SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1395

“Sin is Crouching”

Sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it. – Genesis 4:7

Don’t Open the Door – Have you ever watched a movie or read a book where one the main characters was in danger from what was outside their home? Did you find yourself shouting ‘Don’t open the door!?’

That is the intent of this devotional: It is a warning cry to not open the doors that make us vulnerable to sin. Some doors should never be opened if we are Christians, following Jesus.  

Behind the doors of your internet access, certain movies, entertainment venues, various games and music genres are temptations to sin – don’t open those doors!

Abstain from every form of evil; Be holy in all your conduct; Do not be conformed to this world; For this is the will of God, your sanctification. – 1 Thessalonians 5:22; 1 Peter 1:15; Romans 12:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Behind the Door – The temptation for our flesh to sin is crouching at the door. We must avoid falling into its trap and not give the enemy the opportunity to establish a stronghold.

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. –  Galatians 5:19-21

Turn on the Light – Turn on the porch light to expose what is lurking there. Darkness flees before the light of Christ.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. – 1 John 1:7

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16

Flee immorality – We must avoid a compromised life with one foot on the path of sin and the other foot on the path of Jesus. We are sure to stumble and fall if we do not flee immorality.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you; But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. – James 4:7; Romans 13:14

Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. – Psalm 119:133

Choose Good Fellowship – There are social clubs and secret societal groups that although they have a good outward appearance, they actually harbor sinister aesthetics and philosophies that are contrary to the Truth of the Word of God. Don’t open those doors!

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. – Proverbs 13:20

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”- 1 Corinthians 15:33

Avoid Questionable Environments – If we are to live the set apart, sanctified life we do well to avoid environments that subject us to temptation to sin. Be careful of the seedy, sinful environment that is ever-present in your pocket presented by your smart phone.

Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them. – Proverbs 22:5

Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. – Proverbs 4:14-15

Do Not be Unequally Yoked – We must choose our spouse, friends, and business partnerships carefully in that they help to keep us on the path of righteousness.

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. – 2 Corinthians 6:14

Remain Sober- Minded – We must remain on guard, watchful, and alert and not lulled to sleep by the siren song of worldly prosperity and compromise.

One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless; For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. – Proverbs 14:16; 2 Corinthians 11:14

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

Jesus is the Open Door – Always look for the open door of Jesus for sin cannot lurk there.

Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut; I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved. – Revelation 3:8; John 10:9

Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12

May you walk continually in the abiding presence of The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.