Jim
2006-09-25 04:22:09 UTC
Sin and Christian Living: Be on your guard against sin.
There is nothing innocent about sin. But often it seems to begin with
innocent things.
For example, we may like to joke around with our friends, and that seems
like perfectly normal behavior. But the apostle Paul warns us in the New
Testament to be careful of the kinds of things we say. "But shun profane
and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness." (2 Timothy
2:16)
The key word here is "profane." And as sincere Christians we need to watch
out for profane talk (which may seem harmless) because it leads to profane
thinking, which leads to ungodly choices and behavior. What we allow
ourselves to joke about influences what we think about -- what we allow into
our hearts and minds. And what we dwell on in our thoughts affects what we
want, and choose, to do in daily life.
And along with idle talk among our friends that turns in the wrong
direction, we should also be careful of what we watch on TV and in movies,
what we read in books and magazines, the kinds of games we play, and the
kinds of jokes we listen to.
Here's the problem: Sin is never passive. It leads to more sin, prompting
us to self delusions and even outward deception. It will also lead us to
try and justify our wrong behavior. Sin is all about doing what pleases
self at the expense of others.
Even actual sin itself may seem harmless, since many sins do not involve
anyone else. But the time we spend with sin is time and imagination and
creativity lost to us forever. Had we spent that time and effort doing good
instead of evil, we may have accomplished real good for someone else. We
may have even changed the world we live in. But we will never know how God
might have used us if we make room for sin instead of right thinking and
acting.
Learn to discern (recognize) what is off color, less than worthy, or even
evil, and why it is wrong. Discipline your mind by God's Word, training
yourself to think according to God's truth and righteousness. Allow the
light of God to shine on all your thoughts and motives.
None of us are ever perfectly pure in our motives or thinking. Not
naturally, anyway. But God will help us if we are willing to spend time in
His Presence, reading the Scriptures, praying in the Spirit, and listening
to His good Spirit.
The Lord Jesus is our way out of the trouble sin brings. Jesus is the life
and power we need for godly living. And He alone is the light we need in a
world oversaturated with darkness, deception and confusion. By hanging
close with Jesus, we can learn God's way of victory.
Jim
----------------------------------------------------
See an animated graphic of sin's activity here:
http://gospelgifs.pazzoom.com/gallery/face1.htm
More Christian graphics and clipart:
www.gospelgifs.com
See Webster's definition of profane here:
www.m-w.com/dictionary/profane
Download a free desktop Bible for your computer here:
http://www.onlinebible.net/index.html
Read the Bible free online here:
http://bible.crosswalk.com/
Encouragement for growing Christians:
www.goodwordusa.org
Free download of printable 2007 calendar:
http://www.jimsgraphix.com/lowcal.htm
Make a difference -- Start a local newspaper:
www.newspaper-info.com
There is nothing innocent about sin. But often it seems to begin with
innocent things.
For example, we may like to joke around with our friends, and that seems
like perfectly normal behavior. But the apostle Paul warns us in the New
Testament to be careful of the kinds of things we say. "But shun profane
and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness." (2 Timothy
2:16)
The key word here is "profane." And as sincere Christians we need to watch
out for profane talk (which may seem harmless) because it leads to profane
thinking, which leads to ungodly choices and behavior. What we allow
ourselves to joke about influences what we think about -- what we allow into
our hearts and minds. And what we dwell on in our thoughts affects what we
want, and choose, to do in daily life.
And along with idle talk among our friends that turns in the wrong
direction, we should also be careful of what we watch on TV and in movies,
what we read in books and magazines, the kinds of games we play, and the
kinds of jokes we listen to.
Here's the problem: Sin is never passive. It leads to more sin, prompting
us to self delusions and even outward deception. It will also lead us to
try and justify our wrong behavior. Sin is all about doing what pleases
self at the expense of others.
Even actual sin itself may seem harmless, since many sins do not involve
anyone else. But the time we spend with sin is time and imagination and
creativity lost to us forever. Had we spent that time and effort doing good
instead of evil, we may have accomplished real good for someone else. We
may have even changed the world we live in. But we will never know how God
might have used us if we make room for sin instead of right thinking and
acting.
Learn to discern (recognize) what is off color, less than worthy, or even
evil, and why it is wrong. Discipline your mind by God's Word, training
yourself to think according to God's truth and righteousness. Allow the
light of God to shine on all your thoughts and motives.
None of us are ever perfectly pure in our motives or thinking. Not
naturally, anyway. But God will help us if we are willing to spend time in
His Presence, reading the Scriptures, praying in the Spirit, and listening
to His good Spirit.
The Lord Jesus is our way out of the trouble sin brings. Jesus is the life
and power we need for godly living. And He alone is the light we need in a
world oversaturated with darkness, deception and confusion. By hanging
close with Jesus, we can learn God's way of victory.
Jim
----------------------------------------------------
See an animated graphic of sin's activity here:
http://gospelgifs.pazzoom.com/gallery/face1.htm
More Christian graphics and clipart:
www.gospelgifs.com
See Webster's definition of profane here:
www.m-w.com/dictionary/profane
Download a free desktop Bible for your computer here:
http://www.onlinebible.net/index.html
Read the Bible free online here:
http://bible.crosswalk.com/
Encouragement for growing Christians:
www.goodwordusa.org
Free download of printable 2007 calendar:
http://www.jimsgraphix.com/lowcal.htm
Make a difference -- Start a local newspaper:
www.newspaper-info.com