Where sin is...you probably are

Where sin is...you probably are 

“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, 

sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Genesis 4:7

When temptation enters our hearts and minds, we either deal with it and gain mastery over it, or it eventually leads us to sinful actions. The time between the initial temptation and the chosen response is critical. Much hangs in the balance.

Cain knew that God was displeased with him but pleased with Abel. Feelings of jealous anger crept into Cain's heart, and thoughts of murder pervaded his mind. As Cain considered what to do, God's Word came to him. God warned him that sin was waiting at the door of his life, looking for an opportunity to enter. Now was not the time to treat temptation lightly, not the time to assume sin would never cause any harm. Now was the time to master the sin and renounce it before it overcame him. Tragically, Cain did not master his sin; instead, sin overtook him and destroyed his life.

Temptations come at unexpected moments. Sinful thoughts may cross your mind. Selfish feelings may begin to invade your heart. The promptings of the Holy Spirit will warn you that God is not pleased with the direction your thoughts and feelings are taking you. At that moment of conviction, you must master the sin that crouches at the door of your life. Sin destroys. Sin brings death. Sin is not something to toy with or take lightly. God's Word to you is the same warning He gave to Cain: master the sin at the door of your life before it brings its inevitable and disastrous consequences. Heed His caution, and you will avoid unnecessary hardship for yourself and others. - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day 

Temptation abounds in our world.  As someone one stated about advanced technology...looking far enough ahead we can see things as indistinguishable from magic.  We have at our fingertips the ability to either learn great things or sink to the lowest forms of depravity. 

No human being is immune to the wiles of temptation.  Satan tried it with Jesus for 40 days.  What we do with temptation is what determines if sin follows. 

We are and always will have to deal with temptation.  Removing technology will not exempt you from experiencing it.  Even the world-considered 'savages' to the Amish all face the temptation to sin. 

But even if you should sit and ponder and scheme and design ways to avoid it. You will still face it.  You, like everyone since Adam and Eve, were born in sin.  It's like you trying to live without your reflection or shadow.  Where you go so that is there with you. 

Nobody is immune to the wiles of temptation.  It's what we do in response to it that matters.  I struggle every day with temptation.  If you are honest with yourself so do you.  If you say you are not, then, my friend, you are a liar.  You are as the Bible says "self-deceived". You are intentionally believing something that Scripture says isn't true.  

The temptation to believe false doctrines is always there.  It's at the crux of why so many Churches split. Creating new doctrines to appease those in the world so as to not offend them...to provide a sense of inclusion.  Hate to break it to you.  Sin offends God.  Sin was why He had to come to Earth to live a sinless life, to die on a cross, to raise again 3 days later, to pay the price for sin.  Sin cannot be where God is. 

Which is why in the New Testament it specifically says exactly who will not see Heaven.  

It doesn't matter what Church you were going to that was inclusive of homosexuality, there will be none in Heaven that were not born again AND had repented of that SIN and had turned to Salvation in Christ Jesus. 

It's important to note that all people face the temptation to sin, not just Christians. 

In Christ we can be forgiven...the direction being to turn such a one from that sin to freedom in Christ.  If you aren't a Christian you face all of the consequences of that life on your own.  Including the day you face Jesus to give an account of your life.  That day will tell you what you already know deep down within you. You are guilty before God.  Only in that day there will be nothing you can do about your problem of not receiving Christ as your Savior. Your next destination will be Hell, not Heaven. It matters not how purely you lived. Without Christ means your future is in Hell. 

Temptation is always before you.  It's analogous to ads on your phone or computer.  You have the choice to go farther or remove them far from you. 

You also have that choice in front of you in your time away from home. When you sit in front of a television.  You choose. 

You choose, I choose, we all choose what happens next. 

Consider well your decisions.  As I have said, I am not immune to temptation myself.  It's a daily thing that often knocks me to my knees.  I often have to ask for forgiveness and Jesus is still there to help me back on my feet.  Then we try to go back to walking together again. 

Denial is great in this world.  Refusing to believe in sin is at the top of the list. Refusing to believe that people in prominent positions would lie to us is up there on the list. Worldly people are influenced by Satan. They want and will entice us to join with them in their false beliefs.  As we are runners in the race to get to Heaven, we will see all kinds of things to try to break our stride, to get us to turn off that main road. To get us to believe things contrary to what God has already clearly shown us. 

Paul mentions in closing of at least one letter, that may the Lord guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  So that I pray for you.