Infatuation with Sin
If we will be honest, many of us are still infatuated with sin. What we actually despise is not the sin itself, but the guilt and negative consequences that come to us because of sin. Instead of turning from our sinful desires, we tend to hold onto a longing for the satisfaction of sin in our hearts while trying only not to let it manifest on the outside as sinful actions. Often therein lies the failure. Because it’s difficult for us to cling to sinful desire in our hearts and they not make their way to the surface. The Bible says in Proverbs 4:23, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Some of us have become very crafty at suppressing the outward actions for a time, but we have to understand that there is an inner change that needs to take place in the way that we regard sin.
Last week, we discussed via Twitter that guilt and repentance are not the same—that one is merely a feeling while the other produces the fruit of change. In the same way, despising sin and despising sin’s consequences are two differing attitudes. They may look the same for a time, but if you pay close attention, you may often notice a difference in the patterns and lifestyle of one who despises sin versus one who only despises the suffering that sin causes. We cannot mistakenly believe that we avoid sin because of love and commitment to God when all we are doing is looking to escape sin’s repercussions. It is virtually impossible to maintain this façade long-term, as those who have tried can likely testify. Some of the results of trying to mask sin’s position in your heart often end up being:
cycle of falling into the same sin, just with lengthy breaks in between,
justification & rationalizing of indulging in the sin,
total hopelessness that the power of Christ can deliver you,
questioning & doubt as to whether sin has truly been overcome by Jesus Christ in general.
Holding onto that affection for sin, it’s only a matter of time before you become increasingly more willing to accept what follows, just to get a taste of that evil that you so desperately long for, even down to denying the very power of Christ. Even the unsaved desire to avoid the negative consequences of their actions, but at times, the risk is considered worth the reward—both by those in the world and by those in the church alike. We have to understand the need to truly mature to the point where we despise sin in the same way that the Lord does. The Bible says in Proverbs 28:13, “Whoever conceals his sins will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Rather than maintaining our infatuation for the things that God hates, let’s be challenged and encouraged to denounce the sin and darkness in our hearts and allow the Lord to cleanse and transform us in a way that pleases Him. Be Blessed.
