Sin

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Psalm 106:6 Admitting Doing Wrong

We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. Psalm 106:6

Admitting that one did something wrong is very difficult for most people. Instead of admitting what was done wrong, many people choose to blame others or the circumstances for their decisions and actions. No one likes to be seen as a failure or a bad person. The majority of people see themselves as an overall good person with a few faults, but not many. They will not identify themselves with those who are locked up in prison for horrible crimes.

This psalmist does a confession that he and the people had sinned with their fathers, committing sins and doing wicked things.

When a person compares self with another person, it is easy to think that one is not as bad. All that is seen is the surface things being done right or wrong and that is where the comparison is made. In doing this, sin is often overlooked as not being as bad as it really is.

Every person will have to admit that at some point in one’s life that person has either lied, cheated, was jealous, hating, wishing someone dead, or lustful in their heart or mind or in actual actions. People just count that to being human and not really that bad, as long as it was not a grossly huge crime against another person, nor as bad as what someone else has done.

In doing this, people forget how horrible sin really is. Sin, no matter how little or great it is, is against God and worthy of eternal punishment. Instead of pointing fingers at others for them being ‘more sinful’, one must admit one’s own sin before God and repent of those sins. Everyone has done wickedly and sinned against God, yet God is ready to forgive.

No matter how good you may appear to be, there have been times you have sinned against God just as did others before you. Any one of those sins makes you just as wicked as the person on death row in prison. Do not try to cover up or blame others for the sin you have done. Be willing to admit it to God, confess those sins and repent of those sins. God waiting and ready to forgive you and give you a new life in Christ Jesus.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior; that you will admit your sins to God; that you will not blame others for your sins; that you will repent of all sins against God; and that you will know the forgiveness God has for you.

Picture by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

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Psalm 91:13 The Lion And Serpent Under Foot

You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. Psalm 91:13

Walking in high brush areas can be a dangerous location to be in. If one is in Africa, there is a danger of lions prowling about looking for prey to capture and devour. In many other parts of the world, there is a danger of hiding snakes ready to strike anything that comes near. Very few people would be willing to take their chances of stepping on a snake, and none would step on a lion that is in their pathway.

The psalmist writes that the one who makes God a refuge will be able to tread upon the lion and the cobra and put both under the feet.

The majority of people live in places or cities where walking upon a snake or a lion is not a common threat. Although there may be no real danger of a real lion or a real snake, there are dangers everywhere one may be of a spiritual lion or snake out to consume and destroy.

Satan is portrayed as serpent from the beginning and is also seen as like a lion. The entire goal of Satan is to kill and destroy. This is done in lies and deception through people.

Regardless of where one lives, there is always a threat trying to get one to sin against God. Any sin against God brings about death and destruction immediately spiritually and eventually physically if not dealt with.

Temptation will rise to get one to sin, but God has always made a way out of that temptation. Believers, who trust in the Lord, will be able to step upon the lion and the cobra’s head of temptation and trample them under foot, rejecting sinning against God.

The world and Satan are out to destroy in any way possible. Both are focused on trying to deceive you into stepping into sin against God. Goals are to bite and devour you in sin. Put your whole trust in God and follow His ways of living. Jesus removed the guilt of sin and has given you life. God shows the way to live and how to resist sin and the temptation to sin. With God, you can step upon the head of the serpent and the lion of temptation and trample them under foot.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will trust God with your life; that God will give you strength and wisdom to step upon the temptations of Satan to sin; and that God will put Satan under your feet.

Picture by Meg Jerrard on Unsplash

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Psalm 82:5 Unstable Foundations

They do not know, nor do they understand; they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are unstable. Psalm 82:5

Having a firm foundation is important to have stability. When a house is being built, the builder wants to have it built upon a solid foundation. Sand and soft dirt is removed and replaced with rock to create a firm foundation. Without that foundation, the building is unstable and will shift, crack and sometimes fall down. On the surface it may appear to be solid, but it is what is underneath the building that gives it firmness and stability.

Asaph is talking about the people who do not serve God and says that they do not know or understand as they walk in darkness. He said the foundations of the earth are unstable.

Society has various beliefs that they believe are solid foundations of life. The world believes that mankind is in control and can do what one wants as long as it does not immediately harm another person. Rules are made to allow for people to live in nearly any way imaginable.

Over time, these rules and regulations of society has changed drastically. What was deemed unacceptable yesterday is now acceptable today and that will change again tomorrow.

People are now confused as to what gender they are or should be, causing a breakdown in one of the most firm foundations of the earth. This lifestyle is a shifting foundation that causes society to crack and fall. Some in the church are beginning to walk in that darkness of a false, shifting foundation.

True believers are building their lives upon Jesus and God’s word that are an eternal and firm foundation that does not shift nor change with time or circumstances. God is light, and they have seen the true light of life and no longer walk in darkness.

As you go through life, the world will strive to get you to walk with them in the darkness of sin on a shifting, unstable foundation. You have a choice to make as to what foundation you will build your life upon. The world’s foundation is unstable and will crack and destroy you bringing you judgement that condemns you to death and hell for eternity. God’s foundation is solid and stable that will give you eternal life, purpose and satisfaction that the world cannot provide.

What is your foundation?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will walk in the light of God’s word; that you will build your foundation upon God’s word; and that God will reveal to you the false foundations of this fallen world.

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Psalm 79:1 The Enemy Is Infiltrating

O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance; Your holy temple they have defiled; they have laid Jerusalem in heaps. Psalm 79:1

In battles between two nations, there is often one that rises above the other. The enemy will sometimes be able to infiltrate the nation and cause destruction in order to break down the nation and win the battle. Once the enemy is inside the borders of another nation, it is very difficult to push them back out. It takes extraordinary strength and power to remove the enemy once inside the borders.

Asaph calls out to God to tell Him that the foreign nations have crossed into Jerusalem and defiled the temple and destroyed Jerusalem.

The goal of the enemy is to infiltrate and take over the opposition. In the process there is often a lot of damage done. The more the enemy can break down the target, the stronger they will become.

The world is an enemy to God and to His followers. Satan wants to infiltrate and destroy the lives of believers and their faith in any way that he can. Many churches and believers have let down their guard and allowed the enemy to get in and defile God’s holy temple.

Believers are to be the holy temple of God, where God dwells, yet, they have allowed sin to come in and reign in their lives. Rejection of God’s word as the solid foundation of truth has been accepted. Sin has become acceptable and even promoted inside the church defiling the temple of God, both as an institution and in the individual believer’s hearts.

Believers need to cry out to God in repentance and seek God’s mercy upon their lives as they turn from sin and allow God to push the enemy back out of His holy temple.

Any time you choose to sin, you allow the enemy to infiltrate God’s holy temple and defile it. You are to be the holy temple, the dwelling place of God that has been cleansed of all sin for God’s glory.

Put on the full armor of God and fight against the enemy that wars against your soul. Allow God to be the only One to dwell inside of your life and do not defile His temple with sin. Do not allow sin to reign in your life, but have God to be the one on the throne of your heart.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will be the holy temple in which God dwells; that God will give you strength to resist the enemy of your soul; and that God will reign in your life.

Picture by Peter Herrmann on Unsplash