Tag Archives: sin

All of It

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Numbers 30-31

War is horrible. The killing, looting, and destruction reveals the worst in man. But what do you do when it’s God ordering you to go to war? How about when He orders you to kill all men, women, and children? You probably do what the Israelite soldiers did, and show compassion, and take the women and children captive instead of actually killing them.

Bring them home. Give them work to do and a place to live. That’s the compassionate thing to do.

We learn, however, that there was a very good reason God insisted the women die. They were the ones who had embraced idolatry and lured the Jews into their sin. They were more God’s enemies than the men! And here the Israelite soldiers are inviting them into their own homes.

This side of the cross our battles are not with flesh and blood. Thankfully we are NOT called to take the lives of people who have different beliefs or who have hurt us in some way.

Our enemies are spiritual, but they are no less threatening. God commands us to go to war… and kill them all.

Yet sometimes we think, “I’ll eliminate greed. I’ll destroy adultery. I’ll put to death impure thoughts. But…”

We tell ourselves God didn’t really mean put pride to death. I’m supposed to look out for number one! Surely God didn’t mean to eliminate resentment. That man hurt me. He doesn’t deserve to be forgiven.

One little lie. One unkind word. Just a little gossip. That hint of jealousy. I’ll make room for them in my heart. They are just “children.”

But the Israelites had to kill the children, too. Why? Because children grow up, get stronger, have more influence. And so do baby sins.

Yes, it’s hard to read these chapters. We are compassionate people. But don’t let your compassion prevent you from hearing God tell you to go to war against sin in your life.

All of it.

Them is Me

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Numbers 16

The people just saw the men who challenged Moses’ God-given authority, along with their families and possessions, being swallowed up by the earth. The ground split, they fell in, the land closed up.

But then, and this has me shaking my head, they went back to Moses and complained THE NEXT DAY. About 1,500 more people had to die before the Israelites got the message: You don’t mess with God.

I could lament over the same thick-headedness of people in 2024. The blatant rejection of God, of Truth, begs for the same judgment we read about in Numbers.

But I can’t make this about “them.” If I’m honest, there I times my own heart is stubborn, my “self” rears its ugly head, I question and complain against God. And there are times I find myself thinking I should be able to do and/or believe what I want and expect God to just accept it. It begs for the same judgment we read about in Numbers.

Oh, I’m not out there picketing against God’s Law, or filming a Tik-Tok video about how unfair God is. My rebellion is much more subtle than that. It’s rooted in my heart. It shows up in my attitude, my unrest, my refusal to forgive. It ignores the parts of Scripture that require me to submit, to repent, and to stand firm.

I’m so thankful for God’s patience and long-suffering grace and mercy. But I best pay attention. God is not fooled. Eventually the guilty will be punished. And it’s not just about “them.” Them is me.

Silence is a Sin

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Leviticus 5-7

If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about he will be held responsible. (5:1)

Why do we send missionaries? Because we are responsible to tell what we know. Why do we stand up for life, deny the current belief that gender can be changed, say no to drag queens in public schools, call truth Truth? Because if we don’t, we sin.

And sin is serious. All sin is serious.

It’s easy to say, “Those sinners out there are gonna pay,” until I look in the mirror and see a believer with her mouth closed.

Know Your Enemy

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Genesis 36; 1 Chronicles 1:35-2:2

Reading these chapters can be tedious. Names hard to pronounce. People long gone with seemingly no relevance today. But if all Scripture is inspired by God, these chapters must be here for a reason. What does God reveal about Himself? What does He want us to learn?

First of all, I see a God who knows us by name. He knows the details of our lives like the guy who discovered hot springs, or the guy who had a sister.

Second, by listing these historical names we are reminded that Scripture is not a fairy tale. These are real people who lived real lives one real day at a time. They had hopes and dreams, and good days and bad. Some had happy homes and some had heartache. Some were rulers and some worked in the fields. The Bible is about people and their relationship with God. The Bible is true.

