Participating in sin can only hurt yourself

Proverbs 29:24 (NLT)
24 If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself. You are sworn to tell the truth, but you dare not testify.


This proverb shows one of the results of being enticed by sin. The receiver of stolen goods, the one who receives stolen goods or the one who assists someone in stealing is as guilty as the one who stole the item. They have been drawn into the commission of a sin and now they cannot escape joining in the concealment of the sin. When questioned they should tell the truth, but the fear of their own participation keeps them from doing so.


The show COPS documents police activity in various cities. In one episode police arrived on the scene after an argument was reported. It seems one person had sold a car to a couple. The person selling the car had disclosed to the husband some of the issues around the car. The husband wanted a break on taxes so he had asked for the title transfer information to remain blank and he would fill it in later. The wife learned of the cars issues and wanted a refund not knowing what the man and husband had discussed. When the police looked at the title and saw the transfer information blank they told the seller he had a choice, accept the car back and give back the money, or pay the fines associated for not filling out the title transfer and still have someone complaining to him. Reluctantly the man took back the car and refunded the money because he knew he was in the wrong for trying to help the other individual for his own profit. It does not pay to participate in sin. In fact it can be very costly and leave a person with options they may not have chosen.