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Let's be honest. We all confront times of weakness,
when we think about committing sin.
So it's good to study God's word and be prepared for
the times of weakness, when we think about committing
sinning.
What's the Lust?
When we contemplate committing sin, we should realize
that lust is involved.
Lust is a strong desire to do something sinful, and
always precedes premeditated sin.
- "But each one is tempted when he is carried
away and enticed by his own lust. Then when
lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and
when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death" (Jas.
1:14-15).
For example, I remember as a preschool boy my mother
instructed me not to take a piece of candy. After
she left the room, I considered the pros and cons of
disobeying, and took a piece of candy.
Of course, the sinful desire was to steal candy and
satisfy my fleshly desire.
Whenever we contemplate sinning, we should drill down
into our psyche to understand the sinful desire, which
may help us get a grip on ourselves and overcome sin
by understanding the allurement.
Contemplate the Eternal Consequence
When we contemplate committing sin, we should contemplate
the eternal consequence.
- "For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving
the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains
a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation
of judgment and the fury of a fire which will
consume the adversaries" (Heb. 10:26-27).
- "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands
of the living God" (Heb. 10:31).
How would you feel if you decided to sin, and died
before you could repent and correct your life with God?
How would you feel in hell, thinking about the day
you decided to sin and enjoy the passing pleasures of
sin?
Surely all of us would mourn and weep for eternity,
knowing we gave up heaven to satisfy lust.
When you contemplate committing a sin, ask yourself,
"Is a little sinful pleasure worth eternity in hell?"
Contemplate Jesus on the Cross
When we contemplate committing sin, we should think
about Jesus on the cross, and the price He paid for
our salvation.
- "For you have been called for this purpose, since
Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example
for you to follow in His steps . . . and He Himself
bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we
might die to sin and live to righteousness; for
by His wounds you were healed" (1 Pet. 2:21, 24).
As Christians, we understand the incredible price
Jesus paid to save us from sin.
As a result, we're moved to turn away from sin because
we love Jesus.
- "We love, because He first loved us" (1
Jn. 4:19).
- "'If you love Me, you will keep My commandments'"
(Jn. 14:15).
- "For this is the love of God, that we keep His
commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome"
(1 Jn. 5:3).
When we contemplate committing sin, we can change
our thoughts to the cross, which will provoke a chance
in heart if we truly love Jesus, the One who suffered
and died to save us.
Contemplate How Much Your Sin Will Hurt God
When we contemplate committing sin, we should think
about how much our sin will hurt God.
- "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by
whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Eph.
4:30).
- "For in the case of those who have once been enlightened
and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been
made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted
the good word of God and the powers of the age to
come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible
to renew them again to repentance, since they again
crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to
open shame" (Heb. 6:4-6).
As people who love God, we'll do anything to avoid
hurting Him. So knowing that we'll hurt God if we sin,
we'll do anything to avoid sinning.
Contemplate Your Ability To Overcome Sin
When we contemplate committing sin, we should think
about the fact that we can overcome it.
- "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is
common to man; and God is faithful, who will not
allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,
but with the temptation will provide the way of
escape also, so that you will be able to endure
it" (1 Cor. 10:13).
By the grace of God, we are stronger than Satan and
the allurement of sin.
It's not a matter of whether we can overcome
sin, but a matter of whether we'll decide to
overcome sin.
- As God's children, we are "strengthened with
all power, according to His glorious might, for
the attaining of all steadfastness and patience"
(Col. 1:11).
God gives us the strength to overcome sin, every time.
It's all about our decision to turn away from sin, not
about our strength.
Whenever we contemplate committing a sin, we should
also contemplate the fact that we're strong enough to
overcome it, and glorify God by our actions rather than
shame Him.
Conclusion
When you think about committing a sin:
- Drill down into your psyche to understand your sinful
desire, which may help you get a grip on yourself
and overcome sin by understanding the allure.
- Think about Jesus on the cross, and the price He
paid for your salvation.
- Think about how much your sin will hurt God.
- Think about the fact that you can overcome sin
by the power of God, and glorify Him, if you only
make the right decision.
Then ask yourself:
- "Is a little sinful pleasure worth eternity in
hell?"
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