Over the last few months, I’ve been posting chapters from my book, The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome. The list below is an index of all of the posts in this series:
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The Root of the Problem is a 21-part series focused on the reasons why we sin so we can learn how to overcome temptation.
This material is also available in paperback. This is the second edition of this book which has been updated and expanded to include discussion questions and additional articles to supplement the material.
A list of all of the articles in this series is available here – The Root of the Problem (Index)
January 5, 2015
The Root of the Problem (Index)
December 22, 2014
The Root of the Problem (Part 21): Conclusion
To remove sin from our lives seems like a daunting, if not impossible, task. While is it true that we have all sinned (Romans 3:23), that does not mean that we must resign ourselves to a sin-filled future. Many, even those who would call themselves Christians, are content to remain in sin. This must not be our attitude. We must be of the mindset that we are uncomfortable in sin, and then work diligently to overcome it.
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December 15, 2014
The Root of the Problem (Part 20): No Fear of God
When Paul indicted all under sin, he quotes several passages from the Old Testament to describe the sinful state of man: there is none righteous, there is none who does good, their feet are swift to shed blood, etc. (Romans 3:9-17). At the end he reveals the mindset that leads to all these failings:
“There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:18).
When one does not fear God, there is no motivation to listen to God. In both the Old and New Testaments, fearing God is connected with one’s obedience.
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December 8, 2014
The Root of the Problem (Part 19): Lack of Love for God
If we are to put away sin from our lives, we would do well to remember what Jesus describes as the greatest commandment.
“And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38).
It is essential that we love God. But it must be a real love – something that goes beyond mere emotion or appreciation. Loving God should lead us to obedience.
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December 1, 2014
The Root of the Problem (Part 18): Lack of Love for Man
One obstacle to overcoming sin is the failure to develop the love that we are to have for our fellow man. Many sins we commit are against others. When we do such things, we are demonstrating a lack of love for those whom we sin against. Paul tells the saints in Rome that if we start with loving others, many sins will be avoided.
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November 24, 2014
The Root of the Problem (Part 17): Lack of Urgency
We sometimes have an odd perception of time. We often stress and worry about matters that must be dealt with in the short term. But when it comes to long term goals and preparations, we tend to take a casual approach to these matters. This is somewhat understandable. The short term matters require immediate attention, so we deal with them. But our long term goals and preparations must be dealt with as well. We cannot continue to put them off for more immediate matters or else we will eventually find that we are too late and have failed to meet those long term goals.
Sadly, this is the attitude many people take toward sin. They know they need to correct sin. They know they need to repent. They know that they must strive for perfection (Matthew 5:48). But they hold on to sin anyway. After all, there is plenty of time for correction later, right? Can we not enjoy sin for a little while now, and give it up at some point in the future?
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November 17, 2014
The Root of the Problem (Part 16): Lack of Self-Control
It is easy to look at our society today and conclude that self-control is an old-fashioned virtue. If we desire something, we should go get it. If something feels good, do it. This is the message that our culture is preaching to us. But regardless of the prevailing mindset of society, the Scriptures teach us that we must exercise self-control.
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