Thursday, August 28, 2008
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Struggling with Sin
Perhaps you have heard Christians say they are "struggling with" a particular sin. Maybe you have even said the same thing at times. I know that I have. When we are honest with ourselves, however, the real truth is that we actually often willingly embrace that which we know to be sinful and wrong. I may even find ways to justify my sin. And, I only say that I am "struggling with it" to make me feel better and to allow me to keep it for a while longer while I supposedly deal with it. If I am brutally honest, I may not really want it gone at all. Paul's words could be applied to anything that any of us are "struggling with":
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate to do . . . . I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing . . . . What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:14, 18-19, 24).
I'm not sure which particular sin causes you problems. For me, pride is a big one. When I am honest with myself, I actually find that I may not be at all upset by my sin. I don't hate it. I only don't like some of it's consequences in my life. If only I could keep it and somehow conceal or mask the parts that are not so good. I want to make my sin godly! In our struggle with this or any other sin, how easy it is to try and wrestle with our own flesh and blood instead of with the evil that breathes life — no, in actuality, death — into pride or anything else.
God has nothing good to say about pride (or any other sin for that matter!). "The LORD detests all the proud of heart" (Proverbs 16:5). "God opposes the proud" (Proverbs 3:34). "The proud he knows from afar"(Psalm 138:6). To become conceited or proud is to "fall under the same judgment as the devil" (1 Timothy 3:6), and we know that things have not gone well for him and they are scheduled to get even worse! God hates sin! All of it! Any of it! Even a little bit of it! Hates it! We know that. The only question is, what are we going to do about it?
I find that I have two choices. One bad and one good. One which takes me further away from God and one which brings me closer to him. I can continue to "struggle with" my pride, which is to hang on to it and have God humble me one day. Daniel said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "and those who walk in pride he — God — is able to humble" (Daniel 4:37). Not only is he able to, Matthew 23:12 says, "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled." That option doesn't seem very promising!
The second choice is better and is the one that God loves. Matthew 23:12 continues, ". . . and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." James 4:10 says, "Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up." Yes, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5, both quoting Proverbs 3:34). And is this not the example of Jesus whose attitude we are supposed to share, who even though he was God, humbled himself? (Philippians 2:5-6).
These scriptures have been specific to pride, but God's word can be found to apply to whatever sin it is that we struggle to overcome. Maybe it is time to stop struggling with and start fighting against! God extends his invitation to me and to you today. Stop struggling and get victory!
"Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! . . . 'Come now, let us reason together,' says the LORD. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.' For the mouth of the LORD has spoken" (Isaiah 1:16-20).
Because of Jesus, and only because of him, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). God, I admit that I desperately need your help in this battle against sin. I cannot do it on my own. I repent of the sin and repent for trying to handle it. In you, I find forgiveness and healing and restoration. I will stop struggling with sin and fight against it in the grace and strength that you provide and according to your word, I will overcome! Praise You!
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