Sin

Save Me from Myself (John 3:16-18)

“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:16-18)

Because we are all sinners and fall short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23), we are condemned to eternal punishment and separation from God from the start. While this sounds like a really unfair and cruel way for God to position us within this world, the fact of the matter is that our own sin and the sin of humankind got us here… but He has given us a way out. (more…)

Some Things to Avoid (Proverbs 6:16-19)

“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pour out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” (Prov. 6:16-19)

I don’t have much to add to this, other than it’s good to know what God detests so we can make sure to avoid doing or being those things! (more…)

Temptation & Sin (Proverbs 5:21-23)

“For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all his paths. The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.” (Prov. 5:21-23)

Proverbs 5 is a warning against adultery, and really against sexual immorality in general. (more…)

Guard Your Heart (Proverbs 4:23-27)

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” (Prov. 4:23-27)

This is great instruction, and as Proverbs 4:13 says, “Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” But I’ll be honest, a lot of this is really hard to do. Actually, it’s impossible to consistently follow this and the other instruction given throughout Proverbs (let alone in the rest of the Bible), on our own. (more…)

Keeping Watch (Psalm 141:3-4)

“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.” (Psa. 141:3-4)

Passages like James 3 and Proverbs 18 remind us that both life and death are in the power of the tongue, and in Proverbs 4:23 we’re commanded to “above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” No wonder these two parts of our being are called out specifically in this passage, as they can both lead us to paths of destruction or paths of righteousness! (more…)