Additional Points Regarding Sin

Continuing in this series of posts on sin, I want to give you a few more points to consider before you consider doing something that you’ll later regret.

Additional Points about Sin

Try to keep in mind these concluding points about the effects of sin, especially moral, ethical, and sexual sins:

• First, others suffer because of your sin – these are not victimless crimes. Who suffers the most? Often it’s the ones you love the most. Do you really want to hurt them like that? I can’t get the image of the look on Eliot Spitzer’s wife’s face when she was standing there beside him when he admitted his wrongdoing.

• Second, sin separates us from God. We foolishly chase after the things of this world, thus growing more distant from a loving God, who sent his Son to free us from the law of sin and death. Only God can give us a truly fulfilled life – worldly things can never satisfy. The more distant we become from God, the more miserable we are and the less fulfilled we become.

• Third, small sins inevitably lead to bigger sins. Just as marijuana use typically leads to harder drugs, so a little cheating on your expense report will lead to bigger cheating. So a little “harmless” flirting will lead to an affair. So pilfering some supplies from work will lead to larger thefts. So watching porn will lead to worse behavior.

• Fourth, you will get caught at some point, especially as the sin grows bigger and riskier. I don’t know why people think they can get away with it – you will be found out eventually. Of course most importantly, God knows.

To summarize, the best ways to avoid temptation especially when it comes to moral, ethical, and sexual matters is:

• Avoid any kind of temptation by avoiding situations that could put you in a position to fall into temptation.

• Don’t even commit little sins, because they are a gateway to bigger ones.

• Finally and most importantly, stay close to God through worship, prayer and obedience to God’s Word in the power of the Holy Spirit. Worship every Sunday, participate in a Bible study, be active in ministry, serve the Lord in various ways. When you’re busy serving God and being fulfilled by doing his will, you don’t have the time or the inclination to sin. Temptation will come, but if we are prepared, we can resist it.