The Deceitfulness of Sin

Sin is deceitful, according to Hebrews 3:13. Something can often appear to be the right thing to do, when actually it is wrong and sinful. King Saul thought it was right to spare King Agag and the best of the flocks (1 Samuel 15), but it was very wrong. Paul thought he was right when he persecuted Christians (Acts 23:1; 26:9), but he was wrong. "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Pr 14:12).

Sin promises freedom, but what it really brings is slavery. If you don't believe it, ask the man who keeps carrying on an affair, even though it's destroying him, his family, and his spouse's family. He has become a slave to his passions. Ask the man who is hooked on dangerous drugs who has lost his health, his family and his integrity. Ask the man who has sacrificed everything else in order to get rich. Looking for financial freedom, what he got instead were more worries than he ever dreamed of. "His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin" (Pr 5:22).

Sin can seem very attractive, but it is actually very ugly. What you see is not what you get. The fruit of the tree looked very attractive to Eve (Genesis 3:6), but she didn't stop to think of the ugly consequences (Genesis 2:17). A festering, oozing sore was how God described Judah 's sins (Isaiah 1:5-6). When the apostle Peter wrote about brethren returning to sin, he described it as a dog returning to its vomit and a sow to her wallowing in the mud (2 Pet 2:18-22). The advertising industry paints one picture of sin; God paints an entirely different one.

Sin appears to be satisfying and fulfilling, but it winds up being very disappointing. Without a doubt, sin can bring us a certain kind of pleasure but it is short-lived. It was said of Moses that he chose "rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin" (Heb 11:25). "And the world is passing away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever" (1 Jn 2: 17).

To avoid sin realize that it is progressive in nature. One thing leads to another (see Ps 1:1). Become a child of God and look to Jesus who promises to "not allow you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Cor 10:13).

We are not going to be perfect but we can "walk in the light" and be continuously cleansed of our sins (1 Jn 1:6-10) always having the hope of eternal reward in heaven. Or, we can "walk in darkness" working for Satan instead of God and receive "the wages of sin [which r.w.] is death" (Ro 6:23).

The church of Christ at Forum welcomes visitors and/or private home studies. See the link below for contact information: www.ForumCOC.org