OPENING THE DOOR TO SIN
by Judith A. Brumbaugh
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| It's so simple! |
"It's so simple." Has anyone ever said those words to you when
you're trying to learn something which you just can't "get"? They have
understanding; they have experience; they have expertise; and thus, it is simple
- to them. But you want to "get it" and just can't seem to. Then, all
at once the light bulb comes on, and it becomes sooooo easy. "Why didn't I
see that before," you say. Nothing has changed except now I see something
that was already there, and it works. That seems to be true of what God keeps
telling us about the gospel. "But I fear, lest by any means ...
your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."
(II Corinthians 11:3) The gospel is soooo simple, but are we trying to complicate it?
 | God simply says to JUST pray; yet, we have to go to a week-long conference to LEARN how to pray and then still don't pray! |
| He says to flee sin, but we have to spend weeks, months, sometimes years going through extensive counseling and deliverance to be freed from something that is controlling our lives. (However, what is often desired is deliverance without living a sanctified life. We want to hold on to patterns that God says are wrong.) |
| God tells us to daily study the Word, but we feel we don't have time to do that, so once a year, we do a crash course or attend a weekend revival or conference. |
| He tells us to hide His Word in our heart which means that we know it so well that we act upon it; but, when crises come, we turn to counselors, drugs and a depressed state; or, instead of sacrificially loving our spouse, we buy flowers or bake a favorite dessert! |
It's "kinda" like physical afflictions. We get a headache and immediately reach for the aspirin bottle which doesn't correct what created the headache (probably what was eaten, lack of rest, stress, etc.). The aspirin only covers symptoms which later in life can emerge in a life-threatening illness.
SIN STARTS WITH THE LITTLE THINGS OF LIFE
When we think about sin, our minds generally reflect upon examples such as hardened criminals, seasoned prostitutes, grossly wicked individuals, those who blatantly reject God. However, these people didn't become this hardened in their sins overnight. It started with the little things of life. Perhaps it was many learned unscriptural behavior patterns that weren't recognized as sin which were adapted. Maybe it was as "simple" as taking the LORD's name in vain. So many homes contain vessels empty of God's love and principles, even though the individuals may have knowledge of the Scriptures and may even attend church. They, however, are "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (II Timothy 3:7)
 The LORD said to Cain: "... IF thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door ..." (Genesis 4:7) |
Jesus says: "Behold, It is our choice to |
Sin isn't a physical characteristic such as the
color of our eyes or skin or whether we are male or female. It is something that we bring upon ourselves,
either through deception/ignorance or rebellion to the Word.
"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Do not err, my beloved brethren." (James 1:13-16)
Sin is
always lurking at the door - around the corner - to tempt us. It can be a
thought that we know is not right, a sinful desire that comes upon our body that
we didn't initiate, an unkind response to a friend, impatience or refusing to
communicate with a spouse on ALL issues, stealing time from God and our loved
ones because pressures of careers are placed above God and family.
Oftentimes, when things go awry between husbands and wives, there is one of
the partners who "leads the way" in creating the breakdown. The other
partner, not knowing how to process all the negative in his/her life begins to
take on negative attitudes, depression, unforgiveness and perhaps repressed
anger and bitterness. The latter are sin, but with different coatings. They are areas
in which many Christians falter. They become the catalyst for many falling away
from their faith as, over time, they become so discouraged that they begin to
commit some of the above-mentioned outward sins practiced by hardened
backsliders.
THE WORD NEEDS TO BE EXHIBITED
|
If we don't immediately resist Satan strongly and
consistently, he will continue attacks (through circumstances and our
thoughts) exposing our areas of weaknesses |
Quoting the Word does very little good if we don't exhibit it or cannot apply it in our lives, especially when things go awry; then we often blame God for our wrong choices. The common pattern with spiritual attacks, which all Christians have from time to time, is that they are persistent. If we don't immediately resist Satan strongly and consistently, he will continue attacks (through circumstances and our thoughts) focusing on our areas of weaknesses until HE wins over our desire to serve the LORD. Even when we resist him successfully in one area, he will attack in another. God has a simple remedy for us to implement: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)
OVERCOMING SIN
People whose lives have gotten out of order with God often want a quick
resolution; thus, they may resort to drugs or counseling - which at times may be
their only present solution. They may look to others to deliver them from what
is going on in their lives, in their heads, in their relationships. However, to
live a sanctified life when someone has been immersed in sin takes a lot of self-discipline
- a daily, or even hourly, casting down of wrong thoughts, of cleaning one's
physical and spiritual house of all temptations, of changing responses to God's
commands and loved ones. "I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me."
(Psalm 101:2,3)
God holds each person accountable for his own words, thoughts and actions. Man, however, tries to find a scapegoat such as the system, a spouse, a job or the circumstances. The latter opens the door to hardened hearts. Camouflaging our weaknesses (sin) with scapegoats can be deadly! Sin is something each person is expected to resist. However, most don't realize when taking the first bite of sweet candy (sin) that it will deaden the senses to the harmful effects of the sugar, chocolate and artificial coloring because it tastes sooooo good, and so we return to the box of candy until we have eaten all of it and then go to the store and buy some more! Likewise we can, "bite by bite," become ensnared in sinful actions which evolve into an addiction.
HOW NOAH PREPARED AN ARK TO SAVE HIS FAMILY
Much wisdom can be gleaned
from the account of Noah and how he "prepared
an ark to the saving of his house." "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."
(Hebrews 11:7) Noah lived among people who were so
evil that God eventually killed everyone except Noah and his family. He,
however, did not deliver Noah out of his surroundings. Noah had to build his
own ark (boat) to carry him through the unbelievable horrible storm
that would come upon the earth and drown every living person. BUT, the ark,
which would carry Noah and his family to safety, had to be built exactly
to God's - not Noah's - specifications. Noah didn't reject God's way when the
pressures of life might have become unbearable, or seemingly unfair or unjust;
but he chose to lead an obedient and righteous lifestyle. Thus, Noah
and his family were carried through the storm. Consider these principles as you build your
ark to take you through the storms of life. Write us if we may be of assistance.
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