Keep Away

This Bible will keep you away from sin, or sin will keep you away from the Bible.” (Rev Jim Smith)

Hardship can destroy us, or deepen our faith. Suffering is unavoidable and unexpected at times. The outcome to adversity hinges on the character of our response to it.

Rebellion against God has a consequence of some sort (even if it's guilt). How can you respond to suffering that's the result of your own willful choices? Here are some helpful steps in dealing with the consequences of your sin:

One leak will sink a ship and one sin will destroy a sinner.” (John Bunyan)

1.  Assume responsibility: Own up to your mistakes. Admit to yourself the adverse circumstances you're facing are of your own doing. If you're a child of God who desires for Him to be glorified through your life, adversity will not put you down for the count. T person who views eternity from God’s perspective will emerge victorious through any trial.

“If you think that you can sin, and then by cries avert the consequences of sin, you insult God's character.” (Frederick William Robertson)

2.  Confess and repent of sin: Tell God you've sinned (not just that you made a mistake or had an accident). Repentance requires that you make a decision to turn away from sin. To repent is to make every arrangement necessary to avoid repeating the same failing.

“A clear conscience is absolutely essential for distinguishing between the voice of God and the voice of the enemy. Unconfessed sin is a prime reason why many do not know God's will.” (Winkie Pratney)

3.  Do not complain: If you suffer because of your own actions, you have no right to complain. Don’t spend your energy trying to get people’s sympathy. Focus on getting right with God.

“The chains of sin are to light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.” (Tom Drout)

4.  Ask God to help you discover the weakness through which sin crept into your life: Have you adopted ideas into your world view that are contrary to Scripture? Is someone in your life a constant source of temptation? Questions like these can help you identify how sin entered your life and found a resting place.

True repentance is followed by genuine gratitude. God disciplines those He loves, and no one finds the process pleasant. When you understand suffering from God’s viewpoint, you can appreciate that He plans to use trials to accomplish good.

“I’m against sin. I’ll kick it as long as I’ve got a foot, and I’ll fight it as long as I’ve got a fist. I’ll butt it as long as I’ve got a head. I’ll bite it as long as I’ve got a tooth. And when I’m old and fistless and footless and toothless, I’ll gum it till I go home to Glory and it goes home to perdition.” (Billy Sunday)

Recognize God wants to use adversity in your life: Regardless of the source. Adversity is a powerful tool in the Lord’s hands when you cooperate with how Him in using it. Tell Him, Trust Him to use this time of hardship to deepen your faith and strengthen your commitment to Him. [i]

“Sin always finds its root in our own selfish desires and self-gratification.” (Joe Campbell)

A southern gospel song (performed by the Cathedrals) that summarizes what’s been discussed above is named, “Sin Will Take You Farther. “ What is your opinion about the lyrics below?

Verse One

As a child I foolishly turned God away
Not knowing the heartache a sinner must face
But God in His goodness has let me return
To share with His children this lesson I've learned

Chorus

Sin will take you farther than you wanna go
Slowly but wholly taking control
Sin will leave you longer than you wanna stay
Sin will cost you far more than you wanna pay

Verse Two

So with pleasure and promises sin took control
Leaving me dying with nothing to show
Gone were my loved ones and my dearest friends
Only a Savior could love me again

Chorus 2X

Tag

Sin will cost you far more wanna pay

“Temptation can be tormenting…Remember; the torment of temptation to sin is nothing to compare with the torment of the consequences of sin. Remorse and regret cannot compensate for sin…Though sins can be forgiven immediately (the consequences can last a lifetime).” (Edwin Louis Cole)

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[i] Adapted from “The Consequences of Sin” (www.intouch.org)