[1/2 series]
Sin is born a time after its conception. To win over sin, we have to stop waiting to kill off sin in it’s fully developed state and start nipping it in the bud of its creation.
“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
– Romans 13:14
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
– Psalm 119:11
Sin it is anything that separates you from God, anything that compromises God’s word.
So let’s get textbook- because of the fall of man with Adam,Eve, and the serpent in the garden.. we get sin! what a joy! ….sike. We are now born into a world full of sin and opportunities to feed our own raging, inner, evil; the flesh. However, we know that because Jesus died on a cross for our sins. [1 Peter 2:24] We can live; no longer a slave to the sin and bondages in this world. We can be free. [John 8:36]
Because of Him we have the opportunity to be holy, because He is holy; pure, because she is pure.
Although all that is amazing, there is a portion to be done on our own part. Some people believe that one you get saved there is no more sin. I know it’s after Christmas but in the words of the grinch
“W-R -O-N-G —O!”
Jesus’ blood cleanses and sets free but it doesn’t purge you of your humanity rather it gives you life, supernaturally. The sinner’s prayer is not a magic spell to make fleshly urges and all evil and darkness in the world vanish. When you accept Jesus into your heart, you become free of your sin, not immune to it.
Am I saying it’s an impossibility for us to live clean, pure, and ‘sin-free’ lives? Of course not! However, I am saying that you are never “too good” to sin; allow me to explain.
There are those who make the misguided mistake of thinking “I’m saved, church is my life, I don’t drink or do drugs, I love Jesus and others.” and they will use that mentality as ground for them to go somewhere they shouldn’t go or to hang around people they shouldn’t hang around, etc. It’s easy to get a bad case of “humble haughtiness” in your spirit and think “I’m strong enough” or “I can handle it”
That’s just not too wise folks.
“When you accept Jesus into your heart, you become free of your sin, not immune to it.”
[1] Humble haughtiness says:
“I’m a Christian and I love Jesus, I can go to that party. If they ask me to drink, I’ll just say no.”
[2] Humble haughtiness says:
“I love Jesus and I love my spouse, I know my co-worker has feelings for me but the feelings are not mutual. So what’s the harm if we start texting?”
[3] Humble haughtiness says:
“I love Jesus and the bible.. I’m a Christian, I can make-out and heavy pet with my boyfriend/girlfriend, we believe in saving ourselves, so…t won’t lead to anything.”
[4] Humble haughtiness says:
“I’m saved, I know my friends aren’t but it’s okay. I’ll rub off on them before they rub off on me, I can handle the peer pressure.”
Humble haughtiness = A term I have created for the sake of this article that I will now create a definition for. [HA]
Humble haughtiness= A type of mentality that because of one’s righteous acts or salvation, they then justify putting themselves in a tempting situation.
Humble haughtiness puts their trust not in the Lord [Proverbs 3:5-6] but in their own righteousness and “discipline”. And yes, it is good to be righteous, to love Jesus, and to be strong- but not independent from God!
We must use wisdom in deciding where to go, what we tolerate, who we surround ourselves with because the reality is you are never ‘too good’ to sin. If put in the wrong place at the wrong time, all of us are susceptible to sin..
If you’re willingly putting yourself in a situation of temptation to sin then, well dear..
the odds are not in your favor.
–The situation of sin–
So here’s the key, the situation of sin is any situation you willingly put yourselves in where sin is likely to happen.
Let me paint you a few pictures based upon the 4 humble haughtiness scenarios mentioned above:
[1] Yeah you could be a Christian and go to that party and maybe you’ll be strong and the circle of people around you drinking won’t influence you, or, maybe it will and you’ll wake up tomorrow with a hangover. I wouldn’t risk it.
[2] Maybe you are faithful to your marriage, maybe you don’t have feelings for that co-worker…however, all it takes is a weak moment and an “innocent” thought and you’re headed for trouble. We must use wisdom.
[3] Perhaps you are both Christians and both believe in abstinence but you should know things can escalate quickly in the heat of a moment. Don’t wait till clothes are being shed to try to turn back. Purity is pursuing purity not seeing how much you can rub elbows with with sin without actually sinning.
[4] It’s not wrong to have friends that aren’t saved, but it is wrong to act like them. You’re a Christian, huh? You love Jesus? You can handle the peer pressure? Okay, but here’s a word of advice. If you live in a state of temptation around someone, it’s probably best to keep a safe distance.
Temptation is a force to be reckoned with, no one is above it.
Now Jesus promised us in the bible that He would provide a way of escape for us in temptation [1 Corinthians 10:13] However the bible also says this:
“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” -Romans 13:14
“..make not provision for the flesh..”
It simply isn’t wise to put yourself in a “situation of sin” or a place of temptation on purpose.
Guard your heart. Guard your salvation. Be sober. Be watchful.
The situation of sin is a very serious thing to understand and that is, even though you’re a Christian, acknowledge your weaknesses. Isaiah 64:6 says our righteousness is as rags.
So….
Ask Jesus for help. stay in the word. stay prayed up.
and just. use. wisdom. Job 28:18 says the price of wisdom is far above rubies!
The situation of sin is …stay out of sinful situations!
13″And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” – Matthew 6:13
NEXT ARTICLE : “The Position of Purity.”