5.18.11 "This is What Sin Does"

"This is What Sin Does"

1 Samuel 22:1-23:29
John 10:1-21
Psalm 115:1-18
Proverbs 15:18-19

"The thief's purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness." John 10:10

I don't know how many times I've heard that verse. You may be in the same position. You hear something, but you don't really get it until you see it first hand. One of the hardest parts of ministry is to see lives destroyed through this little three letter word called "sin".

When sin enters, it entices, twists, distorts, blinds, and ultimately kills. Those who pursue sin often do it willingly. They're willing to risk it because the enticement presents comfort, pleasure, and a false sense of peace. Then the twisting kicks in. "I deserve this." These are the words spoken by one who follows after sin. This twisting of truth and justification creates a distortion; an alternate reality where it becomes "other people's problems" that are the cause of all this. Then the blindness sets in. The light of Truth can no longer be seen, and the voice of God can no longer be heard. Then like sheep to the slaughter...

Why don't we see this? Why don't we believe it? Why do we think it can't happen to us? There may be individuals in your home who are walking down this path. There are friends of yours. There are people at work. They don't see where they're headed. They don't see what sin has done to their ability to reason, to think clearly, to make good decisions.

In I Samuel chapters 22 & 23 we read of David's flight from Saul. He has to hide in caves, and run from town to town and live in the countryside. I was struck with a few statements Saul made. Saul hears where David is hiding, and yells at his men, "Is that why you are against me? For not one of you has ever told me that my own son is on David's side. You're not even sorry for me. Think of it! My own son - encouraging David to come and kill me!" (I Sam 22:8)

We all know the story well enough to realize that Saul is a bit whacked. We know that David is not out to kill Saul. The opposite is true. And yet that is how sin has twisted Saul's ability to reason. He even wants people to feel sorry for him. Reading the following chapter as well we see how the hardness of his heart has created an alternate reality from what is really true.

It's so easy for us to see it in Saul's life. Why do we not see it in our own? Why don't we see it in the person sitting next to us. We think, "It's just a little sin..." We MUST understand that EVERY sin has the same purpose! ...to kill and destroy...

Christ has come that we might have life. "I am the Good Shepherd and know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14-15 We need to hear his voice, and not be destroyed by sin.

To live the Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship, we must separate ourselves from sin. We must walk in obedience. We need to live life to the fullest!

Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

Pastor Greg Lathe

Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
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