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| The
Problem of Sin
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I can remember
learning my first lesson in spiritual dedication when I was
just a boy. As the month of June approached, I grew excited
about the close of another school year. I could not wait for
the summer to begin. One night I expressed this immense joy to
my parents by saying, “I sure am excited about having the
summer off from school and from church.” They promptly
explained to me the difference between school and church and
the importance of the worship service. As I matured over the
years, I realized more and more that being a Christian calls
for our full dedication to the Lord. The Lord was serious when
He said that we need to present our bodies a living sacrifice
to Him (Rom 12:1). It is important that we give time and
thought to the subject of sin. The book of James provides some
insight into this matter.
Sin comes from within. James tells us that temptation
does not come from God. It comes from within each of us when
we are drawn away by our desires and enticed (Jas 1:14).
Lay aside filthiness. There is plenty of filth for
Christians to get involved in. James tells us to lay it aside
along with our overflow of wickedness (Jas 1:21). It’s
interesting what he tells us to replace it with; we need to
receive the gospel, the implanted word, with meekness. This
means to open yourself up to the word and soak it in. Why?
Because the word is able to save your soul. We spend too much
time soaking up the filth and wickedness that the world has to
offer. When you sit down and meditate on all the garbage you
let enter your mind it will surely make you sick. Let us spend
more time filling our hearts and minds with God’s word,
which will guide us to heaven.
Submit to God and draw near to God: Satan will flee.
James tells us that our inner war is fought on the grounds of
our desire for sin and our desire to be righteous. Sometimes
we lose this daily war because we get too close to the world.
When you are close to the world you gravitate to places and
people who are completely ungodly. James tells us that
friendship with the world is enmity with God (Jas 4:4). I
would much rather be a friend of God, like Abraham, than be
His enemy. James goes on to tell us that if we submit to God
and resist the devil, he will flee from you. Isn’t that a
comforting thought. We really can defeat Satan if we will only
try. Are you trying? Are you having any success? If you are
submitting to God, then I am sure you are finding that way of
escape God provides. When I am tempted by Satan, I apply some
useful techniques that may work for you. First, I get myself
away from the temptation. Remember Joseph had to run away from
the problem. Second, I pray that God will give me the strength
to overcome. Then I do my best to kick self-control in high
gear. When I am successful and have overcome sin, I say “hit
the road Satan” under my breath and it makes me feel better.
Finally I pray to God and thank Him for the strength He gave
me to win this battle.
I hope we realize the severity and the danger of sin. Satan
wants our souls so we better be aware of our own shortfalls
and work hard to win those daily battles. One of the saddest
lines in our song books is “almost persuaded, almost but
lost”. We can’t almost make it to heaven. I am afraid we
don’t seriously work hard enough on defeating those things
that will keep us from getting there.
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has
been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the
Lord has promised to those who love him” (Jas 1:12).
Steve Bockmiller
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Copyright (C)
2009
Southside Church of Christ
All rights reserved.
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