Challenged To Win

25 – SIN – CTW-2022-E

 

25 – SIN – CTW-2022-E

CHALLENGED TO WIN by Gregory Fernandez

Chapter 25 – SIN

If a boat has ten holes and nine have plugs, the vessel is unsafe until the last hole has a plug. If only nine out of the ten holes have stoppers, the ship may float longer and go further, but eventually, it will sink.   Sin unsettles the emotion and causes the marriage to strain.   Sometimes to breaking point.   That is why this rather long and philosophical chapter is necessary.

PROVERBS 1:7

7 “THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE.”   

 

What is Fear of the Lord?

PROVERBS 8:13

13 “THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS TO HATE EVIL. Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.” 

Many writers on marriage books tend to skip the chapter on SIN because they feel it is too complicated for the ordinary reader.   They fear that a chapter on Sin may sound ‘Old Fashion’ in today’s world.   Maybe the writers or the publishers fear it will hamper the book’s marketability.   I do not have any of these concerns because I am willing to call a spade a spade.   Secondly, I have no publishers to listen to – My book is an act of love and thanksgiving to God for having rescued us from the misfortunes of a broken marriage.   My children are grown up, well and without a separated childhood.   My wife and I have had the honour and privilege of stewarding the children God gave us and enjoying them through different stages in their lives.   God has also given us the satisfaction of seeing our children in universities and the chance to enter the career opportunity of ‘their choice’.

 

Some try to sweep this topic under the rug and hope that a reasonable effort and simple patchwork will bring the marriage back to stability.   I do not think so.   The veneer will crack when the subsequent trial and tribulation comes along, and the unhealed cause will resurface with greater discontentment.   The other detrimental component it will bring is an escalation of “HOPELESSNESS”, even to try again.

 

SIN finds its root in the “EMOTIONAL” dimension of man, what the Bible calls or refers to as the “HEART.”   It is an inseparable dimension of man.   Please see Chapter 6 – SOME EXPLANATIONS.

 

There are traits when it comes to sin; broadly speaking, these traits can fall under categories like:

1. Personal Traits. – A person may have a trait, weakness, or susceptibility.
2. Change in Personal Circumstances- Transitions in life, Old age, Relocation, Promotion, Lay-offs, Health, In-Laws, Friends.
3. Time Prevalent Trait. – At a particular time in history, certain sins were more common.
4. Circumstance-Induced Traits- Certain factors like war, famine, and calamity bring out the prevalence of sin.

National Traits.   – Countries can manifest certain distinct sinful tendencies during a specific period.

5. In some countries, Corruption is rampant; in others, bribery; in others, violence; in other countries, promiscuity etc.

 

JAMES 4:7

7 “THEREFORE SUBMIT TO GOD.   RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU.”   

So, when looking at sins, it is essential not to be judgmental because people experience sin difficulties that may differ from the type we are experiencing.   There are enough sin options to test each person in their unique way.   If we do not face a temptation like what we hear about, we should thank God.

When a person finds that their marriage has broken down, it sets many kinds of searches:

 

This chapter and the next chapter, “THOUGHTS, THINKING AND IMAGINATION”, attempt to help understand what SIN is and why we fall into Sin.

SIN is the action that results out of THOUGHT. 

FIRST SEARCH is the search to find out what caused the breakdown.   And to try and fit it into our understanding. Then, in bewilderment, the couples ask themselves, is this happening to me?”

 

The SECOND search is to find out solutions and remedies.

 

Finding answers to these two main questions causes people to go from place to place.   They go to family, friends; priests; nuns; counsellors, etc.

 

It is interesting to note the typical difference between a man and a woman while they discuss with all these various people.   His objective is to FIND REASONS.   The woman, on the other hand, CRIES.   It is the same problem, couple, and situation, but one is trying to “feel” the complication with his HEAD, and the other is trying to “express” the worry with her HEART.     These FIND REASONS and CRYING are typical of misarranged mechanics because it would have been more appropriate to feel with the heart and express with the head.   But then, under crises, these differences are typical to the gender.

 

When this behaviour happens ­, accept it.   As a point of argument, it would not be proper to tell the wife, “You cried all over”, or to say to the husband, “You spoke about our problem to other people.   You went about our problem just like it was in your office brainstorming sessions.”   We must remember that behaviour is typical of the sexes.

 

It is correct to find solutions to our problems.   Reading books and talking with friends, family, priests, nuns, and counsellors is all right. But then, we must do something.   There is a lot of truth in the saying, “God helps those who help themselves.”  What often happens is that people get a lot of help from friends, family, priests, nuns, counsellors etc.; they get relief from speaking; they get consolation and encouragement.

 

It is necessary to watch out because two main points are very often either missed out (or it is said so ineffectively that it has no impact whatsoever), they are:

 

1. THE WAY TO THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM IS GOD ­. It is not the friend, priest, nun, or counsellor. People who help us only perform a supporting role.   God is the ultimate healer. 

2.  REPENT

POINT 1.  THE WAY TO THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM IS GOD. 

In situations that are too hot to handle, we always try to come to other people’s wavelength, correct?   The modalities that can happen are, perhaps without consciously knowing it, PEOPLE PLAY DOWN THE POWER OF PRAYER AND PLAY UP INTELLECTUAL REASONINGS.   PEOPLE PLAY DOWN THE POWER OF PRAYER AND PLAY UP THE INTELLECTUAL REASONINGS; even more, the case when they see the counselling person is well educated.   By working exclusively on the intellectual level, the focal point is not conveying where to direct one’s efforts to the couple.   THE FOCAL POINT OF HELP IS GOD AND GOD ALONE.   It is not intellect; it is not money ­. People who have reached the stage of seeking outside help have tried all those avenues and failed.    What they are seeking is not another experiment.    They seek a solution, and that solution is God ­; the advisor must communicate this point effectively.   To bring God effectively means to tell the person or the couple the following:

 

POINT 2.  REPENT

(1)        Repent for all your sins and ask God’s forgiveness.

 

 

(2)        Ask them to surrender themselves to God.   Surrender calls for childlike faith in God, to trust and love Him like He is their Father and they are His children.

 

(3)        They should ask God to help them and show them the way.

 

 

If these three points are not conveyed and grasped in totality, there is no chance for a complete or lasting solution.

 

The subsequent examination is the area of sin.

