THE GRIP OF SIN

 

 

Sin is powerful. It is deceptive and can commandeer our mind into thinking it’s okay, distorting all of our thought processes. How? Normally when we sin, an alarm sounds, which requires us to take action. We can confess the sin and commit to turning from it - repentance, the way of peace. More likely, we will make excuses for ourselves or simply suppress the alarm.

 

However, when it is banished into the unconscious, it is free to operate. Yet, it will continue to pop up like the beach ball we try to keep submerged in the water—a continual struggle, which deprives us of peace. Even worse–-our minds go on the defensive to align all of our thinking to protect our sin and to quarantine feelings of guilt and shame. Consequently, we begin to make allowances for all forms of sin, perhaps even under the excuse of being “tolerant.”

 

This is especially true regarding sexual sin, even pornography, which afflicts churchgoers almost as much as the general public, according to a recent study:

 

·       Over half of men aged 18-49 label pornography as morally acceptable. What’s even more disturbing is that 50% of those who claimed their religion was important to them, also said porn was morally acceptable. https://www.christianpost.com/voices/why-are-most-christian-men-living-sexually-immoral-lifestyles.html

 

Sexual sin is particularly self-destructive:

 

·       Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)

 

It is easy to rationalize the sin of pornography as “harmless” and to forget that it is a form of adultery:

 

·       “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)

 

Jesus warned of its seriousness. If we do not repent, it would even be better for us to pluck out our eyes, if that would keep us from going to hell. (Matthew 5:28-29)

 

In any event, we cannot allow sin to dominate our lives. But how can we prevent this? The solution is easy and quick. Repent:

 

·       “Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for your sins have brought you down. Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord. Say to him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you our praises.” (Hosea 14:1-2 ; NLT)

 

You might say, “I’ve already done this, and I continue to return to my sin.” Don’t give up - the answer is simple and quick: Continue to repent! You are praying according to God’s will. Therefore, God is at work:

 

·       And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. (1 John 5:14-15; NLT)

 

As we continue our struggle against sin, be confident that the Lord is aware of the torment of our struggle and will establish us:

 

·       So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you…In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. (1 Peter 5:6-7, 10; NLT)