But here’s what struck me today. I can understand why God documented the genealogy of Israel. It was one way of proving the fulfillment of His promise to Abraham that the Savior would be his offspring. But why give equal time to Edom, the enemy of God’s children? Why should we care which evil person fathered which evil person?

Could it be God’s way of telling us we need to identify our own enemies? Someone has said, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” Is that the message here?

I doubt it because God inspired Paul to tell us to run from temptation. But you’ve got to know that what tempts you is from the enemy. You’ve got to be able to recognize the enemy so you know what it is you are to be fleeing.

Thank you, God, for this reminder today. I don’t want to blow off any of my enemies. I want to look them in the eye and say, “Get behind me, Satan. Get behind me jealousy, anger, impure thoughts, selfishness. I see you. I recognize you. And I reject you in the Name of my Savior, Jesus Christ.”

I would challenge you to read God’s Word, not for the enjoyment or for the ease of it. Read it and ask God to reveal Himself, His truth, His will for your life. It’s in there on every page.

Just Like Me

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Genesis 32-35

The Bible doesn’t portray God’s people as saints. In fact, God is very honest to paint a picture of flawed, deceitful, prideful sinners. From Adam to Israel we see rebellious, foolish, and violent people who squander their relationship with God.

Why didn’t God cover up their disobedience when He inspired men to write out His history with His people? Why didn’t He rationalize their sin, give excuses for their sin? Why didn’t He make it look like people with a relationship with Him do no wrong, and always have everything they need and want? You don’t try to sell a used car by pointing out the bald tires and faulty transmission.

God didn’t sugar-coat what happened because God’s people are no different today than they were then. We are no less accountable for our choices than they were. And God is as patient and willing to forgive today as He was in the pages we read in His Word.

God lays it all out there so we can relate, we can recognize our own bent to sin, and we can trust Him to do what He’s always done – forgive repentant sinners just like Jacob…

and just like me.

Restrained

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Genesis 18-20

God kept Abimelech from sinning. He’d planned to have sex with Sarah, Abraham’s wife because he thought Abraham and Sarah were brother and sister. Somehow God stepped in and thwarted Abimelech’s plan so that he would not commit adultery.

We don’t know what that looked like, but Scripture tells us God intervened on behalf of Abimelech (and Sarah).

I wonder how many times God has intervened on my behalf without me even being aware. How many temptations has he swatted out of my way, how many doors has he closed, and prayers He’s not answered so that I would not sin?

I was a child long before car seats and seatbelts were required in cars. We kids sat (or stood) on the front bench seat and our safety restraint was Mom’s right arm thrust between us and the windshield when she saw danger ahead. I have that picture in mind when I think about God’s protection of Abimelech; God’s right arm thrust between Abimelech and sin.

I thank God for intervening on my behalf, too. Not that I’m sinless because sometimes I barge right through the barriers God puts in place. But today I want my walk with God to be close enough that I will recognize when He’s got HIs arm out, and allow Him to restrain me. I thank Him for wanting to.

You Are Not The Exception

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Luke 12-14

Is Jesus the only way? Really? People want to believe that, if there aren’t multiple ways to God, a least they themselves will be the exception. In theory, Jesus is the Way, but God is too loving to send a good person like me to hell. Right?

That’s not what Jesus says. Jesus says the way is narrow, the invitation to the banquet comes with restrictions, the landowner demands obedience, even those rich according to their own standards will be held accountable to God’s standards.

The truth is, it doesn’t matter what you think. You aren’t God. It only matters what God says about His design.

Like it or not. Believe it or not. Jesus is the only way…

And you are not the exception.

Squandering A Blessing

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John 6

Jesus was focused on His mission. But the Jewish people didn’t want a spiritual Savior, they wanted a human king, someone like them who would overthrow Roman rule. Jesus knew they were eager to make Him into that king. But becoming that king would have been disobedience, and Jesus wasn’t having anything to do with that. He was not about to compromise the mission.

