FROM THE DAWGHOUSE…
WHEN YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT SINNING
Honestly, there are times when we’re thinking about sinning ahead of time. Before we do it. How does it play out in your head?
Probably it’s not all super consciously, but semi-consciously at least. Sometimes it’s like: “I want to do X but I know it’s wrong, but…ah, I want to do it!” Then you decide yea or nay. Up or down. To sin or not to sin, that is the question.
Having had such an existential experience recently, I did some thinking about it in my DAWG this morning, and I came up with some not-so-definitive but helpful thoughts. Here they are:
When we contemplate sinning, we should factor in these realities:
- Jesus had to die a horrible death on a cross for the sin I’m now considering, in order that I might be forgiven for my sins and connected to God for eternity!
- Jesus had to die for my sins in order that I might not be a slave to sin anymore and HAVE to sin. The sin I’m contemplating doing, I don’t have to do. I’m free in Christ not to do it. I simply need to claim my freedom from sin (Romans 6), and then discipline myself and perhaps divert myself from that sin.
- Sin is often, in the short term, quite pleasurable, thus, difficult to want to not do.
- Sin always has negative consequences in my soul and/or key relationships. I will eventually feel bad and suffer for this sin.
- Satan or one of his slaves is nearby.
- If I actually carry out that sin, Satan or one of his opportunist, sniveling yes-men is nearby to take advantage by promoting more sin in my life and hammering a wedge between me and the Father.
- I’m probably tired, under pressure, filled with anxiety or all of those. I may want to sin in order to avoid facing what I’m really going through right now and ‘feel better’.
Know thyself! The more armor you wear on a regular basis, the more protected you are from enemy bullets. Know when you’ve taken off some or all of your armor (Ephesians 6:10-20). As a soldier of Jesus Christ, we have to know when we’re vulnerable. We have to have our head on a swivel. No DAWG, no church, little Christian fellowship, mental, physical, emotional strain=vulnerability.
1 John 1:5-2:3
Walking in the Light
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Christ Our Advocate
2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
Great men as God defines greatness seek holiness. We’re saints after all, by the grace of God!
Strength and Courage,
Pete Alwinson
