Who sits on the throne?

Last night I watched two episodes of an old crime drama that I’d not watched for years. The crimes were senseless and horrible. What interested me was the way the authorities profiled the suspects before discovering who they were by using psychology and probability. At the same time, I wondered if fiction like this was based on actual fact. Do people actually do the awful things portrayed? I do not live in that world. However, as I read the Bible and Charnock’s book, the awareness of sin and it’s power over human hearts, the threat of sin in our world heightens my desire to make known the goodness of God.

God’s authority is challenged by ignoring His laws for life: “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4) Lots of that going around.

Sin robs memory — God is forgotten as Lord of all, even by His people. He warned them, reminding them of His goodness but aware of their stubborn hearts: 

Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery… (Deuteronomy 8:11–14)

God is dishonored by sin: “You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.” (Romans 2:23) To obey our own wills rather than the will of God is to prefer ourselves as our own boss, not God. Sin disrespects His authority and His glory. The whole world suffers as sin rules and ruins so many lives.

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:7–8)

Sin wants God to change His will to match ours, a slam against His authority and holiness, if I want to change His sovereignty to suit my I-wants. Such pride. So much like Satan who is described: 

You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ (Isaiah 14:13–14)

And was not this his first temptation to humans as he suggested: “You shall be as gods” and still his chief weapon and lie? He wants us to desire equality with God and independence from Him as our Lord? This attitude was fatal to the devil and it will also ruin us. He promotes the antichrist notion that opposes and exalts self against every so-called god or object of worship. He wanted to take his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4). This is an apt description of sin, something like the prophet described:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way…  (Isaiah 53:6)

Instead of God’s way. 

Sin is also a slippery slope. In one of those shows, it drove a woman to imagine herself as Cinderella who killed every man that she determined was not her prince. In the other, a sinful desire to be famous resulted in many deaths. Both started out with basic human desires to do well but those desires became twisted and spiraled out of control.

PRAY: Jesus, one rebellious thought can lead to another, or a lie, or excuses and denial, and on into much worse. History is real, not too different from a fictional television drama. My prayers are for all who serve You that they remain relying on Your saving power. And for all who do not know You, that You will open their hearts to their need to be forgiven and have Your life in them so they can stay off that slippery slope and instead grow in godliness. I pray for myself too, that I will walk always in Your grace and strength, always able to recognize the tempter’s lies but even more, always aware of who You are and why fitting in with Your will is always the best choice.