Sin in disguise

Before I talk about todays topic I just wanted to raise a quick point. I have been discussing a variety of topics, but if there is a specific topic that someone wanted to hear about in relation to Christ, then please contact me or leave a comment and I will work on a post that talks about that topic or area.

As for todays topic, I wanted to discuss a message that I heard a few years back. Its a bit more negative than some of my recent posts, but I pray that it will serve you well.

1 Kings 14:1-6 talks about the Ahijah's Prophecy Against Jeroboam. Ahijah was a prophet who was quite old and as a result has very poor sight. Jeroboam had previously mocked Ahijah, but now that his son was very ill, he sent his wife to Ahijah wearing a disguise and carrying many gifts. He wanted to hear what would happen to his son. But God told Ahijah that Jeroboam's wife was coming, so before she had even entered Ahijah's presence he said (1 Kings 14:6)

Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why this pretense? I have been sent to you with bad news

He was proceeded to inform the wife that disaster would fall on their house, because Jeroboam had turned his back on the Lord.

The point here is that most people that mock you now, will run to you later when they hit tough times. Despite the fact that they have mocked you, they can see something is different in your life when you serve Christ and live according to your will. It is because of this, they can see we are different, they can see Christ working in our lives. They can see our approach to God.

But one problem we face is, when sin enters our lives, it wont appear clearly. It will be disguised and not appear as we would expect. An example of this was King David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11. For those that dont know the story I suggest you read this chapter, but basically it speaks of when King David saw Bathsheba bathing and lust took hold of him. He had sex with her and she became pregnant. But she was already married and her husband was currently in the midst of a battle. Therefore to remove his guilt, King David asked his general to place Bathsheba's husband in a dangerous position in the battle that would see him killed.

How this relates to my point is, for King David sin didnt appear as he would have expected. Sin appeared in the form of a beautiful woman (Bathsheba), it didnt show up in the form of what would be the result (pain and death). If sin was to show up in our lives as it truly is, we would never let sin into our lives. But you can liken sin to a wolf in sheeps clothing.

Sin will destroy your life if you allow it to come in, therefore it is vital that we are able to discern when sin is knocking at the door. This ability to discern is vital to our salvation so that we can determine when sin is before us. But how do we gain this ability? Spend time in the Lords word and pray for discernment, for God wants to fill us wisdom as was the case with Solomon in 1 King 3. He asked the Lord for the ability to discern, rather than asking for riches and good health and the Lords reply was as follows in 1 King 3:10-13

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.

See how great our God is! Solomon had only asked for discernment, but God delivered far beyond what he had asked.

We will face sin in our lives, this cannot be avoided. The devil will send things before us that look appealing. We will be tempted continually throughout our walk with God. But we need not worry, for we have the love and grace of God on our lives and He will strengthen us up, giving us wisdom so that when temptation comes to us, we dont let it in, we dont fall victim to the devil's traps.

Temptation will come to us in many ways. If we are not aware of this and are prepared, it is very dangerous to our salvation. Therefore its essential to immerse yourself in Gods word so that you are protected from the devils plans to see us fail. We must pray for discernment and wisdom. But the great thing is we have the Holy Spirit living within us, giving us the wisdom of God so that we can discern what is sin. We must learn to be consistent in our actions, always being an example of God's grace. This is highlighted by Jesus in Luke 21:14-15 -

But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.