November 3, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 14): Difficult Circumstances

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

Excuses are often made for sin on account of the difficult circumstances in one’s life. These excuses may be made by individuals for themselves or by others on their behalf.

  • He stole – but he was poor.
  • He has a drinking problem – but his parents were alcoholics.
  • He committed murder – but he was abused as a child.

These are just a few examples. The list is endless. Sin is regularly excused because of one’s situation. We cannot have this mindset. Sin that is excused later becomes expected and then eventually becomes accepted.
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October 27, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 13): Failure to Prioritize

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

We live our lives according to what we have determined is important to us. Our actions, relationships, budget, and hobbies are all based upon our priorities. If something is not important to us, we will not make time for it. Things that we believe are important, we will sacrifice time, money, and effort for them.

As our lives quickly fill up with both necessary and unnecessary things, it is important that we have our priorities in order. Jesus tells us the proper focus we are to have:

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Spiritual things must take precedence over everything else. Seeking His kingdom and righteousness first will not only point us in the right direction but will also help keep us from sin.
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October 20, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 12): Not Filling Our Lives With Good Things

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

Something that we all have in common is that we each have the same number of hours in a day. While we often think that we do not have as much time as others, the reality is that we have chosen to fill our lives with those things which take up our time – either as specific activities or as consequences to other choices we have made.

It is important that we fill our lives and our time with appropriate and wholesome exercises and events. Satan takes advantage when we leave room for sin by not filling our lives with good things.
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October 13, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 11): Curiosity

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

While Paul was in Athens waiting for Silas and Timothy to meet up with him, he spent his time talking with the people of the city about Jesus and the resurrection. Some of the philosophers with whom he spoke took him to the Aeropagus (Mars Hill) in order to hear more about this new teaching. Luke explains why this was done:

“Now the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new” (Acts 17:21).

We can surely relate to the people of Athens. They wanted to learn more about what Paul was teaching. When we hear of something that interests us, it piques our curiosity, and we want to learn more. What constitutes an interesting subject will vary from person to person. Regardless, we see that humans are naturally curious. There is a reason for this – God made us this way. Paul explains this in his address at the Aeropagus:
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October 8, 2014

How to Receive God’s Grace

Sunlight on the ocean

Any hope that we have to be saved is by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8). God’s grace is offered to all (Titus 2:11); however, it is not received by all. How do we receive God’s grace? James explained:

“But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:6-10).

James’ explanation is very different from what a denominational preacher would give. Yet his explanation is “inspired by God” (2 Timothy 3:16). So let us take a closer look at what James had to say on the subject of receiving God’s grace.
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October 6, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 10): Materialism

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

We live in a materialistic society. So apparent is this reality that I believe examples need not be given. As Christians we must be careful that we do not follow after the world in this regard. Paul gives us a sobering warning about having a materialistic attitude:
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September 29, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 9): Impatience

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

Our culture has long promoted the “instant gratification” mindset. We do not want to wait, we want to have our desires realized now. We have credit cards to buy things for which we have yet to earn the money to pay for them. No down payment home loans allow us to move into our own house before we save enough money for a down payment. We can cook our food with microwaves, pay for our gas at the pump, and instantly download music, books, and movies from the internet.

It is not always wrong to receive what we want instantly, but we must guard ourselves against becoming accustomed to that mindset. Expecting the things we want immediately, rather than having to patiently wait for some things, can lead to sin.
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