Sin is not merely a deed. It is a darkness of the soul. It is a lawlessness that found refuge in the human heart. It is the venom of the Serpent flowing through humanity, pulsating rebellion against God and all that He is. No one escaped this venom. From the first child of Adam who murdered his own brother, to the most “innocent” of persons in our day, “all have sinned,” Jesus Christ being the only exception to that absolute truth.
Jesus described sin as the slave master that causes people to commit the acts of sin. This evil presence is what defiles a person before God. Carnal religion seeks to control and restrain it. Jesus Christ takes it away!
What gives sin such power? It is the seed of rebellion that Adam and Eve received into their heart from the Serpent. It is as a single cell of cancer that never stops spreading. There is no cure until the whole is taken away. The power of sin is in its presence. Only where sin has no presence does it have no power.
Consider these two examples: One man has wrestled with lust for years. He has prayed, fasted, and taken every step possible to keep it subdued. So far, this man has kept himself from fulfilling the unclean desires that are within. He has never committed an act of adultery or fornication and does not partake of pornography. This man has power over the unclean lusts that are within him, but it is a constant battle that never ceases. In the best of times, the uncleanness seems to be dormant, but it is always ready to revive and roar.
Another man does not struggle with such things. He faces the same tests of living in this world with all the opportunities for sinful acts that are common to men. He also does not commit adultery, fornication or partake of pornography. In fact, he never even contemplates such things. It is just not in his heart to desire or to do anything of that nature.
I cannot help but have respect for the first man. He lives every day in a battle with lusts, but keeps himself from fulfilling the act of the sinful thing. His determination and fortitude are to be admired. Yet with all the power he exercises over the sin, he is not free from it. If at any time he lets down his guard, he will fall into its darkness and shame.
You cannot rightfully claim that the second man has power over unclean lusts. In fact, no one knows what course he would take if these things were actually in his heart. Would he be weak? Or would he be strong? He might fail on the first encounter. But this second man does not need strength to overcome sin because it not in his heart. The truth is that no one needs power over sin if it has no dwelling place in their heart.
Many teachers offer you wisdom they say will give you power over sin. That is not God’s promise to you. Jesus Christ came to take your sin away. His blood was shed to wash it from your heart; to wash it from your nature. Do not scoff at the mention of truly being free. This is what Jesus promised to do when he said, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed!
As long as you believe that you must always be a sinner and sin must always remain in you, both will be true for you. But if you will believe the word of God, you can, and will, be free.
Simply Christ Gospel Insight is shared weekly by Pastor Keith Surface with believers in over 150 nations. For more information about this ministry or to subscribe free, visit https://linkly.link/2lQbI.
