When Sin Tracks You Down

I’m not sure not sure if this has made either cable news or the mainstream news media in the United States, but it’s all over facebook.

Andy Bryon, the married CEO of the tech company, Astronomer, was recently caught on the Jumbotron at a Coldplay concert canoodling with his newly promoted HR Director, Kristin Cabot.

Apparently the footage has gone viral when they realized they were on camera and she spun away and hid her face as he crouched down out of the frame.

Upon seeing their reaction, Coldplay’s Chris Martin quipped from the stage, “Oh! What? Either they’re having an affair or they’re very shy.”

This morning I awoke to a supposed statement by Bryon apologizing to his wife, family, and company saying, “You deserve better from me as a partner, as a father, and as a leader.” However, the plot thickens as he now says this is a fake statement and he didn’t issue or authorize it. At this point neither Byron or Cabot have issued a statement or an apology.

Regardless of how this plays out, it’s a serious and sobering reminder of a statement spoken by Moses to tribes of Ruben and Gad, warning them to keep their word about their inheritance in the Promised Land. If they failed, Moses said, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num 32:23).

The Message, not a literal translation, but a paraphrase, says, “You can be sure that your sin will track you down.”

The TEV renders this, “Make no mistake about it; you will be punished for your sin.

This principle, is not a threat, but a warning that sin will finally catch up with you. It reminds us our own accountability and responsibility. That sin is never hidden from God. And that sin has consequences. The Bible is replete with examples of those whose sin was exposed.

After entering the land, Israel failed to obey God. Worshiped idols. And compromised their identity. Their sin became evident. And they were punished.

King David, a man after God’s own heart, allowed his lust to cloud his better judgment and committed adultery. While David went to great lengths to cover his tracks and hide his sin, it was a futile effort. David, to his regret and shame, learned the truth of this unfailing law, “your sin will find you out.” The baby born to his illicit union with Bathsheba died. His family was torn apart. And both David and the nation of Israel suffered as a result of his sin.

The principle of sowing and reaping is powerfully demonstrated in these examples. Whether it’s ancient Israel or a 21st century CEO. When we sow to the flesh, we will reap corruption.

And it’s not just famous, rich and powerful people who think they can live a double life and engage in improper and immoral behavior. How many preachers, pastors and supposedly “faithful church members” have engaged in clandestine conduct, only to be found out?

Sin has consequences. And it will ultimately reveal itself in some form or fashion.

It may be physical illness. Or emotional depression. Or a sexually transmitted disease.

Sin can rupture out relationships. Ruin our reputation. And wreck our marriage.

Sin may result in the loss of a job. Expulsion from college. Or lost opportunities.

Sin destroys trust. Harms our families. And hurts our friends.

Sin may not always be uncovered in this life. But God knows. And when the secrets of the Judgment day are exposed, it will be too late.

Sin will separate you from God eternally if it is not admitted and confessed with a penitent heart.

Your sin may not be exposed on a Jumbotron and plastered all over facebook for the whole world to see, but be sure of this: If unrepentant and unconfessed, “your sin will track you down.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman