Dealing With What Is Hard
“But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” - James 1:14-15
How many times have you been convicted of a sin you are committing? We know sin leads to death. We have heard it from pastors. We have read it in the Bible. Maybe you even have friends or family who have tried to warn you to stop. And perhaps you have tried.
Your response might be, "if it was that easy, I would have stopped by now.” But it isn’t easy. That sin has a stronghold on you. It provides you with the immediate satisfaction you desire, which makes it hard to walk away. To give it up feels too difficult.
Quitting drinking is hard. Saying “no” to those fried foods is hard. Walking away from fornication or deleting your dealer’s contact is hard. Working a job for legitimate money instead of engaging in get-rich-quick schemes is hard. Telling the truth may be hard. But have you thought about the other side? Have you thought about what those sins are costing you and the peace you are forfeiting?
Satan wants you to continue in your sin because he knows the damage and spiritual death it causes. But to give it up, to let it go, though it might be hard, will free you from spiritual and physical bondage. There is nothing too hard for God. Relationships can be restored. Finances can be prosperous. Dreams can be remembered. God has so much more for you on the other side of that sin.
Yes, it will be hard. But the alternative is hard also. You can choose your way, which leads to spiritual death, or you can choose God’s way, which leads to spiritual life. Only God’s path is worth the fight.
How many times have you been convicted of a sin you are committing? We know sin leads to death. We have heard it from pastors. We have read it in the Bible. Maybe you even have friends or family who have tried to warn you to stop. And perhaps you have tried.
Your response might be, "if it was that easy, I would have stopped by now.” But it isn’t easy. That sin has a stronghold on you. It provides you with the immediate satisfaction you desire, which makes it hard to walk away. To give it up feels too difficult.
Quitting drinking is hard. Saying “no” to those fried foods is hard. Walking away from fornication or deleting your dealer’s contact is hard. Working a job for legitimate money instead of engaging in get-rich-quick schemes is hard. Telling the truth may be hard. But have you thought about the other side? Have you thought about what those sins are costing you and the peace you are forfeiting?
Satan wants you to continue in your sin because he knows the damage and spiritual death it causes. But to give it up, to let it go, though it might be hard, will free you from spiritual and physical bondage. There is nothing too hard for God. Relationships can be restored. Finances can be prosperous. Dreams can be remembered. God has so much more for you on the other side of that sin.
Yes, it will be hard. But the alternative is hard also. You can choose your way, which leads to spiritual death, or you can choose God’s way, which leads to spiritual life. Only God’s path is worth the fight.
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