I've been thinking lately about willful sin. I remember doing a study on this topic a year or so ago and thinking, honestly, that I didn't ever sin in ways that I knew, in advance, was intentional and willful sin. Wow, I could not have been in more denial! I certainly do; and it's not just once every year or so.
It's the little things... the tiny adjustment to the way I tell a story, even though I might be trying to spare someone's feelings. The truth is the truth. Adjustments to it (and sometimes omissions from it) make it untruth, and speaking falsehoods...well, that'd be sin right there.
And although I won't go into them here, there are certainly other areas in which I've willfully disobeyed the Lord. Sometimes it's clear and direct contradiction to the Word, and sometimes it's just not doing whatever He's put upon my heart to do. Either way, it's willful disobedience.
I'm struggling a little bit with in myself for an understanding of how I'm meant to approach these topics. I know I should not do them. Obviously. :) I also know that if it were just as simple as quickly deciding not to ever sin, well, I would have done that by now! I was praying last night for guidance on this topic, wisdom and insight. I know it's not always quite as easy as "just don't do it" (although sometimes it definitely is!).
In my devotions this morning, here's a verse that caught my attention:
"With my whole heart have I sought You, inquiring for and of You and yearning for You; Oh, let me not wander or step aside [either in ignorance or willfully] from Your commandments. Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You" Psalms 119:10-11 (AMP).
It amazes and humbles me to remember just how easily I can begin to rely upon myself again. Even in trying to obey Him, God is my strength and my only hope in living through the Spirit and therefore living beyond what I am capable of on my own!
Lord, let this day be about me trying less and yielding more. Yielding to you, yielding to Your word, guidance and will. Thank You for allowing Your Spirit to be with me and for giving me a chance of living up to Your will for me today! I love You, Lord! Amen.
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