We
sin, when we are drawn away by our own lust... Lust is the bait, and ensnared
by it. Lust appears as a thought tossed into our head by the powers of darkness
who have been studying mankind collectively from time eternal, and each of us
individually from birth. They know what will entice each of us to sin. When we
dwell on the thought, and think or do things that support or enhance the
thought, we only add fuel to the fire of lust.
“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and
enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when
it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:13-16) Notice the eight steps
outlined in these verses: (1) Tempted: A soliciting thought appears. (2) Drawn
Away: Our response fuels the thought, dragging us away. (3) Desire: Lust,
strong longing for something. (4)
Enticed: Baited and ensnared by lust, as our will weakens. (5) Conceived: Taken
hold of and controlled by lust. (6) Sin: Consummation of desire, missing God’s
mark. (7) Fully Grown: Habitual, to bring sin to maturity. (8) Death:
Separation from God, the fruit of habitual sin.
All sin is premeditated... a
planned event, an informed path willfully traveled. The step from desiring a
drink... to sitting in a bar ripe roaring drunk does not happen
instantaneously, and there are many steps from seeing an attractive woman to
ending up in the back seat of a car with her on some deserted rural road...
committing adultery. Ditto the steps from “wanting” things to creating idols
out of our possessions, our bodies our intellect, our job, our hobbies, etc.
Likewise the steps from “pleasure” to pleasure seeking, becoming lovers of
pleasure, are many. Temptations come in many colors, and we will all be
tempted. The critical step is step two, Draw Away, how we respond to the
initial temptation. If we fondle and caress it, focusing our mind and thoughts
on our desires... we become Dead Men Walking! But, if we set our mind on things
above, we can bring the tempting thought into captivity into the obedience of
Christ.
SIN IS A PLANNED EVENT
AN INFORMED PATH WILLFULLY TRAVELED
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