Sin Becomes A Habit

Have you noticed how much easier it is to commit a sin the second time? The first sin weakens our consciences, making it easy to make sin a habit. Seeking God*s will and staying in it is a far better habit. When we obey Him once the next time it becomes easier.

Jeremiah 10:23: O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Isaiah 30:1: Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:

Adding sin to sin is a horrible habit. The first bad habit is a failure to seek God*s counsel. Without His counsel, many other bad habits will follow. Some definitions of the word counsel: advice; (by implication) plan, prudence, advisement or purpose. We need God*s advice, plan, prudence and purpose in every decision we make. Jeremiah, Isaiah, Solomon and Ezra knew that they needed God*s advice, plan, prudence and purpose. Do we know that? Are we wise enough to want it? Do we seek it? Do we ask for it?

1 Kings 3:7: And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

Ezra 8:21: Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

The counsel of God is found first of all in the Bible. The more we study the Bible and the principles it teaches the less we will sin.

2 Timothy 3:16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Psalms 119:11: Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

The Bible will teach us the doctrines and to live by. The better we know those doctrines, the more we will be able to make right decisions our habit.

James 1:5: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Until we know the Bible very well for ourselves we desperately need the teachers that God provides. Believers who do not study the Bible for themselves AND avoid God*s teachers by avoiding church will be the most carnal and the most miserable believers. If we study the Bible for ourselves, God will make us teachers too. A great situation is to be a Bible teacher who has other Bible teachers.

Ephesians 4:11: And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Proverbs 27:17: Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Care to discuss Sin Becomes A Habit with Ron?

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