Christian Living

SIN IS A CHOICE

by paul hoffmaster
01/17/21
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Sin is a conscious act of doing something that is contrary to the Divine nature within us.  Sin can be displayed as an outward act as well as through the thought process.  Sin can be committed by an act of commission or omission.  It has no power unless one acts on it.  Sin is introduced by temptation.  Sin is to Satan as Faith is to God.  Satan wants control while God wants commitment.   Sin divides, Faith unifies.  Both sin and Faith express themselves through works.  Sin’s expression is through the flesh, while Faith is activated through the spirit.  Sin that is not acted upon lies dormant and ineffective.  It is only when it is acted upon that we are exposed to Satan’s kingdom.   Sin is a virus that will continue to be a pandemic until the day of Judgement.  Until that time Satan’s “covid” will continue to run rampant. 

It is imperative Believers realize that by the blood of Jesus they have received the vaccine that will offer a defense against sin.  His blood, along with the booster called Faith will produce an anti-sin serum.  Satan realizes that obedience to God’s Word is a threat to his kingdom, so he will strive to get Christians to neglect the Word.  His enticements are powerful and he knows there is a potential to “deceive the very elect.” (Matthew 24:24)  One of the objectives of Satan is to entice Believers to rearrange their priorities to favor their flesh instead of their spirit.  The Bible teaches that we are to “follow His steps: who did no sin…” (I Peter 2:21, 22)  Jesus was tempted “…like we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

When sin knocks at the front door, don’t answer it!  When sin entices us with the “forbidden fruit,” realize we are full of the fruit of the Spirit.  Satan knows our weaknesses and will use them to draw us away from the Word.  What Believers need to do is alleviate those vulnerable areas in their lives through Biblical obedience.  We need to die daily to our carnal nature. (I Corinthians 15:31)  James gave us two powerful words of action that every Believer needs to understand: submit and resist.  “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)  Submit is to commit.  Resist is to withstand.

The Battle of Wilderness was the ultimate temptation of Jesus.  Through His struggle for forty days and nights, Jesus submitted unto God and resisted the challenges until Satan finally withdrew from the battle a defeated foe. (Matthew 4 and Luke 4)  What kind of struggle have we waged against sinful acts and thoughts?  God has given us the power, but we have to use that power.  He has given us the battle gear, but we have to put it on.  I love the blessings of God, but we must never let the blessings blind us to the enemy of our faith.  When sin presents its enticements, let us say with a loud and emphatic voice, NO!!

NOTE:  When we do slip-up Jesus is there to intercede to God on our behalf.  Let us hope He does not have to intercede on regular basis!