Want to talk about sin? Neither do I. The word is offensive to me. When discussing it, I usually substitute another word, such as weakness or habit or challenge or struggle or addiction—sin wearing its dress-up clothes so it doesn’t seem so…offensive.

Just for fun, I looked to see what synonyms Thesaurus offered: offense, falling, indulgence, transgression, wrongdoing. That pretty much covers it.

We’re well acquainted with sin. Day after day it shuffles along with us, looking for a place to trip us. It doesn’t take something big.

Adam and Eve hadn’t been in the garden long before sin tripped them. Can you believe a lust for food led to disobedience, resulting in a consequence for mankind forever—inherited sin?

Can you believe desire for a bowl of stew to satisfy a momentary hunger caused Esau to yield his birthright to his brother, Jacob, affecting generations to come?

Sin sets before us a luscious buffet of tantalizing treats appealing to our physical desires. Who would suspect it’s a poison buffet?

Sin sets before us a luscious buffet of tantalizing treats appealing to our physical desires. Who would suspect it’s a poison buffet? Click To Tweet

First John 2:16 gives an inclusive picture. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

Lust reminds me of the hungry Israelites lusting for the leeks they’d left behind in Egypt, where they’d lived in bondage. If only they could go back and enjoy some leeks—and live in bondage again! (Read about this in Numbers 11:4-35.) God sent a plague, and they buried the people who lusted.

Galatians 4:9 fits here. “But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are know of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?”

Proverbs 4:14 presents a strategy to overcome temptation: “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” This indicates a decision, a choice, a mindset.

What if a pattern of behavior reaches the level of addiction? Addiction in its many forms destroys precious lives and families every day.

Thesaurus amplifies addiction: habit, compulsion, dependence, need, obsession, craving, infatuation.

Determination and resolve prove insufficient against the pull of addiction.

The topic of sin is complicated. I don’t have all the answers, but I have some.

The best news since John 3:16 is 1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

That’s freedom!

Here’s a strategy:

• Forsake the sin (a decision).
• Confess it to God (a decision).
• Believe you are forgiven (a decision).
• Walk in truth (a decision).

Truth: I have forsaken my sin and confessed it to God. He has forgiven me and cleansed me of all unrighteous.

Here's a strategy to overcome sin: forsake it, confess it, believe you are forgiven, and walk in truth. Click To Tweet

If you’re battling an addiction and choose to forsake it, don’t be surprised if the Enemy unleashes everything he’s got to blow you off the map.

Apostle Paul battled a “thorn in the flesh.” Three times he asked the Lord to remove it, but he didn’t. He gave Paul something better: his grace and his strength. “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Accepting a thorn in the flesh and relying on God’s grace and strength is not tolerating sin. But Paul’s experience tells us that whatever our need, God’s grace and strength are available to overcome it.

We may also need friends and counselors for encouragement, accountability, and prayer support.

Praying the Lord uses these thoughts to grow hope and lead you or someone you love to live the maximum life!

Would you tell me about a time when God showed up in your battle and delivered you? And please share this with your friends!

© Dianne Barker 2020