Hardly anyone feels comfortable talking about sin; even fewer people want to hear about it.   It seems to have become such an old fashion word to use nowadays; hardly any wonder people have such a scanty idea about sin.   The world is going through a phase where the definition of SIN is brainwashed to us as – fashionable and acceptable for human behaviour, and the Guilt of Sin is consequently covered up.   The God-given inner ‘Sword of Conscience’ is being hammered into bluntness by bad media.  And groups within the society are drifting away from God’s commandments.   We are, in effect, being put to the challenge all our life; we must exercise CHOICE; we must CHOOSE – By our own God-given FREE WILL.   We can choose the way of the flesh and momentarily enjoy the slippery-slide ride.   – The end is destruction.   OR we can select the arduous, uphill, narrow road leading to salvation.   People who are unwilling to listen to God and God’s teaching will sooner or later find themselves swept in the maelstrom of confusion down the ‘Slippery-Slide to Destruction’; they will not even have the ‘thought reflexes’ to choose anymore.

 

The reason why it is essential to know about sin is that it is a transgression against God. So it stands clear that if we want to develop a successful relationship with God, we must reject sin.   We cannot have God in some part of our life, like at home, and tolerate sin in another part of our life, like our business.   Yet, in different ways, we make allowances to try to let evil co-exist.   How does this happen?

 

(a)        We talk ourselves into saying that these aspects are not sins but essential to day-to-day life.   This thinking centres around condoning corruption, bribes, and bribing, only to mention a few.   Like all Sin, this area also starts small but has the potential to get bigger and more frequent until it becomes a usual way of life.   It becomes a habit.

 

(b)        In general, the man recognizes adultery as a sin.   But then he faces new pressures.   One of them is NOT to view this as a significant offence anymore.   The argument is that ­, after all, nobody is hurt, People are only enjoying themselves.   Slyly new words have come into being to soften the harshness of reality.   For example, we hear comments like “Making love” to include adultery, and we come across words like “Being gay” to mean homosexuality.   This softening of terms has brought about a particular concept of mildness and harmlessness to sin.   Society falls for such remarks.    Hardly anyone speaks out and says to call it what it is.  They cannot say it is a ­ sin.   The scourge is so rampant that even educated Presidents of countries, and the Parliaments of so-called learned people, are willing to consider putting correct norms aside.   For false power, they are eager to be made into puppets.   They pass bills with morally corrupt outcomes.    We see that education is not a hedge against falling into sin.   Temptation can advance in more sophisticated ways and address well-educated people.

 

(c)        Another prevalent technique is compartmentalizing various sins into a science of one kind or another.   We find some excuses to make a place for wrongdoing under the respectability of behavioural science, psychology, medicine, traditions, customs etc.

 

(d)        We have also become too complacent to think about sin.   So, if we do not think about sin, the result is that we can carry on without feeling guilty.   This casualness implies that we are in no position to examine our faults or ourselves and, consequently, in no proper place to correct ourselves simply because we do not know what to rectify.   Therefore, it is not surprising that we have the great misconception that we are GOOD and that all our faults are small and insignificant.   We may even imagine that we have a genuine relationship with God.   And as an argument, we say to ourselves, “We go to Church regularly”, or “We pray regularly.”

 

Surprisingly, the next great misconception is that we think all sins and faults are principally a part of the spouse, and these faults must be set right. So, they take it upon themselves to say,” I have to understand and somehow put the spouse right.”   It is worth keeping in mind that the most remarkable journey we make is our travel from “Birth to Salvation.”   And on this journey, we will encounter many pitfalls to deter our progress.   THESE PITFALLS ARE SINS.   A vast number of them are directly or indirectly the cause of a marriage breaking down.   While it is true that the spouse is not perfect, it is also undeniably true that we have many areas of imperfection.   All of us are susceptible to Sin.    Even a just man sins many times.

 

If we want to search for the areas where we can fall, we should go beyond the broad heading of simply saying ‘Sin’. Instead, we should be specific and call the various sins by name.   Here is an alphabetically arranged list.

 

This list will surprise most people because they think of grave offences under “SIN”.   SIN is “Leading one away from God.”   The method may be grave or a simple distraction that leads us away from God.   It may appear so trivial that we may be apt to regard it as human imperfections rather than willful offences.   That is the most effective disguise and camouflage the devil uses on us.   Human flaws are what he likes us to believe.   The Sin List is:

(1)  Absentmindedness

(2)  Anger

(3)  Avoiding the cross (suffering)

(4)  Being annoyed

(5)  Busyness

(6)  Conceit ­ (Vanity)

(7)  Cowardice

(8)  Criticizing ­ (Judging)

(9)  Curiosity

(10)  Desire for attention or reorganization

(11)  Disbelief (discouragement)

(12)  Disobedience

(13)  Disrespect

(14)  Egoism

(15)  Envy

(16)  Greed (craving)

(17)  Hypocrisy

(18)  Impatience

(19)  Indifference (Lukewarmness) (Lukewarmness is the devil in disguise)

(20)  Ingratitude

(21)  Reconciliation (bitterness)

(22)  Jealousy

(23)  Love for power

(24)  Lust

(25)  Lying (Secretiveness)

(26)  Mercilessness (hard-heartedness)

(27)  Mistrust

(28)  Pleasing people (Conformity, Bribery)

(29)  Pride ­ (haughtiness)

(30)  Quarrelsomeness (dissension)

(31)  Rebellion

(32)  Repression (suppression)

(33)  Ridicule (scoffing)

(34)  Selfishness ­ (stinginess)

(35)  Self-pity

(36)  Self ­ righteousness (Self-justification)

(37)  Self will

(38)  Slander (gossip)

(39)  Softness ­ (laziness)

(40)  Talkativeness ­ (gossip)

(41)  Touchiness

(42)  Un- lovingness

(43)  Unreliability

(44)  World love ­ (Bondage to people and things of this earth)

(45)  Worry ­ (anxiety)

 

The list mentioned above works in the area of one’s emotions.   The above sins develop in “HEART” or the “SEAT of EMOTION.”   We have a control dimension to this area called the WILL.   We can control the “WILL” of the emotion by commanding the THOUGHT to “GO AWAY”, or we can let it “LINGER.”   If we WILL (to order) it away, that is CORRECT.

 

If we let it linger, it will gradually pass to the “MIND.”  The Mind is the “SEAT of One’s ANALYTICAL and MEMORY.”   The “THOUGHT” is then matched up with data in the memory and analyzed.   The “THOUGHT” data may go through several Runs and Re-runs. But, even at this stage, SIN can be “Willed away”.

 

If we let THOUGHT linger, it will result in THINKING in the MIND.

 

The MIND working with IMAGINATION can self-perpetuate even after the thought materials are no longer available.

 

If SIN is not WILLED AWAY, the MIND gradually passes the SIN DESIRES to the “BODY.”  

 

The body then uses various means to create “ACTION.”   This action gives rise to breaking the items mentioned in the 10 Commandments, like Blasphemy, Murder, Stealing, Cheating, etc.

 

The purpose of this book is not to elaborate on the details of these sins.  So, we will confine ourselves to this listing out of the headings.   Most sins not mentioned here would fall within at least one title, often under more than one heading.

 

We must examine our failings and weakness.   This list is to determine the situation.  As the saying goes, it is easier to shoot if you know where the target is.

 

This list also brings up another important point: our conception of words like busyness, worry, anxiety, touchiness, and absent-mindedness. Yet, we seldom think of these as sins. Instead, we categorize them as emotions or reactions to a feeling.

 

If someone were to tell us that Absent-mindedness is a sin, we would be surprised.   The sin of absent-mindedness is being so preoccupied with our day-to-day work, like the absent-minded professor, that we forget to give God his due respect.     As a result, we neglect our prayer life to our God, our Maker and Provider.

 

We put WORRY and ANXIETY in a harmless category. Through these sins, we doubt God’s unfailing concern for us.   We forget about His Almightiness.   We wonder whether something will happen to us behind God’s back, maybe that He won’t know about it or get wind of it after it is too late.

 

Our first and most important relationship is US WITH GOD.   It is hardly any wonder that we camouflage all sins concerning this relationship; much modern jargon and terms indicate and label these sins as “not sins” and head them under science subjects.   It is even less wonder that the world points to solutions under the banner of Psychiatry, Drugs, Pills, Escape attitude, Fortune tellers, Astrologers, and the like.   We are too disillusioned to see these things as sins and too preoccupied in our search for worldly remedies, so we do not think of turning to an almighty God and improving our relationship with Him.

 

If we ask people whether they have turned to God in their problems, a lot may tell you how they have increased their church-going activities, that they light candles and say one prayer or another. However, ritual practices are not a genuine relationship.   Because THE TRUE RELATIONSHIP IS FROM THE HEART.   IT IS TO SEEK GOD’S WILL IN AND FOR OUR LIFE. So instead, what they are (in an un-informed way) trying to achieve with all their prayer and candles, is to try and make God a Slot ­ Machine.

 

We need to have a genuine FATHER-CHILD RELATIONSHIP with God.

 

Then there are sins like anger, annoyance, and impatience assigned to the stress reactions of life.   Stress indeed brings these reactions out.   But anger, annoyance, and impatience are sins all the same.

 

1. We put the whole sin concept skillfully and conveniently as a behaviour reaction.

 

1. And hardly anyone questions its position there.

 

We are talking about stress.   Why is there stress? Is it not because we have set our worldly goals so high that we are constantly propelling ourselves towards more and still more?  We are chasing a perishable crown, as St. Paul describes in 1 CORINTHIANS 9:25.   Yet, despite all our knowledge and understanding, we do not want to slacken the pace.

25 AND EVERYONE WHO COMPETES FOR THE PRIZE IS TEMPERATE IN ALL THINGS. NOW THEY DO IT TO OBTAIN A PERISHABLE CROWN, BUT WE FOR AN IMPERISHABLE CROWN.

On the contrary, we would rather amass more and let life pass by us.   We would instead acquire more stress than settle for fewer acquisitions.   Now, whose fault is that? Indeed, we cannot blame society for that! Nor can we blame God for that.   We alone are responsible for this sin, just as we are for all other sins we commit.

 

We must look at the list and ourselves before looking at the spouse.

It is necessary to take another good look at the list because we see that all these sins apply to marriage in some way or another. But, of course, they apply to other areas of our lives.

 

To summarize: We have seen that there is something called sin.   We have seen that it is silly to rationalize it away under some fancy jargon or relocate it elsewhere.   We have seen that it is detrimental to our salvation.   We have also noticed that we can fall into all kinds of sins.   Therefore, we are called to a constant and ongoing struggle to overcome sin.   We now have to discuss another important topic, which is TEMPTATION.

 

Temptation is crucial because it is the introduction between SELF AND SIN.   It is also the continuous interface between Self and Sin – until sin has enslaved the Self.   Therefore, our first and foremost struggle is to avoid temptation so that Sin cannot enter our life.   We should train our Spiritual Reflexes to stop tricks dead in their tracks.   The best method we have is:

 

JAMES 4:7-8

7 “THEREFORE SUBMIT TO GOD.   RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU.   

8 DRAW NEAR TO GOD, AND HE (GOD) WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU.”

 

If we do not do that, the dynamics of temptation are alluring.

There are many alluring sides of temptation, and we cannot describe them all, but here are a few itemized points.

 

TEMPTATION is:

1. Tricky; subtle; very appealing.
2. A master of disguise and deceptions.
3. Highly variable and adaptable to the individual’s time, place, or frame of mind.
4. Always suggestive; never commanding; patient, skilful, cunning, resourceful.
5. Persistent; persuasive.
6. Result-oriented.
7. Discourages it is challenging to prevent.
8. Momentarily rewarding.
9. Instils momentary relief.
10. Always give the impression that the self is more robust than temptation.
11. Its success is never jarring but always appealing to the self.

 

With this whole battery of attributes, it achieves phenomenal results.    Let us examine two cases:

 

1. Lucifer was an Archangel ­, meaning Angel of light. A supreme being living in Heaven and seeing God face to face.   PRIDE tempted him, and he succumbed. In that instant, Hell happened, and the fallen angels were there.

 

Jesus says so in LUKE 10:18, 

18 “I SAW SATAN FALL LIKE LIGHTENING FROM HEAVEN.”

 

b) In the book of Genesis, we see another remarkable case. The devil, disguised as a serpent, tempted Eve.   (It is well worth mentioning that the horror man has for snakes became instinctive at that moment).   The Bible tells us that God took walks with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day, so He was close to them.   They knew God face to face, and despite this closeness, the temptation could enter Eve.   Temptation went on to devastate Adam.   The temptation was also “used” against Adam’s cherished and only companion to work its fiendish exploit.   These tricks are no different from the destruction that can cause strife in our marriages today.   Falling into temptation sets husband against wife and wife against husband.

 

The point to consider is that if humans in such an elevated position could fall, how much more susceptible are we? Indeed, our awareness or closeness to God does not match Adam’s or Eve’s.

 

Another thing we must realize is that our temptations are unique and in tune with our thinking and preferences.  Temptation is tailor-made to fit us.   The Temptations that entice others may have no appeal to us.    We may be disgusted with them, but that does not say anything.    We face the unique settings that cause us to stumble.   Combined with deception, this feature makes it imperative that we be constantly alert.

 

When Jesus’ disciples asked Him, Teach us to Pray.   He taught them the ‘OUR FATHER’ called ‘THE LORD’S PRAYER’. So then, depending on whose Gospel you read, either St. Matthew or St. Luke, we see that Jesus composed an invocation with ten or eleven Sentences, each containing an article of prayer.

