« #1 Winning the Battle Over Sin... | Main | #3 VICTORY IS POSSIBLE! »
January 26, 2012
#2 Take Responsibility for Sin
Yesterday I mentioned that Sin is pleasurable. It really is, it feels good, even great, in the moment. But it's a pleasure that is temporary, and requires more sin in order to feed the pleasure. We all know what I mean.
Circumstances often trigger our sin and shape the form it takes, but they don't cause it. The root cause of our sin is always our hearts and their sinful desires. We sin because we believe lies about God, instead of believing (trusting) God's Word, and also because we choose to worship idols instead of God. An doesn't have to be a wood carving of some god. It's anything that takes the place God deserves in our lives.
If the problem with sin were simply our eyes, then the solution would be simply to avert our eyes. But if the problem is in our heart, then the solution must be much more fundamental. So we need to ask ourselves, When is it that I commit this sin? What's going on in my heart when I turn to this sin?
I know people, especially men, groan when I say this, but you might find it helpful to keep a journal. Here's what I mean, it's actually really simple. Keep a notebook, and everyday you start with the same word, "Yesterday" and then you write a paragraph about yesterday. If you sinned, write about it to determine the answers to the questions above. When were you tempted? How were you feeling? What was on your mind? This may help you see what's going on in your heart when you struggle. You may begin to see, why you turn to that particular sin, and what it provides for you. Does it offer an escape? Is it an act of revenge, or trying to punish someone else? This happens with husbands and wives. Is it a way of feeling powerful, or loved or wanted? Is it a reward you give to yourself? Is it a way to take the stress/edge off?
You can then begin to identify the false promises that sin makes to you. And then you can also identify the liberating/freeing truth of the gospel that can begin to set you free.
It's important to remember here, anything can become sin to us. If it controls us, and if we allow it to have the place God should have in our lives. Don't just keep dancing with sin, don't be a victim, take responsibility.
Tomorrow: Victory over Sin is Possible!
Pastor Ed
Posted by: ed