Last week I wrote about the sin of one and the affects it has on others. The matter of sin isn’t exactly the most popular subject to speak out against, especially when it gets to dealing with personal sin. Regardless of its popularity or acceptance, the message still has to be told. Sin is serious and to flirt with sin is an invitation for Satan to set up shop within your heart and mind and to subject yourself to punishment from our holy Heavenly Father.

It all boils down to choices. Every born again believer, including myself, has choices to make every day. We can determine and settle in our hearts that every time the lure of sin comes, we will just say no. No to immorality, no to lust, no to envy, no to jealousy, no to adultery, no to pride, no to strife, no to Satan; just simply no to sin. Or you can choose not to say no, rather saying okay or yes to Satan and sin.

In James 4:17 the bible says, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” This verse speaks of man’s knowledge of good but willingly omits God from any plans and chooses to not do good, and that is sin. I’ll say it again, sin is a choice. The devil knows that our flesh, the old Adamic nature or the old man, is weak and he tempts us daily to sin against God. We need to realize that if the Lord lives in our heart, we have the power to say no to sin and yes to God. It is a choice we make to submit ourselves to God. It is a choice of resistance towards the devil and the temptation will be rejected and leave us.

My personal belief is that the majority of Americans do not have any fear of God therefore they are not really concerned about God’s view of their sin. They don’t realize that God hates sin. He loves sinners, but hate sin. Sin separated man from God. God sent His only begotten son to pay for our sin and to rejoin the Creator with His creation.

God’s view is as it has always been. He sees all and knows all. I’m afraid that most attitudes are similar to, “Well, as long as mom and dad don’t find out.” “As long as my husband/wife doesn’t know.” “Just so my friends, coworkers, neighbors, and/or fellow church members aren’t aware.” They simply don’t mind if God knows just as long as everybody else doesn’t. They merely have no fear of God or His judgment.

Sin is a choice. Remember, life is temporal. In light of eternity, don’t choose to fulfill the lust of the flesh but rather choose to please God. Just say no to sin. Sin is a terrible companion. The pleasures of sin only last for a season (Hebrews 11:25). When you say yes to Jesus, he is the best companion you could every want in this life. He is “a friend that sticketh closer than a brother,” (Proverbs 18:24). Follow Jesus, resist the devil, and you will be guaranteed to find a joy and peace that no sin can ever provide.

Tune in to WBCU 103.5 FM Sundays at noon for the Shining Light Broadcast. I preach a 15-minute message that I pray will be a blessing to those who listen. If you have a prayer concern, comment, or question, please write to: Voice of Victory, Attn: David Burrell, PO Box 1221, Pacolet, SC 29372, message me on Facebook, or e-mail me at daveburrell@live.com.