 

In this prayer, Jesus taught us to say, “­­­­­ AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION” this alone is a clear indication of how lethal temptation is.   There are only 11 or 10 sentences, and out of all the things necessary to be prayed about, Jesus Himself considered it essential to pray against temptation.

 

Let us examine one area of temptation about which so-called church-going people tend to be sly and secretive.   That is the area of horoscope, astrology, and other related occult practices.   If we ask people about this, they will stoutly deny them.   Among other things, they regard these practices as:

 

(a)        Weak-mindedness, and

 

(b)        Weak faith in God

 

Nobody likes to be considered weak, and certainly not in these two areas, so people practice a lot of hypocrisy and secretiveness.   There are many ways by which people fall into this sin.   The most accessible, inconspicuous area of temptations comes from the newspapers and magazines ­ in the form of Horoscopes or what the stars foretell.   I am not saying that the newspapers or magazines consult the occult Practitioners. Instead, they may have a collection of “Rubber Paragraphs.”   These Rubber Paragraphs will suit any and every person.   These they swap around the various signs of the Zodiac, knowing fully well that hardly anyone will cross-refer.   It is not what they do.   IT IS WHAT WE DO AND OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD IT.  OUR CONSULTATION MAKES IT A SIN FOR US OR NO SIN FOR US.

 

It is interesting to note that various publishers have experimented after a series of public opinion polls.   The Newspapers left these columns out because they did not want to give the impression that they cater to a ‘weak-minded’ circle of readers.   They were surprised at how their sales dropped.   They were still more astonished that their customers started patronizing publications that retained these horoscope columns.   Ladies and Gentlemen, we are talking about the 21^st. Century.

 

(a)        This revealed a clear indication that people’s opinions of the outside world may not always coincide with the thought they maintain in secret.   Many rely on these columns in limited ways for their day-to-day decisions.   Without this crutch, they feel helpless and insecure.   At first, it was not a crutch, but eventually, it became one.

 

(b)        For things beyond the ‘run of the mill’ course of actions and decisions. However, there is an urge to turn to a higher power level.   It is a basic human urge as old as man himself.   Even the self-proclaimed atheist believes in it ­ He calls it ‘Luck’ because he cannot use any other more popular terminology.

 

The person who falls into any of the above categories is easily prey to temptation.

The step beyond newspaper horoscopes is to satisfy Curiosity about past or future events through consultations such as palm reading, crystal ball gazing, fortune ­ telling etc. Again, there are a wide variety of practices.   Surprisingly, so many different things exist in this area.

 

The consultation of any one of these practitioners is, in clear text, A SIN AGAINST THE FIRST COMMANDMENT.   In the First Commandment, God inscribed,

 

EXODUS 20:2-3

2 “I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHO BROUGHT YOU OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT AND OUT OF THE HOUSE OF BONDAGE? 

3 THERE SHALL BE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME.”   

 

By resorting to these practices, one turns to an Evil force for answers to one’s questions or solutions to one’s problems.   Furthermore, the greedy ones use it to acquire power or possession. Therefore, we must remember that one is not merely turning to the medium (i.e., the Astrologer, card reader etc.); one is turning directly to the evil force.   The person who allows himself into this trap or position is:

(1)        Guilty of rejecting God is a major sin, and seeking an evil force amplifies the SIN enormously.

 

(2)        The person runs a severe risk of being enslaved into the evil power’s clutches.    And this bondage is burdensome to unshackle.

 

Several quacks, fakes, and con artists masquerading as mediums; are after money.   But, if the medium is genuine, the person is in deep trouble.   And there is little way for a layperson to tell the difference between a fake and a medium.   The medium gets powers from the evil one by consenting to a contract with the evil force.   This occult power is not a partial contract; it outright sells the soul to the devil.   The distressed or curious victim seeks this knowledge or favours of these powers.   Because of this curiosity, the victim has also agreed to the medium’s contract.   In other words, the victim becomes a kind of co-signatory to the medium’s agreement.   With the devil, nothing is for FREE; he will give you material possession, even power, but his Price Tag is ultimate, YOUR IMMORTAL SOUL,

 

There is another contract that the medium makes with the evil force, making other souls fail.   So the medium always tries to increase the level of Spiritual Bondage.   The price is the immortals’ souls for his diabolic decorations.   He is greedy enough to want it at all costs.   Greed was one of the main factors that brought him into the contract, and desire would like him to move higher in the evil ranks.   In all wicked obsessions, man becomes spiritually blind.     And moving higher in the hierarchy becomes an obsession.

 

In such consultation, two types of situations can arise as far as the victim is concerned:

 

(1)        They consult a sinful medium.

–    The result is they broke the 1st Commandment, which is SIN.

­    And becomes a victim of spiritual bondage.

 

 

(2)        They land up with a fake

–    The victim may not get into spiritual bondage.

–    They have broken the 1^st Commandment ­, which is Sin, which in turn brings spiritual bondage.

 

The 1st Commandment is the HIGHEST FORM OF SIN because it is the commandment against GOD HIMSELF.

 

Despite all the intellect and modern highheadedness that man possesses, he is still very vulnerable to falling into this sin. So let us look at the temptations that engage a person’s thoughts.   Some people are those with the following:

 

(a)        Mixed ideas of whether this area is SIN or not.

 

(b)        Others feel there may be something to it but always want to believe it is harmless.

 

(c)        Others want to consider it a plaything, a party game; an amusement; or a souvenir from one’s travels.   Finding answers may be supported with or without a charm or talisman or wanting to experience the thrill of having one’s hand read or have cards read.

 

Many of the people well known for scoffing at such practices are foreigners from western countries.   Yet many travel great distances, putting up with many hardships in lesser-developed countries to find solutions.   Many have come fully equipped with names and addresses of people in this occult or pseudo-occult practice.   Many of them say they have made numerous calls to obtain these addresses.   It is astonishing how much effort they make, which in a way, only goes to confirm man’s inclination to search for supernatural powers.   It also demonstrates how a person gives one impression and secretly has another.   People seeking wrong, unnatural power is universal; it has nothing to do with race or nationality.   What is surprising is that many of these people seeking consultation are businesspeople and intellectuals.   They are people who hold posts and positions.   If they were hippies, one could think differently about their search.

 

(d)        There are others, however, who are seriously attempting to find a solution to their problems, invariably, these people feel they have tried everything and failed to bring a lasting solution, so in stupidity, they explore the occult. Of course, Jesus Christ is the one way to solve their problems, but that is what they are unwilling to consider.

