Foolish Things

I originally listened to the sermon that I told you to listen to about four months ago at a time when I was really struggling with sin and despairing over my fight against it. I was growing weary of the battle and ready to just give up. There were days when I would find myself in deep despair, condemning myself over my inability to just stop sinning; knowing all the while that this is really an impossibility. Thanks to Phil and his sermon, I remembered that the fight is not mine alone, neither is it ever really lost unless I just give up and give in to my sins.

A couple of points on the sermon itself that I found interesting/uplifting/informative:

• The whole “controversy” surrounding whether this is Paul’s view as a Christian or prior to his conversion I never knew that there was another way to interpret this passage. I always just assumed that it was Paul’s post-conversion experience. This certainly fits with my experience as a Christian; not that I am anywhere near Paul’s league (he’s Major League and I’m not even tee-ball yet).

• The “reasons” why Christians struggle with sin Very concise and easy to remember and so darned obvious:

  1. Our desires are conflicted
  2. Our will is dysfunctional
  3. Our flesh is corrupted

What’s a fella to do?

So, how do we overcome sin? There is no magic formula, but there are a few things that we should think on that will help:

• “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” [Philippians 4:8, ESV] Meditate on His Word rather than filling your mind with things that are not worthy of attention.

• “²⁹ If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.” [Matthew 5:29-30, ESV] Don’t put yourself into situations where you know that your are tempted to sin.

• Believe what God says; that includes both the promises of correction that He will give as well as the rewards.

• Acknowledge that God is your ultimate authority and that His will is supreme. You are not your own authority, neither is there any human authority higher than God.

• You can’t not sin.

• Don’t give up and give in.

The REAL Problem with Sin

Sin builds barriers. When we willfully continue in our sins, when we give up and give in, when we refuse to accept God’s authority in our lives barriers arise between us and God and between us and our loved ones. We withdraw into ourselves and descend into despair.

It is unfortunate that so few talk about sin today. We talk a lot about making “mistakes” or being victims of our upbringing or our society, but not nearly enough about our culpability in what we do. Sin separates. It separates us from others. It separates us from ourselves. And ultimately it separates us from God. You will find me talking a lot about sin and other topics that are related, such as authority. Why? Because it’s of eternal importance.