bundled loosely in a package. But when stretched taut on a guitar and tuned properly, they create harmony. Too often, when we feel that stretch—that tension or pain—we seek escape. Yet, what we truly need is to devote ourselves to God, getting “in tune” with Him through prayer, His Word, and surrender.
At the heart of it all, much of our trouble isn’t rooted in circumstances or people, but in our own lack of devotion. Like Achan, we cling to substitutes—things we think we need more than God. These could be sinful pursuits, like illicit relationships or unchecked indulgences (alcohol, food, or otherwise), which bring their own destruction. Or they might be good things elevated to idols: success, relationships, or possessions that promise fulfillment but leave us empty, much like the Samaritan woman at the well who sought satisfaction in fleeting wells (one bad relationship after another) until she met the Living Water (John 4).
Whatever we can’t imagine life without becomes our functional god, and it will disappoint. Only Christ satisfies the deepest longings of our hearts (Psalm 107:9).
So, how do we deal with the “Achan” in our lives—that pain, thorn, or trouble? Don’t ignore or dismiss it; that only lets problems fester. Instead, turn to God for diagnosis and strength. Sometimes the ache signals self-inflicted wounds from sin, calling for repentance and renewal. Other times, it’s a divine tool for growth, urging us to endure and rely on Him. Either way, the remedy is the same: Draw near to the Lord. Seek His wisdom to discern the root (James 1:5), His power to overcome or persevere (Philippians 4:13), and His grace to refine us (Hebrews 4:16).
In my journey, I’ve discovered the biggest “Achan”—the greatest troubler—is often me. It’s the flesh within, that self-centered part craving control and chasing insatiable desires that lead to ruin (Romans 7:18-25). The true Achan needing to be “put to death” is this old nature, crucified with Christ so we can live by the Spirit (Galatians 5:24; Romans 6:6). And the key? Finding superior satisfaction in God alone, empowered by His Spirit to say no to lesser things.
As the old spiritual hymn reminds us: “Not my brother, nor my sister, but it’s me, O Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer.”
Yes, the ultimate answer lies in single-minded pursuit of God, as the psalmist declared: “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4
In the Old Testament, the temple was a physical place of God’s presence, accessible only to priests. But through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the veil is torn (Hebrews 10:19-22), and we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Dwelling in the house of the Lord means abiding in Christ continually—through prayer, worship, Scripture meditation, and community with believers (John 15:4-5; Ephesians 2:19-22).
Gazing upon His beauty is beholding Christ’s glory in the Word, where we see God’s character revealed: His love, holiness, and grace (2 Corinthians 3:18). Inquiring in His temple is seeking His guidance in every decision, not in a building, but in the intimate relationship made possible by the Spirit, who intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27). This pursuit transforms us from glory to glory, making even our pains instruments of praise to His name.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for using the “Achans” in our lives to draw us closer to You. Help us not to cling to substitutes but to find our all in Christ. Put to death the troubler within us, and tune our hearts to sing Your praises. Amen.