Reflect

Have you ever wanted something but new you shouldn’t have it?



Consider a simple chocolate cake mix. On its own it is harmless.


What if you have made a decision to stay away from sweets?                       

You go to the store and there is the chocolate cake mix sitting on the shelf. You see it and ignore it until you realize that it is on sale! When you look into your purse you see that you have a coupon. You begin to think about the friends that are coming over and so you decide to buy it. It’s such a great price after all! When you go home you put it away in the pantry and are satisfied that you haven’t eaten any sweets! Later you begin wondering if you should make it and let you husband try out the recipe. After convincing yourself that this is a good idea you make the cake and serve it to your husband. He tells you that it was delicious and that you have outdone yourself! You are delighted that this worked out so well! Later that night you begin to glance towards the cake as it beckons to you from the cake platter. “It would taste wonderful with your coffee” you think and finally all of these steps result in you eating a large quantity of this cake.

Sin doesn’t just happen! It usually is a result of steps that we take then eventually lead to us sinning.

Eve didn’t wake up and say, Gee I want to be separated from God let’s eat this fruit! It all started with a step towards sin.


Think about these steps and see if you agree with the progression of events.


Step 1: Being confronted with tempting thoughts.


Step 2: Step 2: Entertaining and discussing the thoughts..


Step 3: Doubting the consequences of God’s Word


Step 4: Thinking that one will gain more and be fulfilled…


Step 5: Looking and desiring—lusting


Step 6: Committing the Sin: Taking and eating the forbidden fruit.


Be encouraged! We have not been left to wallow in our sin! God does not condemn us to repeat these over and over again! There can be victory. These verses really encourage me to keep pressing on!


Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6


But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it. Genesis 4:7


We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5


Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. Ephesians 6:11


If we confess our sins He is faithful and Just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9

Father, Thank you for the cross!  Thank you for your deep love and forgiveness.  I trust you to lead me away from the sins that so easily entangle me.  I acknowledge that I am frail and a sinner and that on my own strength I can not walk away from sin. I ask you to free me from repeating these steps and ask you to protect me from stepping in the wrong direction. Help me to flee from the areas that I am the most weak in!  Amen