Dealing with Sin

 Sin starts in the mind, at least that is my experience. I think something selfish or untoward about others. I might start verbalizing my thoughts, depending on that inner drive to get some attention or make my complaint (or boasting or whatever) known. I also might act on it, like avoid the person that upsets me, or be snippy with other people, or tell tales that are ought not to be told.

Most of the time I’m quickly aware of what I’m doing and want to make it right. Not always, but if joy is gone, I know that I’ve a need to confess. Here is where today’s devotional offers good advice. The verses about confession are clear:

If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 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. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:6–10)

Even though I have known and made much of verse 9 being vital to spiritual growth, getting to it has a couple of detours. One is being surprised that I thought or did the selfish thing and am suddenly discouraged and want to give up thinking I will never able to conquer that thing, whatever it is. Usually a repeat.

The other problem is calling it an infirmity that is simply part of life and refusing to be candid and above-board about it. This is a reflection of Satan’s words: “Oh, it really isn’t so bad.”

Either of these two excuses is fatal to any real growth and progress in the life of holiness. The only way is to face the sad fact at once, call the thing by its right name, and discover, if possible, the reason and the remedy.

Rarely is the reason an infirmity. God promises to supply all my needs. I’m not physically infirm (blind, deaf, crippled, etc.) nor are we suffering poverty, difficulties with family or neighbors or in our church. I’m not lonely, afraid, depressed, nor struggling with anything more than a lot of ambition and less energy and time to take care of the necessities of being a wife, mom, gran, homemaker, etc. I am also thankful for God’s goodness and yet I still can be overcome with selfishness.

This says much about the latent power of that old dead nature. It does keep trying to rise again, yet Jesus declares it dead to Him and me alive to God. Such a war, yet that Word of God promises victory, if not now, certainly eventually.

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3:2–3)

Again, life with Christ requires total honesty with Him and with myself. Sin is only a momentarily disturbance as long as I deal with it honestly. Today’s devotional reminds me that any failure, sudden or otherwise, is no reason for being discouraged and giving up all as lost. The integrity of what I believe is not touched by my failures. Because of Christ, this is my walk, not my state before God. The highway of holiness is not a place but a way. Sanctification is not a thing to be picked up at a certain stage of our experience and forever after possessed; it is a life to be lived day by day and hour by hour. I may for a moment turn aside from a path, but the path is not obliterated by my wandering and can be instantly regained. Such is the grace of God.

PRAY: Salvation is complete and assured. Not because of my performance but because of Your shed blood, Your grace and forgiveness. Jesus, You are the reason I live and my hope. Even when I stumble, You pick me up, dust me off, hear my prayers, and give me deep joy. For this, I love You and eagerly look to You, even when flat on my face. Thank You so much for all that You are and do.

Victory over evil

 

In August, a study of loving as God loves changed many things about the way I understand how much God loves me, and it changed the way I talk to people. This month’s study on one subject, spiritual warfare, made me more aware of the battle and better equipped to fight it.

Today, MacArthur winds up with things I need to remember for this month of studies. My first thought was “Oh good, a review” but then thought, “Good thing I don’t rely on my memory to keep me on the right path, but on the Holy Spirit whom the Father sent in Jesus’ name to teach me all things and bring to my remembrance all that Jesus said to me.” (John 14:26) My part is reading, praying, and paying attention. He speaks when I need to hear Him. That said, there are principles important for victory when battling the forces of evil.

Satan is a defeated foe. Jesus already beat him so our victory is assured. Losing a skirmish happens but He won so His people will also ultimately win.

 . . . The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8)

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Hebrews 2:14–15)

Christ is the power in my life, not the enemy. Satan can do only what God allows. Consider Job’s story:

Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1:9–12)

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

. . . He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Wear that armor at all times. It’s foolish to enter combat without proper protection, yet my memory and easily distracted mind will fail me unless I am in the Word each day and thinking about the wonder and power of God compared to my feeble inability.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. (Proverbs 3:5–7)

Let Christ control. Whatever is on my mind is what I talk about and take action regarding; therefore, I need to “Destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when my obedience is complete.” (2 Corinthians 10:5–6) This is part of what it means to Love God with all my mind — think right and do right.

Pray, pray, pray! Prayer is a mystery — yet it is also like learning to understand and speak the will of God. This comes with practice, trial and error even, but praying about everything, from direct assaults to the need for a parking place is part of what it means to rely on God for everything. These verses are vital in the battle:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16)

Pray without ceasing, (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Resist Satan by yielding to God, this is the bottom line and needs to be done in that order. If there is any sin or rebellion against God in my life and heart, the enemy already has me down. I cannot fight evil when I’ve given in to it. Remember his devices and don’t dabble in the forbidden. Instead . . .

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

PRAY: Jesus, Your love and power are a constant amazement and delight. Battle leaves scars, but it also brings great victory, a victory that is certain because of all that You have done, and all that You promise me. Thank You.

PONDER: and pray through all that God is saying to me today and rejoice in His grace as well as His power.