 

The first three categories, namely a, b, and c, relate to those confused about what is sin and what is not.   It also includes silly adventure ­ seekers behaving like overgrown school children who want to brag.

 

The fourth category, namely the (d) above, is distinctly different:

 

Concerning the fourth category, I do want to say more because this is an area where one may fall while searching for a solution to a marital problem.

 

–           For one thing, a person of the fourth category has no confusion about what is SIN and what is not sin concerning these practices.

 

–           They are resistant and open enough to reject these practices in private or public.

 

–           They are relatively “well” equipped with the church’s teachings.   They agree to and follow their faith because they are convinced.   Family background and traditions have helped in the formation.   By their reasoning, they are fully confident about the church’s teachings and have followed the church with their desire to follow God.

–           All church commandments, teachings; customs; services are followed with love and loyalty.

–           When these people fall, there is nothing impulsive.   On the contrary, much careful thought went in before they even allowed someone to bring up such a subject.   And are some cases, even after a lot of prayers. So, the question is, how could these people fall?

 

HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

Temptation did the trick.

Let us look at some of the dynamics of such a temptation.   To begin with, the person feels spiritually weak because all his effort seems to be failing, which is when temptation makes its move.

–           The temptation was highly tailor-made; it never jarred against one’s religious beliefs.   There are no suggestions not to pray because it knows what effective prayer is and what is not.   The devil knows how to make temptation work for everyone.   Recitation of words is not prayer.   Going to church is not a relationship with God.   It may be a loyal duty, but it is not a “FATHER ­ CHILD” relationship.   In short, the devil has a far better knowledge of God, spirituality, holiness, etc., than we do.

 

­           Temptation’s movement is imperceptible.

 

–           Temptation always works alongside ­ slowly steering one off course. Misdirection is a unique trait.  Temptation always gives the person the feeling that the person is in control and command.  But it knows “How” to suggest other appealing yet sinful ways.

 

–           Temptation works through a confident ­ a person to whom one will listen.   And another person prompted this person.   And this person is from yet another person. So, this reference chain creates credibility.

 

–           The suggestion is subtle, “You have tried all kinds of things, and there is no harm in trying this.   After all, there is nothing to lose; at the most, you can solve your marriage problem. ”

 

–           It is supportive; many good people have found tremendous satisfaction and relief.   None of them gave up their religion.   See Mr. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .   or Mrs. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  they had problems, coming here solved it.

–           It is further supportive; many priests also come here.   (It may be a gross lie ­, but then we should know that the devil is the father of lies and the medium is only his mouthpiece).

 

JOHN 8:44

44 YOU ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL, AND THE DESIRES OF YOUR FATHER YOU WANT TO DO. HE WAS A MURDERER FROM THE BEGINNING, AND DOES NOT STAND IN THE TRUTH, BECAUSE THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. WHEN HE SPEAKS A LIE, HE SPEAKS FROM HIS OWN RESOURCES, FOR HE IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF IT.

–           It is explanatory; there is much knowledge in the world.   Scripture writes,

 

GENESIS 2:17

17 “BUT OF THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL YOU SHALL NOT EAT, FOR IN THE DAY THAT YOU EAT OF IT YOU SHALL SURELY DIE.”   

 

Temptation explains that priests and religions suppressed it because they wanted people to listen only to them, even though they were concupiscent. After all, priests and nuns get teachings about the 1^st Commandment.   It establishes a chain of reference.   This approach does not work or approach as a brash outsider with no regard for religion.   Because then they would be snubbed straight in their tracks.

 

Example of the devil’s suggestions:

–           It is flattering: “But see! You can see knowledge in it ­ how many others have the intelligence to grasp it?”

­           It is directive: “Go to that place ­ that man can do it.   You do not have to go on a wild-goose chase anymore.”

–           It puts one’s fears at rest: “No doubt bad spirits are causing all the trouble, and that is why a good spirit has to be used to drive away the evil spirits.”

–           It is guilt soothing: “See the holy pictures I have.   I pray every day (to whom?).    I go to all the churches.

 

People believe in having seen these crooked people distributing alms to beggars in the church compound.   When does this happen? It happens on days when people seeking petitions and favours offer devotional prayers like Novenas. These down-and-out people are soft ground for temptation.   The picture he shows may look like someone with long hair and olden-day clothes.   But is that the picture of Jesus or Our Lady? No ­, not at all.   It is only a kind of look-alike gimmick, which people mistake. The word gimmick does not sound truthful, so they use the words like “Artist Impression”. Regardless of the terms, the picture does not accurately represent the person in the picture.

 

As far as going to church, this is also not true; they only go to the church grounds when the service is over, looking for gullible souls.   None of them could stand inside the church where specific prayers are said.   They will not be able to remain in the church during the holiest parts of the Holy Mass.

 

Slowly, some unsuspecting person in difficulty begins to consider and then decides to try it.   And what happens?

­           He gets a high sense of satisfaction!

–           He feels the search is over.

–           He wonders how come nobody told him about it before.   He thinks: Surely it is precious; that is why it is so rare.

–           He looks around and hears many people, politicians, public celebrities, etc., resorts to these practices.   He wonders whether they know the secret of being successful while others are groping around in the dark.

–           He hears vast sects of people follow some form of the occult as a way of life.   Whole societies follow a matching horoscope before they marry their sons and daughters.   The list of such inner temptations is vast.   We must also remember that we are talking about the 20^th and 21^st. Century, in big cities.   There is nothing primitive about these people.

 

We are talking about how deceiving temptation can be.

 

ALL THOSE CONSULTATIONS ARE SINS.   The temptations must be appealing to grip us, and they must satisfy our needs or searching minds.   Remember the scripture saying, “The Tree of KNOWLEDGE” concept.   These pleasurable feelings should not miss us.   If we do not get rid of them, they will slowly begin to enslave us ­ it makes us want more and more.   It makes us addicted to it.   So be very clear and renounce them.

 

We also must be aware that when we renounce these Attachments, we will experience tremendous amounts of hardships because the devil is enraged that we are turning away from his clutches. Therefore, he uses his favourite weapons like DISCOURAGEMENT to prevent our efforts.   If you are aware of this tactic, you will not be surprised.   And you can call on God to help you in your struggle, to break away from these malicious attachments.

 

There are many forms of intellectual SINS, and still, more are joining this category daily.   Even marriage can become a victim of these intellectual traps.   They can exert tremendous leverage to split couples.   Some of them are:

 

(1)        Gossip Stories in Magazines.

 

(2)        Special legal sections in Magazines like YOUR RIGHTS.

 

(3)        Some Films and Magazines give step-by-step advice on splitting up.

