May 4 Take Heed

May 4

Take Heed

Ro 7:19 For the good that I would I do not:

but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Hungry alligators glided silently through the swamp water, venomous snakes slithered along tree branches overhead and huge spider webs across the trails made progress dangerous and difficult. But undaunted Pogo Possum emerged from the edge of the swamp to declare “We have met the enemy and they are US!”  

This cartoon series presented some interesting philosophical truths, but none more multi-faceted than Pogo’s declaration that we are our own worst enemies.

Paul discussed that fact in the book of Romans. In chapter six he said the problem was sin and the question was “How can I stop doing bad things?” You will recall Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin…” But in chapter seven his focus is on the law and the question becomes “How can I do good things?” In this chapter the focus is on the law and it’s inabilities to make us good. Even keeping every law, if that were possible, would not remove our old sin cursed nature.

That is the jumping off place I want to start with for today’s devotion. How is it possible that as born again Christians, we struggle against “… the evil which I would not, that I do.” As Paul phrased it.

1^st John reduces sin to three key elements.

1Jo 2:16 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.

Here sin is laid bare. All that is in the world, lust of flesh (sex) lust of the eyes (covetousness), and the pride of life (pride in all its many forms) are the basic sins we encounter. The biggest problem with these is you must be on guard against them the rest of your life. Just when you have choked one of them to death and turned your back they revive and leap on you again. When we have gained some spiritual victory, even as we congratulate ourselves, some sin roars in to remind us in our flesh dwelleth no good thing (Rom 7:18)

The culture we live in makes it even more difficult. Advertisers know “sex sells”. Where do we turn to avoid impure thoughts. The TV is loaded with bare chested men, plunging necklines, and scantily clad people. Magazines, movies, the Internet, and road signs, all appeal to lust to sell products or provide “entertainment”. The immodest way people dress certainly does not help.

That which was once shameful is now a mark of distinction. Sodomy (homosexuality) is now viewed in the most positive way. Those who disagree are seen as bigots, and unloving. Posing for Playboy is now a career boost. Being featured in the skimpiest of swimsuits in a sports magazine now becomes a resume builder. The examples are endless. 

Ex 20:17 Thou shalt not covet…

De 5:21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife,

neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house…

Both of these verses list things we should not covet. The word covet is one of those words we think we know the meaning of, but it might be useful to ask Mr. Webster what it means.

“Covetous – 1. Marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions, or for another’s possessions. 2 Having a craving for possessions.  Syn –covetous, greedy, acquisitive, grasping, avaricious.”

To covet is way beyond keeping up with the Jones’s. I used to paraphrase that as “buying things we can’t afford to impress people we don’t like” To covet is to have such a desire for wealth and things that we push normal restraints aside to gain them. We all know people who buy “toys” they cannot afford. It is amusing to drive by ramshackle houses that have a shiny satellite dish on their roof. 

Advertisers may use sex to get your attention, but then they appeal to covetousness. A currant ad for a curved screen TV has no other pitch than “It’s the next big thing” It’s new, so you gotta have it! Then there are the ads showing people comparing smart phones. “Oh, no wonder you can’t do that. You have an old model phone.”  It doesn’t matter that the old phone does everything you want, the phone people appeal to both covetousness and the pride of life and want you to buy the latest whiz bang thing. The motto of the coveting person is “I want it all and I want it now”.  If going to the mall and buying things is your remedy for feeling “blue” you may want to ask yourself some tough questions.

Finally the toughest one to combat. Pride of life. Being proud has become a noble and desirous thing today. Shouldn’t we be proud of our children, or proud of what we have done and achieved?

Yes, those things may please you. But if they cause you to take credit and exclude thoughts of God’s blessing on you, then no.

Ps 10:4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance,

 will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.  

Or your pride causes you to look upon others in a disdainful manner then no, you should not be proud.

Pr 13:10  Only by pride cometh contention:

but with the well advised is wisdom.

If your pride is based on your being such a wonderful, intelligent and powerful person, able to accomplish great things by yourself, with no thought of God, then no, you should not be proud.  I like to substitute the phrase “better than you because of me” for the word pride. When we begin to think that we are better than others because of what we have done, we are on the slippery slope to a fall.

Pr 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction,

and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Our culture has made pride a positive thing. It may be hard for some to admit it can be sin. Pride and proud are found in 91 verses, and never in a positive way.

What solution does the Bible offer for our sin problems? Paul asked the same thing,

Ro 7:24 O wretched man that I am!

who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Post-modern culture answers the sin question by announcing that nothing is sinful. Everything is relative. Love is the answer.

1Jo 1:8  If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

May God increase our sensitivity to sin in a world that denies sin exists. May our spiritual nature alert us immediately when we step over the line (transgress) or miss the mark (sin). Yes the Bible does have a remedy for our sin problem.

1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful

and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Let no one read this and assume it does not apply to them. The Bible also warns us,

1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.