[332 words]
As I type, Monday is knocking at the door! Challenges lay ahead, temptation is on both sides of the road, and Satan is waiting for me to step off the path I walk with Jesus. You and I will battle sin every hour and every day this week. The Good News is Jesus Christ. The Good News is we can win this battle! As we prepare our battle plan, we must know what we are up against. Let’s look at the nature of sin. Heath Rogers, in his book entitled, Overcoming Sin, says “Sin is not an abstract thought, but a real and present force in our world and in our lives.”
Sin is deceptive. Heb. 3:13 says, “But exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Sin deceived Eve by making her believe there were no consequences (Gen. 3:4).
Sin makes false promises. Gen. 3:4 says, “Then the serpent said to the woman, You will not surely die.” When we choose sin we are fooling ourselves not thinking of the consequences of our actions.
Sin makes itself attractive. Gen. 3:6 says, “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” Many times we choose something we think is desirable only to discover we have been fooled.
Sin is enslaving. Proverbs 5:22 says, “His own iniquities entrap the wicked man. And he is caught in the cords of his sin.” We have to deal with the consequences of our choice!
Sin destroys. Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” Sin destroys lives, families, friendships, churches, and nations.
With Christ, we can with the battle AND the war (John 16:33)!
Allen Jones
Glasgow, KY