Selling the Sin

Sin is constantly knocking at my door. It never seems to stop.

The problem is that I befriended Sin for most of my life, and it was my constant companion. Well, in reality, I was Sin's slave. That is until the Holy Spirit arrived and equipped me to deal with Sin, through HIS power and not my own.

But Sin does not give up. It wants me back. It still shows up on my doorstep, and knocks.

Sin is like a master sales person who knows all your secret likes, wishes, fears, and dreams. Sin has a very pleasant voice, even kind of soothing. And Sin can be sexy! It's attractive, has a friendly, familiar smile, and knows how to be oh so enchanting.

Sin is not deterred in the least by hearing a "no" or "go away" from me, because Sin -- like any good sales person -- knows that it may have to get through many, many "no's" before it finally gets a "yes".  Getting to "yes" is all that matters.  Sin constantly beckons: "Hey Paul, check this out. Think about this. Click that link. Just give me a minute and you'll see what I mean. It will just be a second, in fact. Remember this?"

But once you let Sin enter, it's VERY difficult to get it to leave. It charms you, entices you, as only it knows how! "Oh, come on," it might say, "we both know that a little of this will not be a problem for you. It's fun. It's just fantasy. You deserve it. You can always shut it down when you want to. After all, you're stronger
now than you've ever been."

Oh yeah: Sin is a convincing liar, too.

The only action you should take is to ask the Holy Spirit to remove the Sin that is assaulting you. Jesus died for us (the only perfect sacrifice possible) so that we would not be controlled by Sin.  But we can't battle it ourselves. Sin is too powerful for us (all though it lies all that the time about that, too, and makes you believe you actually control it). The Holy Spirit -- God Himself -- is the only One who can send Sin on its way.

Finally, remember that Sin is also a master of disguise. You often don't realize you are entertaining Sin. Sometimes it's just a thought. A fantasy. A longing. A regret. A fear ... it's never obviously Sin.

But the Holy Spirit shines a spotlight on Sin, and the more we are filled with the Word and the Holy Spirit, the more we see Sin for what it really is:  A killer and a destroyer.

Train yourself in the Spirit -- through prayer and studying God's Word -- so that you will NEVER be tempted beyond your means to open the door to Sin, or even entertain the idea of opening it.   And even if you do open the door, whether by mistake or in a moment of weakness or curiosity, close it right away, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Do not let sin get a second and third step into your life, no matter how innocuous and harmless it seems.

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. - Mt 26:41

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

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. - Eph 6:10-11