Tag: temptations

Standing Against Sin

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17

Do you have an intense desire to sin?

I’m guessing no. Not many people do.

If that’s so, then why do we sin? Or why are we more apt to sin when surrounded by others who sin?

Because when one is in the midst of those who allow themselves to sin, our minds have one of two reactions: we either abhor it, wanting to run away or we smile, beginning to allow our minds acceptance. Enjoyment even.

It’s as if our minds begin to embrace sin when influenced by others around us.

If everyone around us enjoys partaking, it can’t be that bad, right?

Our flesh begins to agree and before you know it, we are full on sinning just like the others.

Doesn’t matter if you’re a Christian or not.

Doesn’t matter if you believe in the fruits of the Spirit or not.

Doesn’t matter if you pray or not.

Sin affects everyone. And its temptations lurk around every corner.

Knowing this, what’s the solution? The antidote?

To be aware. To recognize tempting situations, staying far away.

To share sinful behavior with the necessary authority, breaking the code of friendship.

Enjoying the sin of others, yet staying silent?

You’re guilty.

Know what is coming, yet say nothing at all?

You’re also guilty.

That’s the sin of omission.

When you intentionally neglect to do something you are obligated to do.

The sin of commission is doing the deed.

So, back to the original question: When a situation presents itself, do you have an intense desire to sin, or do you simply sit back and do nothing?

Stand for God’s truth. Stand for what’s right. And go and sin no more.

Photos by Papaioannou Kostas, Camylla Battani, Justice Amoh, & Aaron Burden on Unsplash

God or Our Flesh

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. Romans 7:25

Can I get a witness?

So true, isn’t it? Our minds long to serve God, yet our flesh longs to serve sin.

Waking up every morning, we once again purpose to walk within God’s plan for our day.

Yet how soon does our flesh rise up to sin?

Reacting with a snarky comment to our spouse.

Thinking of our own needs first instead of others.

Allowing an anxious thought to take root in our mind.

Believing a lie about our identity in Christ.

Lying to get out of a sticky situation.

Ignoring what you know you should accomplish, indulging in your flesh instead.

Becoming grumpy pants whenever things are not going your way.

Dwelling in self-pity or poor me.

Worrying to the point of fear filling your mind.

When we participate with sin, we are serving the law of sin.

Ouch. Do you want to serve sin?

Heck no. I’m not sure we consciously say to ourselves we want to serve sin as we indulge with our flesh.

But that’s what we do when we sin. We serve it. We agree with it because we succumb to it’s temptations.

But God is on the throne, His power to withstand is available to us – we only need to ask and then stand firm. Again and again. And again.

Lord, help us to continue in the mind of Christ, instead of living within the sin of our flesh.

Fill us with your Holy Spirit and help us to remember You with every thought as we go about our day.

Cement in our hearts Your ways, Your peace, and Your presence.

May we long for You more than our flesh.

Only with Your power within us will we ever have a breath of hope.

You are above our sin and we are nothing without You.

You are our God, forevermore reigning for all of eternity.

We praise You for thinking of us, helping us, and wanting us to follow in Your footsteps.

May we live to glorify Your name as we serve you instead of ourselves.

Photos by Karsten Winegeart, Jessica D. Vega, & Silvana Carlos on Unsplash