 

(4)        Many Soap Operas on TV run year-long marital and extra-marital dirty linen-washing programs.   There are specialized programmers to cater to the unique need of adults as well as separate ones for teenagers.   These programmers spend years of time and effort to make such actions acceptable in people’s thought processes.

 

(5)        some groups volunteer advice and assistance to enable separation and take action.

 

(6)        Some church-going hypocrites go around pandering to the philosophy, “If you cannot love it ­, leave it.”

And to back themselves up, they encourage people to get the church’s assistance to annul the marriage.

 

(7)        Then, of course, there are DIVORCE ­ LAWYERS.   For them breaking up a family is a ‘Lucrative Business”, both in cash and fame.   These are a group of highly trained scribes who feed and feast on the sorrow and heartaches of helpless people and little children.   These divorce lawyers are bright, intellectual minds going headlong to become advocates of splitting people instead of helping them patch up.   The prospect tempts them to put God aside in preference for money and fame.

 

These lawyers supply all the legal arguments and counterarguments needed.   They work professionally to achieve an irreversible split.   They skillfully manoeuvre their clients through the legal maze to inflict divesting emotional blows to their God-given Spouse.  The ground rule is, “Hit where it Hurts” or “Legally, Knock the spouse cold.”

 

Divorce lawyers are skilful in the following:

• They supply the venom to sting the Spouse’s Heart.
• They sharpen their client’s senses to bring gory details into the court, leaving nothing out.
• They are willing to train their clients to behave “Case Winning” in court.
• They run mock scenes to school them to withstand the onslaught of cross-examination and come out victorious.
• They train the person to trap the spouse in thought, word, and deed.
• They propagate the ideal and work towards completing the “Constellation of Factors” to induce DESPAIR or RECKLESSNESS in the client’s spouse.
• In short, they have become the devil’s very educated “Career Criminals.”

 

In short, it is an evil force that makes them behave like the absolute mean of the academic crowd. In addition, they also use their intellect to become the money-hungry scum of the educated world.

The way to solve a marital problem is PRAYER, not the courtroom.   The answers are not in the Law Book but in the BIBLE.

 

Let us look at the teaching that Jesus gives:

 

MATTHEW 19: 4-6

4  “AND HAVE YOU NOT READ THAT HE WHO MADE THEM AT THE BEGINNING ‘MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE! AND SAID,

5  FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.   

6  SO THEN, THEY ARE NO LONGER TWO BUT ONE FLESH.   THEREFORE WHAT GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER, LET NOT MAN SEPARATE.”

 

If God has said, let husband and wife not separate, then all these so-called advisers and lawyers are “Career Criminals.”

“Career Criminality and family distress”, though disguised, is often seen in the private lives of these Divorce Lawyers.   Looking behind all that wealth they may have, you see absolute chaos in their family lives.  ­ Whatever togetherness they have is artificial.   Still worse, the Lawyer may die with pomp and solemnity, but his family lives through hell in body, heart, and mind.   His children, and maybe grandchildren’s marriage, are a living hell.   Sadly, many innocent people suffer, including rank outsiders who marry into this family and have children and grandchildren.   People who break up a marriage incur curses.   That is why the parents must not Sin.    Instead, if you have a brilliant intellect, use it to help couples patch up.

­          Ask God to help you surrender your will to His so you can glorify God through your talents.

Our God is merciful; if we turn to Him, whatever our Sin or the Sins of our Fathers or forefathers, God will forgive us. So, we must ask God in humility and repentance to forgive our forefathers and us.

Suppose one has fallen into Sin; we do not lose completely.   Just cry out to God for help.   God hears such prayers.   God is merciful and is ever willing to redeem us.   For this reason, God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to pay the price of our redemption.   He atoned for our sins through His suffering and death on the cross. Therefore, one must make a total rejection of this sin.   ALL TALISMANS, CHARMS, BOOKS, INSCRIPTIONS ETC., ARE TO BE DESTROYED.   THE TRUST IN GOD HAS TO BE ABSOLUTE; THERE CAN BE NO KEEPING OF THESE CHARMS OR TALISMAN to supplement the good that God can do.   God does not need any of these objects to help Him.

Interestingly, somewhere in God’s infinite wisdom, He has considered it fit that we should ASK.   Even though God knows all our needs, He still requires us to ask.   In LUKE 11: 10 and MATTHEW 7:7, 

10 “JESUS SAYS, AND I SAY TO YOU, ASK AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU; SEEK AND YOU WILL FIND; KNOCK AND IT WILL BE OPEN TO YOU.”

Question:

Why does God still find it necessary, we ask?

It is because God gave Man FREEWILL.  God gave man FREEWILL, and He will not be ‘wishy-washy’.

 

LUKE 11: 10, and MATTHEW 7:7, are powerful prayer truths on HOW TO PRAY.

 

ASK – Expanded it is ASK – SEEK – KNOCK

ASK – This is the FIRST Level in prayer.

SEEK – This is the SECOND Level in prayer.

KNOCK – This is the THIRD Level in prayer.

 

—

 

ASK – Sometimes, God may not need to train your thinking extensively. Your request is simple.

For example: “Lord, help me get good marks in my examination.”

 

SEEK – Sometimes, God may need to train you to SEEK Him out and His Purpose in the seemingly trying situation.

For example, “Lord, what is your Will for Me? – Should I continue studying further or take up a job?”

 

KNOCK – Sometimes, God may need to train your thinking for something more complex.

For example, “Lord, what is your will to lead your people to the promised land? – I need your guidance every step of the way.  I do not even know what to ask you in advance.”

 

When Moses led the people through the desert, problems occurred daily. One day, the people were asking for water. On another day, they were telling Moses that in Egypt, they had cucumbers. On another day, they wanted meat.

So, for poor Moses, it was KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK again.

 

“Lord, today, I must KNOCK again because something new has cropped up.

For people in God’s Ministry, it is: to prepare a sermon Mass after Mass every Sunday. So it is: KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK again.

 

For people in counselling, it is: “What message do you want me to communicate?” Advising people goes on from person to person, one after another, the whole day. Very often, in experience areas where the counsellor has no previous knowledge.

So it is: KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK again.

When the breadwinner of a family loses their job, life must go on; bills still keep coming in.

 

So it is: KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK again.

—

 

This promise is not confined to us asking for ourselves alone. We can even ask for the release of a relative, friend, neighbour, or spouse from whatever ailments, sufferings, or bondage may befall them.   Praying for the well-being of others is called INTERCESSION.   WHEN WE INTERCEDE BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD FOR OUR FELLOW PERSON (S).   WE ACHIEVE TWOFOLD BLESSINGS ONE IS FOR SELF, AND THE OTHER IS FOR THE PERSON WHO PRAYS.

