A Trip Through Proverbs – #4 – Sin is Enticing

OK ,everyone admit it; sin is enticing.  Sin is often a quick way to prosperity or to make us feel like “one of the crowd.”    It’s easy to fall into that trap over and over again, even though you know it’s not the right thing to do….you just can’t stop.  The sin soon becomes your master, it controls you completely even as you know you are sinning and try to escape.

The law is good, then.  The trouble is not with the law but with me, because I am sold into slavery, with sin as my master.  I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it.  Instead, I do the very thing I hate.  I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience shows that I agree that the law is good.  But I can’t help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things.   – Romans 7:14-17

Paul had the same struggles that we face every day.   Paul, used by God to spread the good news to the world, struggled with sin daily just like you and I.  Sin, no matter how attractive, is deadly.

Don’t go along with them, my child!  Stay far away from their paths.  They rush to commit crimes.  They hurry to commit murder.   When a bird sees a trap being set, it stays away.  But not these people!  They set an ambush for themselves; they booby-trap their own lives!  Such is the fate of all who are greedy for gain.  It ends up robbing them of life.  – Proverbs 1:15-19

We don’t want to end up like that, but we will when we let sin entice us.  We must learn to make choices, not on the basis of appeal or short-term pleasure, but in view of the long-range consequences.   We may have to steer clear of people who entice us into committing sin.  We may have to give up the “guilty pleasures” that by their very name, convey that sin is involved.  Don’t surround ourselves with the temptations….remove ourselves from those situations.  We can’t be friendly with sin and expect our lives to remain unaffected.

Great news though….through Jesus Christ, there is no condemnation.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.  -Romans 8:1,2

Without Jesus we would have no hope at all.  But thank God,  He has declared us not guilty and has offered us freedom from sin.  God gives us the power to do his will and be free from sin.

Today I pray that I can begin my week with a new joy and freedom.  Jesus is bearing the burden that I once carried.

Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.  -Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus frees me from my burdens of sin, my burdens of stress and worry and has replaced them with love, healing and peace with God.   Amen!!   What a great promise to reflect on each morning.