Tag: Sin

Morning Musing: Romans 6:1-2

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“What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter) 

What should be the relationship of the follower of Jesus to sin? Obviously we shouldn’t do it, but let’s be honest: a simple “ought not” isn’t usually sufficient to keep us from it. We need to understand the why behind the should not before we’re going to wrap our heart and mind around it to a sufficient degree that it begins to have the kind of power in our lives it needs to have. Here in Romans 6, Paul explores this very idea. His treatment may not be exhaustive, but it is powerful. Let’s spend some time unpacking this together. 

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Digging in Deeper: Ephesians 6:11

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“Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter) 

This Friday, we are going to take a look at James’ contribution to the topic of spiritual warfare. He says that we should submit to God and resist the devil. The result will be that the devil will flee from us. Here, we encounter Paul’s even more famous thoughts on spiritual warfare. How does what he says fit with James’ words? Let’s take a look at this together and set a context for what is to come. 

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Morning Musing: James 1:14

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“But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter) 

One of the lessons we have been trying to drive into the hearts and minds of our boys is that our choices matter. They matter and they are powerful. The things we want, over time, define us. Some things are beyond our control and some choices are made for us, but there is much that we do choose. Our desires play a big role in the shape and direction of our lives. And according to James here, our desires are a chief feature of our experience with temptation. 

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Digging in Deeper: Genesis 3:2-3

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“The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, “You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.”’”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter) 

How do you resist temptation? What are your strategies? Are there any routines that help you do it? Do you have certain things you say, perhaps a mantra of some kind? The fact is, you do face it. We all face it. We’ve all faced it since Eve here took the initial shot to the heart. Succumbing to it obviously isn’t the best plan, but if we don’t have another one better, that’s usually what’s going to happen. What do we do? 

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Morning Musing: Genesis 3:21

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“The Lord God made clothing from skins for the man and his wife, and he clothed them.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter) 

This is one of my favorite verses in this whole story. This verse seems like almost an afterthought when you first read it, but I think a good argument can be made that it reveals more important information about God’s character than anything else in this section. Let’s talk about why. 

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