 

JOHN 14:14 reinforces the promise, where Jesus says,

14 “IF YOU ASK ANYTHING IN MY NAME I WILL DO IT.”

 

Of course, it stands to reason that what we ask for should be good.   We cannot expect God to do bad things just because we have asked in His Name.

 

In JOHN 15:16,

16 JESUS SAY, “WHAT EVER YOU ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME, HE WILL GIVE YOU.”

 

In MATTHEW 21:22, Jesus gives us the confidence to ask; He says,

22 “AND ALL THINGS WHAT EVER YOU ASK IN PRAYER, BELIEVING, YOU WILL RECEIVE.”

 

The point made here is that we should not fall into this sin.   But if we do, WE HAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT GOD WILL REDEEM US.   WE ONLY HAVE TO ASK AND TRUST IN GOD.   We must SURRENDER ourselves, our minds, hearts, and will to God and ask Him to establish a genuine ‘Father ­ Child’ relationship with us.   A relationship between God and a person must be personal.   With a deep sense of love.   If you do not feel like that, ­ Ask God to show you how you can love Him.   He will show you.   The most common illusion is the shallow relationships that we are inclined to believe correct are merely going to church and reciting a few prayers.   When we go to church and say our prayer, we should be clear that we are not doing so because of the following:

 

(a)        A force of habit alone.

(b)        Because it is a way of our lifestyle.

(c)        Because people consider it the right thing to do.

(d)        Because it gives a good self-image.

(e)        Because by it, we have fulfilled a church obligation or duty etc.

If we do not have a genuine love for God and a true desire to meet Him, as we would a dear friend, then our relationship quality needs to be improved.   Ask God to improve it.

A whole chapter has been written exclusively about sin.   If sin is so detrimental to our journey from birth to salvation, why has evil been allowed to exist? Would it not have been better to eradicate it? Wouldn’t that have been the safest and the best thing? Many people all down the centuries have asked this question.   We do not know the divine mind of God and why He wants it to be so.   Jesus Himself spoke about the question.   We read about this in MATTHEW 13: 24-30.

We must understand that Heaven is for the deserving.   We must overcome Sin.    Every time we overcome sin or God-allowed sufferings, we increase our heavenly bank balance with this form of divine currency.   The greater the evil we overcome, the greater the spiritual gain.   Every living person will encounter the complete list of sins mentioned in this chapter at some time or another.   They will have a whole life’s share of temptations towards them.   The trick to these sins will entice them into “Thought”, “Word”, or “Deed.”   Temptation does not shy away from anyone ­. Scripture records tell us how the devil attempted to tempt Jesus Himself.   The best-known example is the temptation in the wilderness.   For a full-length account, we can read MATTHEW 4, MARK 1 and LUKE 4.

 

Our life’s skills are to improve, recognize, avoid, and overcome temptation.   We must also be aware that we have a fallen nature that loves us to cling to personal sins.   Over these sins, we must constantly and continually gain mastery and put ourselves over sin.   WE CAN DO IT ONLY WITH GOD’S HELP.   Let us consider two relatively common personal Sins” ­ Anger and Impatience: There are situations bound to provoke us either to get angry or impatient, and we are human enough to fall.   The mastery we should gain is to improve our calmness.   Improving the calmness threshold does not mean keeping quiet when something is wrong is done ­ often; speaking out in love is the only correct thing to do.   Improving the calmness threshold means getting a grip on our inner feeling on what makes us boil inside.   Improving calmness could be of our areas of self-mastery.   The other part of Self-mastery is to push the sin of Anger or Irritation out of our system as quickly as possible.   Man’s in-built fallen nature likes to cling on and nurse these personal emotional sins.   Clinging on to these sins erodes us physically and mentally, and spiritually.   So, harbouring it is a sin.   We must gain mastery over banishing the sting of sins.

 

Technically speaking, the first mastery is to reject thoughts from the outside, and the second is clearing up remembrances from the inside.

 

If you have sinned, do not think that all is lost.   God is most eager to Save You.   He expects you to come to Him with a humble and contrite heart and ask for His forgiveness.

 

PSALMS 51:17

17 “THE SACRIFICE OF GOD ARE A BROKEN SPIRIT, A BROKEN AND CONTRITE HEART ­ THESE, O GOD, YOU WILL NOT DESPISE.”

 

PSALMS 51:7-11,  

7  “PURGE ME WITH HYSSOP, AND I SHALL BE CLEAN, WASH ME, AND I SHALL BE WHITER THAN SNOW,

8  MAKE ME TO HEAR JOY AND GLADNESS THAT THE BONES WHICH YOU HAVE BROKEN MAY REJOICE,

9  HIDE YOUR FACE FROM MY SINS, AND BLOT OUT ALL MY INIQUITIES.  

10  CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O GOD AND RENEW A STEADFAST SPIRIT WITHIN ME

11  DO NOT CAST ME AWAY FROM YOUR PRESENCE, AND DO NOT TAKE YOUR HOLY SPIRIT FROM ME.”

 

We may sometimes come by the idea, “It is useless; we are all sinners.” In comparison, we have indeed all sinned.   It is also true that we did not have to sin.    We, by our free will, CHOOSE to sin.   We sin because it gives pleasure, it is easy and convenient to do so, revenge seems sweet, giving tit for tat, friendship to the world, peer pressure appeasement etc.   Even though temptations are swirling around us, Sinning is not the result of fate; it results from Choice.   It is equivalent to the fact that we need to overcome temptations.   It also tantamounts to the fact that we need God’s help to succeed.   The devil observed humanity for centuries before you and I were born.   He knows every trick in the book and is willing to use all of them to make humanity fall.   That is his principal occupation.   He tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden; He tempted Jesus, the very Son of God.   So, he is not going to stop short of any of us. So, we need to sharpen our SPIRITUAL REFLEXES; our defence should be:

 

JAMES 4:7, 

7  “THEREFORE SUBMIT TO GOD.    RESIST THE DEVIL AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU.”   

—

 

EPHESIANS 4:27,  

27 “NOR GIVE PLACE TO THE DEVIL.”   

—-

 

EPHESIANS 6:11

11 “PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD, THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO STAND AGAINST THE WILES OF THE DEVIL.”  

 

There is always a feeling, “I am too weak; I will fall into sin.”  The Bible has addressed that concern:

 

SIRACH 7:16

16  “DO NOT COUNT YOURSELF AMONG THE CROWD OF SINNERS; REMEMBER THAT WRATH DOES NOT DELAY.”   

