Joel M Bradshaw

1Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. 2For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. 3The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. 4He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil.-Psalm 36

I oversee support groups at my church. This morning the purity support groups came to mind. We have a great team of men leading the men’s purity group and a wonderful team of women leading the women’s purity group. And one of the subjects discussed is the inside-out war that is the purity struggle. King David–no stranger to the purity issue–described how sin leads us.

1. SIN GIVES EXCUSES. It teaches us to rationalize our behavior. If we hide the Bible deep within us, then we have a competing voice that the Holy Spirit directs our conscience to use. Our natural response is to listen to our selfish excuses. You deserve this, sin says,
2. SIN MOTIVATES AND PROMISES. Sin flatters us. This is not that bad, sin says. Others are far worse than you, sin reassures. You can do this and still hide from everyone, sin promises. You’ll never be found out, sin speaks deep within.
3. SIN ENCOURAGES US TO MAKES PLANS. Nobody ever stumbles into an addiction. Once we are trapped it consumes our thoughts. We plan the next fix. We long for the next time. Even when we finish one time and hate ourselves for a bit, we soon long for the one thing we tell ourselves will make us feel better again.
4. SIN TRAPS. We are thus caught in that vicious cycle of putting bandaids on deep wounds and thinking it will help. We hide and pursue selfishness and then hate ourselves. My goodness, the answer to self-hatred is not further sinful self-love. That’s what gets addicts trapped to begin with!

I recall a season of my life when I was addicted and trapped. I listened to the excuses and felt reassured by the motivations. I hid my sin and thought I could manage the shame. I was trapped. Sin had led me in the worst way. My only path out was to admit I had a problem and to intentionally submit to Jesus as my Higher Power. I needed accountability and so I submit to it with men I trust. I sought help rather than seeking to hide. If you are trapped, find a support group. Talk with your pastor. Join Celebrate Recovery on a weekly basis. Sin is serious about how it desires to lead you. Be serious back.–JMB