The Anatomy Of Sin:

If we are going to avoid future regrets, we must get good at spotting sin from afar. Scriptures say the following:

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James 1:14–15 ESV

It starts with a desire:

You don’t set out to betray, cheat, become addicted to pornography, or chemical substances. You get involved, and out of friendship or kindness, a fantasy is birthed. At the end of the day, you are frustrated, fatigued, and sexual content of the least honorable kind is ready to be consumed at the palm of your hands. You fall for it. Perhaps you’re stressed, wired, and you need to relax, so alcohol and other substances seem to offer immediate bottom-shelf relief.

You are first enticed by something that presents itself as good to you. A friendship, affection, being there for someone, relief, release, wealth, financial gain. Take your pick.

Then comes the temptation:

You have the opportunity to take the next step. A touch, an embrace, an app download, one more glass, another bet, another shot, and sin presents itself. You like it, like Eve liked the forbidden fruit; it looks good to you. It is pleasant to the eye.

In that moment, if you don’t have the Spirit of God and can’t recognize the voice of God in your heart, you’ll have temporary blindness. You will not be able to see the train-wreck that is about to be unleashed. All you will see is the potential upside.

James says: sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

It takes time for certain sins to grow. Lust doesn’t show its lies right away. Alcoholism doesn’t start with one drink. An affair doesn’t begin with one text. The core issue with every regret you’ve ever had is the relationship between presentation and desire. There is a narrative you can craft in your mind that connects your desire to how the situation is presented. If instead of taking responsibility for your part in your marriage, you see yourself as someone in need of love and affection, your heart will open up to whomever is willing to nurture it. But it is wrong, and it won’t end well. If instead of dealing with your problems, and getting to the source of them, you decide to medicate yourself with alcohol, you will find temporary relief and momentary forgetfulness. But your problem will greet you in the morning, and with it a mean headache.

Sin is not a list of don’ts for the sake of God or religion. Sin hurts us. If we are wise, we will follow God’s guidance from the beginning of time:

“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, and you must rule over it.
Genesis 4:7.

I love the church, because it is a community of believers who, in love, remind and encourage each other to do well. Let us commit to doing well.

We hope to see you this Sunday.

-Pastor JD.