Recognizing Sin

[shortlady]

RECOGNIZING SIN

Temptation isn’t sin but when you yield into it then you begin to sin. Sin is not an external force but it begins within us. The word says in Mark 7: 20 -23 “And he said, that which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” We need to ask God to search our hearts and our motives towards each other Jeremiah 17:9 say “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Only God can understand it “men sees the outward appearance God searches the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).”

So often we some up things I make it appear to be evil and not because it is but it is because of the motives of the heart. For example when I look at a guy I can say he is fine, handsome and etc… but that is not sinning cause you giving someone a compliment but when the thought comes in my head to do xyz with the fella that is lust.

But we must cast down every vain imagination, everything that is contrary against the word of God and put control on our minds because that is where sins begin. James: 14-15 says “but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Let me break it down for you we are tempted by our own desires we know our weaknesses so we must be real with ourselves for some it is stealing, lying, drunkardness, fornication, etc… That is our carnal desires when we see the opportunity to act on any of these sins we are entice and dragged into it. After the desire is conceive you can see a way in doing in and not get caught and we do it then it is sin and after all that sin leads to death and separation from God.

So when we come to the harsh reality that we are not perfect that the enemy will not give up on tempting us and know what our limitations are ask God to search your heart and when you call on Jesus know that He will be right there after all “He will not leave us or forsake us (Hebrew 13:5).”

Love Nena

 

[To Christ]

When you are faced with a temptation—run the other direction.
II Timothy 2:22, "Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts that young men often have, but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right. Have faith and love, and enjoy the companionship of those who love the Lord and have pure hearts."

Prayer strengthens us against temptation.
Mark 14:38, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

Meet temptation with God's Word.
Matthew 4:1,3,4, "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. The tempter came to Him and said, 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread:' Jesus answered, "It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to resist.
I Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

Those who do not yield to temptation will be rewarded.
James 1:12, "Happy is the man who doesn't give in and do wrong when he is tempted, for afterwards he will get as his reward the crown of life that God has promised those who love Him."

So when we come to the harsh reality that we are not perfect that the enemy will not give up on tempting us and know what our limitations are ask God to search your heart and when you call on Jesus know that He will be right there after all “He will not leave us or forsake us (Hebrew 13:5).”

Love Nena

Nena's insight here is so important to our obedience and understanding of the Scriptures. Many of us must learn the same lessons several time before recognizing how to allow the Spirit of God to search our hearts. I pray that not anyone will take the Scripture as a condemnation, it they have fallen short. Our Lord knows our hearts, and whoever is willing to abide in Jesus and keep asking for Him to show the way will be able to live by the Bible verses. It is a process, and sometimes seems too long for our patience.

For any who are prone to remain in regret for coming short of the Scripture counsel, just know it is there for correction. Not any person on the planet gets it right the first time for everything. And usually not the second or third. Even knowing what is true penetance, though it can be enabled by confession to a brother or sister, is revealed only by the Spirit of God.