Is it worth what it will cost you? Are you willing to trade eternal treasures for fleeting pleasures? Is the brief excitement worth all you lose?
Are you willing to trade a deep joy for a temporary high? Will you trade intimate fellowship with God for moment of pleasure? Is the brief praise of man worth more to you than confidence of God’s blessing?
Is telling that rumor worth losing the trust of others? Will you risk losing your family to satisfy your lustful curiosity? Is your integrity worth more to you than any amount of money you can take? Is the truthfulness of your word to be treasured more than any temporary gain from lying? Does holding on to your anger provide anything better for you long term?
Sin is costly. There are no small sins, no secret sins, and no safe sins. What seems small, secret, and safe will eventually become significant, shameful, and deadly. An unrestrained thought in the mind grows into an uncontrollable storm.
Little white lies turn in to double lives. What started as “recreational” drug use will eventually steal your job and your lifestyle. The “joy” of spreading the latest gossip will eventually cost you true friendship and trust. What began as a “normal” porn habit could rob you of your family and your dignity. That “innocent” flirting with your co-worker will slowly lead you down a path of regret and destruction.
And, worst of all, even the slightest transgression fails to give God the glory due his name. Every lie demonstrates to the world a God who doesn’t speak truth. Holding unforgiveness in our heart presents a God who won’t forgive. When we sin in our actions, thoughts, or motives, we rebel against Almighty God and bring disrepute upon his character.
We sin against the Father who lavishes us with blessings beyond what we could ever deserve. We sin against the Son who gave his life so we can be set free from sin. We quench the Spirit who desires to lead us from the path of destruction.
Warnings aren’t meant to merely discourage us, but to lead us to repentance before it’s too late. No matter how far off path you’ve gone, you can turn around (repent), confess, and receive God’s forgiveness. However, if you continue down a path of destruction, you will reap the consequences.
“And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 4:7, ESV).
Repent and turn to the Lord before it’s too late.
Thank you for the reminder to « go for the crown of glory » that awaits all those in the race, that we must put off all sin, crucify the desires that wage war in our being. It’s definitely a combat. But we can have victory because Jesus-Christ conquered the grace.
Blessing to you and your family!
Thank you for these straightforward words.