Scripture warns us to pay careful attention to our thoughts
and actions, and pray continually so we do not give in to the temptation to
sin. (Matthew
26:41)
A Bible study lesson opened my eyes to the fact that I wasn’t.
I was, in fact, in serious deficit.
Many of us view sin in terms of how well we are living out
the ten commandments. If we never did or no longer practice what’s known as “gross
sin” or “mortal sin” (fornication, adultery, theft, murder, idol worship,
parental abuse, etc.,) we feel confident in our good standing as Christians and
our relationship with GOD.
This was my thinking before a small group Bible study some years ago.
Our study guide titled Respectable
Sins by Christian author and speaker Jerry
Bridges (1929 – 2016) focused on destructive behaviors that Christians
indulge in routinely but lightly dismiss as “acceptable character flaws.” Mr. Bridges would prove through scripture references that these set of behaviors are not acceptable to GOD and are actually sin.
With every weekly gathering, page after page of our study guide
exposed us to our true selves in ways that weren’t at all complementary to our
Christian beliefs. As the weeks progressed, we began to appropriately identify in ourselves behaviors that were less than godly.
We saw that selfishness, fault-finding, stinginess,
overspending, resentments, irritation, religious arrogance, pride, “little
white lies,” frustration, and even anxiety, to name a few, are not character flaws; not cute or minor failings
to be shrugged off, but sinful acts for which we needed to repent.
Lesson sessions became open confessions and admissions to sin
in our lives that we had blindly accepted for too long as being “just our
nature,” or “just who we are.” We had to acknowledge that sinful behaviors in
our lives were causing us to fall very short of a godly lifestyle.
We had to face the very hard truth that, when measured by
all of the scriptures and GOD’s standards, we were a lot less “holy and
righteous and anointed” than we thought we were – which was, not at all. (James
2:10.)
Coming to terms with previously unrecognized sinfulness was painful
but we all had a common goal to change. Heartfelt and cleansing confession and
prayer became a part of every session as well as personal commitment to daily prayer
about our individual struggles
.
John Calvin said
that all sin is mortal in the sense that it deserves death.
But we are so grateful that JESUS died for all sin – those we
know of and those we do in ignorance. Our merciful and gracious Father forgives
all.
People cannot see
their own mistakes. Forgive me for my secret sins. Psalm 19:12
Conclusion
Our “character flaws” are nothing less than sin. But GOD
teaches and rescues His children by His own divine means so sin does not control us all our
lives.
Once we are aware of our sin, the Father expects us to
accept that we have the ability to change and He does not ask us to do it
alone.
Prayer, His WORD and the Holy Spirit work together to bring
lasting change – to sanctify us.
We do not have to live in sin and deceit when we put our faith and
trust in the power of the Divine and Holy One, who is our GOD and Father.
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Righteous Father and Sovereign over our lives. Thank
you for forgiving us our sinfulness and teaching us true godliness. Help us to fully
understand that to choose our own form of godliness is idolatry and disobedience
to YOUR Law – and that all sin is mortal and worthy of death. Thank you for Divine
grace through YOUR Holy Spirit that guides us and JESUS CHRIST who opened the
door for us to know the joy and glory of YOUR presence for all eternity. To YOU
belong all dominion and power for ever and ever. In the JESUS Name. Amen.
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