So Jesus did something that spoke to me today. He removed Himself from their presence, and went instead into the Presence of the Father. Jesus went up the mountain alone to find a secluded spot where He could pray in private.

We Christians are being coerced into compromise these days. Giving in is the easy thing to do. But it’s sin. We go ahead and call people by their preferred pronouns, pretending along with sinners that a person can change his or her God-given gender. We embrace sin, tolerate false teaching, blend in so as not to offend way too often. We’ve even changed the way we worship so it’s appealing to non-believers, instead of what is required of the One we are supposed to be worshiping. Compromise has become the norm, and it’s becoming a requirement for Christians.

I’m wondering if we shouldn’t learn from Jesus’ example. Have we neglected the blessing of prayer, the incredible privilege of shutting ourselves off from the world for a moment to spend some intimate time with the Creator God who loves us? Even Jesus knew the importance of intentional communion with the Father. Shouldn’t it be obvious that we need it even more?

I think the evidence that we are squandering this blessing of prayer is plainly seen. If we were praying for God to reveal sin in us, He would. If we asked Him to cleanse our hearts, He would. If we asked Him for strength to stand up to the temptation to compromise, He’d gladly give us the strength. We have not because we ask not.

And we compromise because we don’t have the strength to stand. Look around. Are we happy with where our compromises have taken us?

We have the privilege of prayer. It might take some effort to climb a mountain to get alone with God. We might have to step away from technology for a few minutes, remove ourselves from the hustle and bustle of life, from our families and friends. It might be a bit inconvenient. But anything worth having is worth working for.

And I think tapping into the gift of prayer is worth it. How sad when we squander this precious privilege of prayer.

Truly Free

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Malachi

There is so much in this wonderful book. But if we take only one thing away from it, we’ve got to understand God will be honored, respected, obeyed, and worshiped alone. He’s not fooled by good works or fancy words. He recognizes the pure and the contaminated. He will not accept anything less than what He demands – no exceptions.

That fact should cause us to fear Him. It’s His way or hell.

But He is not a tyrant. He’s not a slave-driver. He is love. He is just. He is a friend and a father. What we seem to have trouble grasping is that His way is what is best for us. It’s better than anything we can come up with on our own. Your best plans, your most favorite dreams, are nothing compared to what God offers.

It’s like a prisoner chained to a wall saying, “I don’t want freedom on God’s terms. I’d have to give up my chains. I’d have to move out of my cozy cell. I’d rather paint a picture of the sky on my wall than step out and see it for myself. I’d rather hug a mannequin than be embraced by God.”

You’d think that prisoner has lost his mind. Especially since you’ve seen the sky and know how beautiful it is.

Well, my friend. I have seen the sky. I have been embraced by God through the blood of His Son, Jesus. I am free from the chains of sin because I have repented of those sins, and I am forgiven. Why wouldn’t I want that for you, too?

For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will lead them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. (Malachi 4:1-2)

That’s what God, through the prophet Malachi, wants us to take away from his book. There are only two sides to this coin called life. Choose wisely. There is only one way to be truly free.

HIs name is Jesus.

Shattered Power

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Daniel 9-12

Every time I read this portion of Scripture a great sadness comes over me. There are a lot of things about this prophecy and it’s parallel in John’s Revelation I don’t understand. But I do understand that the rise of evil will reach an unprecedented level before Jesus returns.

There will come a time when “the shattering of the power of the holy people” happens, and “life on earth will end.” (12:7)

That makes me sad. The power of the Church will not be be overcome by force from the evil one. That’s not going to happen because greater is He in us than he that is in the world. But He, not the world, has to be IN US.

The only way for evil to win is for Christians to surrender to evil. The power of the Holy Spirit in us will shatter when we compromise, ignore what God says in His Word, when we replace Him with the lies, worship ourselves, our ideals, love, tolerance, inclusion, and redefine sin. It will be we Christians who render the Holy Spirit powerless to save by choosing to be vessels He can’t use.

And then the end will come.