In the midst of this hot summer, I constantly find myself checking the forecasted temperature on my weather app. My wife and I love to go running after work, but the heat often hinders those plans. As much as we love running and being outdoors, that blazing summer sun forces us to reconsider.
When checking the forecasted heat on your weather app, did you know that you can see what the temperature is within shaded areas? I personally prefer to run in the shade when the sun is shining bright; but I recently learned that the temperature in the shade is the exact same as the temperature in the sun.
Regardless if you’re running in the shade or running in the sun; you’ll always be under the same heat and in that same temperature.
I find this seemingly relevant. The last few years, the world has seen too many pastors, leaders, and devoted-Christians fall because of their sin and moral failure. Why? Well, just because you are in the shade does not mean you are exempt from the heat.
There is a common misperception that God’s salvation lessens or negates the presence of temptation and sin. Just because you have received God’s grace and have entered into a relationship with him does not exempt you from future sin nor rising temptation.
For this reason, we all must equip ourselves with the right mindset and with the right response when temptation arrives. Here are three practical steps to take when you find yourself blinded by the presence of sin:
- Confess it… Don’t Just Cover it.
When temptation approaches your sight or when sin arrives in your heart, the greatest relief is to unload the burden. Confession is more than just report of your mistakes; it’s an act of showing vulnerability into your heart.
Not only do we have a heavenly Father who desires to hear our confession of sin (Psalm 32:5), but you have spiritual brotherhood and sisterhood who desire to carry this burden with you (James 5:16).
Whether it be lying, stealing, gossip, lust, or worse; confess it to your Father and carry it with other believers.
- Kill it… Don’t Just Tame it.
Since I was a kid, I always had pets in the house. Never once did I ever think that my dog would ignore his trainings and attack me; but I would not be as confident if I had a pet tiger.
Carrying sin around in your life, while secretly attempting to tame it, is equivalent to caring for a pet tiger in your home. There may be times you are in control, but in a moment, sin can overcome and cause life-altering damage.
Therefore, bring your sin into the light so that the blood of Jesus can cleanse you from that sin (1 John 1:7). Why? Because even if you think you are in control of your sin, it’s actually your sin that is in control of you.
- Pursue Righteousness… Don’t just Ignore Sin.
Christians have learned that they can come really close to sinning without *actually* sinning. No matter how much you flirt with the temptations of sin, you are far from God if you are not pursuing righteousness.
Don’t just live the morally clean and ethically good life. Live a gospel-honoring and righteousness-pursuing life. There is no better response to sin and no better defense against temptation.
If anything, Christians are destined to face the temptation of sin vastly more because of the new perspective and the conviction of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 10:13). Therefore, prepare yourself and ready your heart for the schemes of the Devil; and when sin wins or darkness abounds in your heart, consider the prayer of King David from Psalm 51:
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin!”
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