Sin seems to be on my mind pretty regularly these days. Obviously we all sin and even acknowledge our sin most times, but what’s interesting, is how we all justify it. When we justify sin, in my opinion, it’s a blatant disregard for God. We are pretty much saying, we don’t need Him and that Jesus dying on that cross for our sins, was for nothing. When we justify sin, we do it because we want what WE want, and not what God wants. You know, being selfish, as usual.
My heart holds much conviction about certain things; things that affect me, my family, and my friends. And because of this, I struggle with how to deal with my own sin…….and the sin of others. Maybe you can’t relate, but maybe you can? I’m really bad about comparing sin. You know, like, I drink way too much soda (when I know it’s not good for my body), but it’s not as bad as, say, alcohol…..right? Justifying sin.
So why is it so hard to be good? God did make each of us unique, but we are also to be of the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.”
God asks us to change and put off sin, not make excuses for it. When WE control our flesh, Satan boldly and creatively slithers his way in and justifies our sins. But when we allow the Lord to work through us, we can choose to change how we sin, and how we deal with sin. We need to constantly ‘inspect’ the fruit so that it doesn’t get rotten.
I pray that God will continue to lay conviction on my heart on things He wants changed. I pray that the conviction is so heavy and undeniable, that my only choice will be to change into what He wants me to be.
Ephesians 4:20-25 “But that isn’t what you were taught when you learned about Christ. Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness — righteous, holy, and true. So put away all falsehood and “tell your neighbor the truth” because we belong to each other.”
I struggle with this daily and only pray that the Lord completely and fully reveals himself to me, enabling me to see my sinful nature for what it really is. All too often do I try to justify my sins, comparing myself to others. Thankfully, our God is a merciful God!!
This is good stuff Lori! We All struggle with this I think! I am so happy to see that God is working on so many hearts… Not just mine! God is rocking my world right now! So excited to see where he is taking all of us!
Amen Sister! Great ‘sermon’ to remind us how easily we do take away from God’s standards. Appreciate you sharing this so beautifully.
Very nicely said:). Thank you, you ‘ve some good food for thought and meditation. HUGZ:)
Lori, great post! Our lives are changed from one degree of glory to another (2 Cor 3:18) so that we are continually growing in the Lord as we age, up until the Lord takes us home. The Spirit convicts us, guides us, counsels us, and leads us closer to the Lord if we let him, purifying us in the refiner’s fire so that when we’ve finished the race, we can go home. We are weak, but we can be filled with God’s strength to overcome sin. We can’t do it by ourselves, no way. The closer we get to the Lord, the more we hate sin in our life and learn to kick it out of our lives with the Spirit’s help. The fruits of the Spirit flourish as a tree planted to a stream of water.
By the way, me dear husband went home suddenly last fall to be with the Lord. He had a blood clot that no one knew about. He had a good annual check-up just four days before. But the blood clot went to his heart and he died quickly they said. We had talked together earlier in the year about how we looked forward to Heaven. I’m so happy for him, but I miss him terribly!!
amen :)