Have you ever wondered how someone becomes a thief or even a killer? Most aren’t born that way. They grow into their life of crime one step at a time. A robber doesn’t start with a bank. He goes after Mom’s jewelry first or takes money from Dad’s wallet. Did you know most serial killers don’t kill humans first? They usually begin with animals and then work their way up to men or women.
Punish a family member when he steals
from you, and he might never steal again.
Colossians 3:5 tells us to Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. All these sins in this verse started out with another sin, usually pride. The more we get away with, the more confidence we build to do something worse.
A child’s first sin is usually a lie. Once they get away with it, the lies grow, and so do the sins.
Some don’t think of lying as being as bad as murder, but it’s just the beginning. Most drug users start off with cigarettes then go on to alcohol and marijuana. When that no longer suffices, they move to harder drugs. Adulterers seldom begin with the affair. It usually starts with a look, then talking, then a touch.
Get away with a “small” sin,
you might move on to larger ones
One step at a time. That’s how the devil gets hold of us. He tells us what we’re doing isn’t that bad. The checkout girl shouldn’t have given me back too much change. Besides, I don’t have time to return a dollar the store will never miss. Justification is one of Satan’s favorite tools. But if we sin once and get away with it, we’ll sin again.
Small steps lead to larger sins.
_________________________________
The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love, and in order to occupy and distract himself without love he gives way to passions and coarse pleasures, and sinks to bestiality in his vices, all from continual lying to other men and to himself. – Fyodor Dostoyevsky
_________________________________
All Christians will sin. And most of us know deep inside what we’re doing is wrong. The difference is between those who justify their actions and those who repent.
We must do our best to guard against any type of sin, whether we consider them large or small. And if we do sin, recognize it for what it is. Not just for our relationship with Jesus Christ, but for those who might be watching us as well. Too many people turn from God because Christians don’t behave very Christian-liked. I don’t want to be one of those who talks the talk without walking the walk.
How about you?
If you or someone you know is in need of prayer this week, please leave a comment. We’d be more than happy to pray for you. And if this post moved you in some way, please feel free to share it.
Sign up to receive my quarterly newsletter at http://bit.ly/2obgc53.
