08/17/2021
Do we tolerate sin, even those that we feel are insignificant, and allow them to remain in us? When we let the smallest of sins hover over us, or make its home within us without addressing it, and casting it out, what effect does it have on us as a whole? When we allow it to go without feeling remorseful, contrite, and asking for forgiveness, then we suffer physically, mentally, emotionally, and most of all spiritually.
“There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin.”
Psalm 38:3 ESV
I used to play sports, but now that I am older, I enjoy watching them. However, there was a lesson that I learned while playing them that still holds true as I watch them. When your team is obviously better and stronger than your opponent, and you run up a nice lead over them, you can’t slow down your attack, and allow them to linger in the game. You must put the game away, or increase your lead to the point that it takes the other team out of the game. In our contest against Satan, and sin this is especially true. When we are wrestling with a sin, and have gained the upper hand against it, and its temptation, we need to defeat it, pin it, or drive it from the field… we need to put it away by praying for forgiveness, and obeying what Jesus said so often when He would forgive someone of their sin… “Go and sin no more.” You see, when we allow an opponent to feel like they can be successful against us then it encourages them, and as they are being given hope, we are busily losing our edge, and focus. When this happens strong teams are beaten by weak ones, great wrestlers are pinned to their backs, and yes, sin entrenched itself in us.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
1 Peter 5:8 KJV
There is another analogy we can wisely apply to sin, and that is this… one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch, or in other words, a little yeast spreads throughout an entire lump of dough causing it all to rise. This is true with the company we keep, because we are prone to follow others, or go with the flow, and it also true with our more personal, and individual temptations and sins. Allowing even the tiniest of sins a foothold in us leads to much greater transgressions and sins.
“A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”
Galatians 5:9 KJV
This sounds like common sense, but when we don’t apply it to our wounds, then even the most common of remedies are of no use, and tiny cuts become festering sores, then eventually poison our blood… and finally, entire bodies and minds. Sin is like a cancer that spreads throughout a person’s body. It eventually effects their mind, and can even destroy their faith as well. Have you ever seen sickness cause someone to lose faith, even those around them?
“For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: As an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and are corrupt Because of my foolishness.”
Psalm 38:4-5 KJV
So our sin, even those tiny and seemingly harmless thoughts, need to receive our full attention. We need to pray over them, asking the Lord for the strength to defeat their temptation, and to seek forgiveness for even the most insignificant among them. Allowing our enemy to remain on the field, or temptation to haunt our thoughts, can never lead to a good end for us. So, are we ready to ferret out these tiny hints of sinful disease from our lives, our bodies, our thoughts, our hearts, and our spirituality?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for revealing to us the harm that even a tiny speck of sin poses to us. Thank you for showing us that we have power over it through prayer, and faith in you. Help us today Lord as we search ourselves for the smallest portion of temptation and sin, then hear our prayers as we ask you to help us cast it out, and for your forgiveness for having tolerated it. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who can’t tolerate sin in any form or quantity. Praised be your name for each sinful transgression you have led us to victory over. Thank you for your Son Jesus who you sent to redeem us by conquering sin and death in the world. You are merciful Father, and we pray that you pour your grace over us through Jesus, it’s Holy Vessel, and purify us in His blood. Lift us up cleansed, and free of the smallest hint of sin; made worthy in Him. Find us acceptable, and pleasing to your eye as you seat us at your table forevermore.
“For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever before me. I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin. But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty, and many are those who hate me wrongfully. Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good. Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!”
Psalm 38:17-22 ESV
Rich Forbes