“Those who do not think about their own sins make up for it by thinking incessantly about the sins of others.” ~ C.S. Lewis
Most people enjoy a delicious pulled pork or a pulled chicken sandwich or platter. You add some pickles, sauce, beans, slaw, potato salad, bread, and you have yourself some mighty fine eating. There is another thing in life that every human loves pulled, and that is sin. The word sin is broad and all-inclusive when addressing the subject of character defects, shortcomings, or flawed character. The Greek word for sin is hamartia, which means “missing the mark.”
There is a reason sin is so cunning, baffling, and powerful. It’s because the sinner is under the delusion that they can control the outcome. Sinners believe they can pull back the sin when every they wish because they are in control. All humans are sinners and fall short of perfection and the glory of God. Regardless of the sin, it always starts small and has the potential over time to become big enough to not only dominate our lives but destroy them as well.
13 No one who is tested should say, “God is tempting me!” This is because God is not tempted by any form of evil, nor does he tempt anyone. 14 Everyone is tempted by their own cravings; they are lured away and enticed by them. 15 Once those cravings conceive, they give birth to sin; and when sin grows up, it gives birth to death (James 1:13-15).
The delusion that we can pull back the sin at will must be eradicated. To live successfully in the world of the Spirit, we must have an accountability partner and an inner circle of trusted friends. We need people who will be transparent with us regarding the temptation and sin in our lives. Nothing grows in the dark. We are as sick as our secrets. The good news is we no longer have to be held captive to sin only by choice.
What temptations are lying in the dark for you right now? Why are you unwilling to bring them out of the darkness and into the light? You realize that you are under the delusion that you control the outcome and pull back the sin whenever you desire. Don’t let that be you. Confess your temptations and sins with a trusted source. Ask God for forgiveness, and shift your actions toward loving God and neighbor vs. pursuing your selfish desires, which will only tear your life apart and lead to your demise.
My Creator, You know my heart, and You know my ways. Please relieve me from the care, custody, and control that sin has over my life. Please help me muster the courage to bring these sinful secrets out of their hiding places and into the light so that You can free me from their bondage, renew my mind, and restore our relationship. In Your Spirit and Name, I pray these things. May Your will and not mine be done now and forever. Amen.
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