Sin is very insidious. It is a destructive power that most fail to recognize.
Remember your first beer? It took so very little to achieve a buzz or feel good state, then after awhile it took a lot more to get to that feeling?
Marijuana starts out small you think its no big deal but it makes you think it ain't so bad... And if this isn't so bad the others must not be. That is why it is called the gate way drug. It gets you used to a certain feeling then you need more to achieve that "High",
Cigarettes, when you start smoking you don't intend to end up at 3 packs a day.
Sex, you see her, you flirt, hold her hand and then you kiss and soon you are in bed in an immoral relationship.
It all starts small. Remember what the Word of God says:
James 1:14-16King James Version (KJV)
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
Lust is not just for Sex. Lust is also applied to wanting more beer, a bigger better "High", Lust of the flesh is just that -- feeding the flesh, the natural man to the point of excess.
James says and I paraphrase here " Make no mistake about it brother Sin kills". 2000 years ago they knew this!
We in our advanced intelligence of the 21st century have forgotten this. Instead today we promote the "if it feels good do it" thing. We have gotten away from sin and the consequences thereof. We have failed to instruct a younger generation, we have failed to preach the rewards of wrong doing!
Sin is of a good appearance, it is enticing, it is "fun", but beneath the surface of the sin lurks none other than Death.
The steps of degradation do not show up and wave at you. No. They appear a little at a time and almost never to the person in the throes of Sin. It usually is only apparent to the people around you watching you be consumed.
Now I know you are aware of these things, that you know the sin effects. The curse of the lust of the flesh. What's the cure?
1 Peter 4:1-3King James Version (KJV)
4 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
Being like-minded with Christ. That is how we do it. That is how we stay clean.
The biggest problem with that though is that we have to work so hard to be like Christ, whereas sin comes so easy to us.
We must feed the Spirit. We must feed the spiritual man. Get in God's Word. Pray. Go to the Garden in the Morning and spend time with God.
As the drinking, drugs, et al become a habit so must our immersion in the Word. We must get our whole way of thinking changed and the only way to do that is to start small. Perhaps we do not do this because we try to do it in our own power. We try to do it in our physical prowess.
We will never get a regimented devotional time going by ourselves. We will only do it by the Power of God. I am telling you that you may have the best of intentions, you may have willpower to spare... But when you sit down to read God's Word you will be attacked. Satan and his army will throw everything including the kitchen sink at you.
Turn off all the distractions, phone, tv, radio, etc. This is why a prayer closet is so important. Nothing is in a closet. No traffic,no business, no distractions. It is the one place in a house no one goes except when there is a need. There is a need. It is a need to seek God. To tune out the world so that you can prepare yourself for the battles, the temptations of the day.
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