John 10:10 (NKJV) “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
So why do so many Christians struggle to experience this abundant life? One reason is the deceitfulness of sin.
Sin lies to you.
From the beginning of creation, Satan has used deception to lead people away from God. In Genesis 3:1, he questioned what God had said to Eve. He wanted her to doubt God’s Word. He wants us to believe the lie that God doesn’t mean what He says. Once we believe the lie, we begin to live the lie, and our separation from God only grows.
Hebrews 3:13 (NKJV) “but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
We are warned against the deceitfulness of sin. It’s clear. Our hearts can become hardened “through the deceitfulness of sin.”
You know as well as I do that sin promises much but delivers very little. It’s never a good idea to choose sin, ever. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and watch Him lead you into a life you will enjoy. You can trust Him.
We need to recognize four dangerous lies.
1. You got away with it.
No, you haven’t been caught YET.
Ecclesiastes 8:11 (NKJV) warns that when judgment against evil is delayed, people become more determined to keep sinning. Just because consequences haven’t come doesn’t mean they won’t. God’s patience is giving you an opportunity to repent. Don’t mistake His mercy for permission to continue.
You didn’t get away with anything. Remember that.
2. Your sin is in the past.
No, your sin hasn’t found you out YET.
Numbers 32:23 (NKJV) says, “be sure your sin will find you out.”
Hidden sin has a way of coming into the light. You may convince yourself that nobody knows, but God knows. The longer you hide your sin, the more damage it can do. Bring it into the light today.
3. It’s too late for forgiveness.
No, you haven’t confessed your sin YET.
1 John 1:9 (NLT) “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
God is faithful to forgive our sins when we confess them. What a wonderful promise! You don’t have to continue carrying the burden of unconfessed sin. Come clean before the Lord with genuine repentance. He is ready to forgive.
4. You cannot resist temptation.
No, you haven’t taken God’s way of escape YET.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
God provides a way of escape when temptation comes. You are never forced to sin. By His grace and through the power of the Holy Spirit, you can say no. You can choose obedience.
Don’t underestimate the destructive power of sin. It will take more from you than you ever intended to give. The enemy wants to destroy your life completely.
Jesus came to give you abundant life. Sin will always get in the way of a life filled with joy. The enemy wants you discouraged and defeated, believing there is no hope of change. But there is hope in Jesus Christ.
Whatever sin you’re struggling with today, bring it to Him. Confess it. Turn away from it. Trust His Word and walk in the power of His Spirit. You don’t have to keep believing the lies.
Jesus is telling you the truth. Believe Him and follow Him.
Psalm 32:8 (NKJV) “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”
Psalm 37:4 (NKJV) “Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:23 (NKJV) “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.”
Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”
Proverbs 3:5–6 (NKJV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV) “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Romans 12:2 (NKJV) “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3 (NKJV) “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV) “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
James 1:5–6 (NKJV) “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:22 (NKJV) “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
1 Peter 2:15 (NKJV) “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—”