 

SIRACH 8:5

5  “DO NOT REPROACH A MAN WHO IS TURNING AWAY FROM SIN; REMEMBER THAT WE ALL DESERVE PUNISHMENT.”   

 

SIRACH 28: 6

6  “REMEMBER THE END OF YOUR LIFE, AND CEASE FROM ENMITY ,REMEMBER DESTRUCTION AND DEATH, AND BE TRUE TO THE COMMANDMENTS.”   

 

SIRACH 28:7

7  “REMEMBER THE COMMANDMENTS, AND DO NOT BE ANGRY WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR; REMEMBER THE COVENANT OF THE MOST HIGH, AND OVERLOOK IGNORANCE.” 

 

SIRACH 7:8

8  “DO NOT COMMIT A SIN TWICE, EVEN FOR ONE YOU WILL NOT GO UNPUNISHED.”   

 

SIRACH 7:36

36  “REMEMBER YOUR LAST END AND YOU WILL NOT SIN”  

 

ECCLESIASTES 12:13-14

13  “LET US HEAR THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER:

FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, FOR THIS IS THE WHOLE DUTY OF MAN.   

14  FOR GOD WILL BRING EVERY WORK INTO JUDGEMENT, INCLUDING EVERY SECRET THING, WHETHER IT IS GOOD OR WHETHER IT IS EVIL.”

 

There is a lot that one can learn on this subject from the Bible.   The books of the Bible mainly devoted to this area are called the BOOKS OF WISDOM.   They are:

THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

ECCLESIASTES

 

Catholic Bibles include:

 

The Book of Baruch

The Book of Sirach

The Book of Wisdom

 

It is one thing when people sin on their own. However, in equally, if not more disastrous terms, it is when people cause others to sin.   This causing other people to sin can take at least two forms:

• They make other people angry, exploit them, or do something which causes the other person to sin.
• They teach, show, or encourage others how to sin. By giving them books, taking them to sinful places etc.   It is so important that 3 of the Gospel writers mentioned it.    These are the word of the Lord Jesus Himself:

 

MATTHEW 18:6 ; MARK 9:42 ; LUKE 17:2

6  “BUT WHOEVER CAUSES ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES WHO BELIEVE IN ME TO SIN, IT WOULD BE BETTER FOR HIM TO HAVE A GREAT MILLSTONE FASTENED ROUND HIS NECK AND TO BE DROWNED IN THE DEPTH OF THE SEA.” 

 

‘Little’ one does not necessarily mean little- children; It also means people who are innocent of sins regardless of age.

 

What is disastrous about this sin is that the other person may ALSO go around teaching, showing, or encouraging others to sin. But, again, the proportions are frightening over time.

 

Writing this chapter was not just an academic arrangement of subject matter.   It was a mission for me.   I have done this particularly because most books on marriage either leave sin out, as though evil does not exist, or they leave it out because it is not a pleasant topic to put in towards the popularity of their book.   It could jeopardize the sales of their books. A subject like this runs contra to the Ad-Man’s notion that “Sex (Sin) has a lucrative selling appeal.”   Some others may walk with soft paws through a few sketchy details.   I believe this area is one of the primary reasons for the surprises accompanying a marriage breakdown.   It is also the main reason, which out sways all reasonable efforts made on all other fronts and thereby hampers the desired results.   God can turn our sinful experiences and struggle into a beautiful testimony to help our fellow humans.  My many mistakes and sins caused struggles and heartache brought me to write this book. And the pain of marriage separation made me determined to win this marriage.   This book is not the work of head knowledge; it is the heart-searching effort to find PEACE, and in the bargain, I found God, and repentance became meaningful.

For my readers who want to have a deeper understanding of this subject, I wrote at a later point in time, the following:

My quest to write this book on marriage has taken me through many years of reading and learning about various incidental subjects to marital happiness.   Somewhere deep within us, we first have to be happy.   We also must understand what can destroy happiness.   Sin is one of the things that destroys happiness.

 

Many years ago, when I was young, among MANY prayers, I overheard my mother would also pray, “Dear God forgive me for the sins of my youth and ignorance.”   My mother was well-schooled in prayer.   Somehow that prayer remained in my memory, although I did not know what to make of it.   But strangely, I did not forget it either.    Some years later, as a student aspiring to analyze things, as all students are taught and supposed to do, I thought about the prayer; I did not quite understand the reason for the words ‘—-and ignorance’.    I saw the possibilities of youth being impulsive, foolish, arrogant, etc., but it seemed that if one is ignorant, there can be no sin.   Many years later, I realized that “ignorance” in this context was not innocent ignorance but rather the excuses we make not to inform ourselves so that we can continue to do what we like.   For example, we could willfully engineer ignorance by avoiding catechism class, church, or Bible reading.   Then we can use the lack of our knowledge as an excuse.   It may be true that we are ignorant.   But the real reason is that we willfully choose ignorance.

 

Now, after some forty-five years from that point, while I was struggling to explain something, I realized that a gross area of my ignorance is that I cannot provide satisfactory answers on the topic of sin.   Still more, I grappled with how various factors could co-exist, like – Sin, Unhappiness, and many other undesirable things.   I know from my catechism and other classes about the Ten- Commandments and other forms of classifying right and wrong.   My ignorance was in explaining the effect and ramifications of sin.   For a long time, I spent endless hours before the Lord, asking Him for the Wisdom to understand the meaning of what I am trying to discover about sin.   In a way, I was somewhat vague about how exactly I was to define the search.   Anyway, one thing was sure; I wanted God to explain to me what exactly it was that I was asking God to explain to me.   I intended to get more insight from His vast wisdom and satisfy my search for answers.   In many ways, I am also asking God how I can share His great ocean of truth with others.

 

In very loving ways, the Lord has always put excellent teachers across my path.   I had outstanding teachers throughout my upbringing and later in all education, including foreign education.   Even as a young student, I felt my teachers were picked up by the Lord’s hand and put in the schools for me.   In a way, I have felt God picked them up like very choice fruit, examined them all around and said, “You are for Greg.”   What I write below is God’s kindness to me in the answers through the teaching of a very gifted teacher.  The entire structure of the “ramification of sin” is based on his education.   I have paraphrased this Bible teacher’s teaching work into the context of my book.  In that way, I express my thanks and admiration for him.   May God Bless him and his family abundantly.  This Bible Study teacher is the late Rev. Ray Stedman.

 

THE RAMIFICATION OF SIN

Misconception and lack of conception about sin are universal.   In addition, many different sources of wrong information are slowly but surely ‘brainwashing’ people to make people consider sin as not sin.   Even the bright minds of the educational and intellectual world are confused about the boundaries of sin.   Young people are bombarded by peer pressure, succumbing to sin to be “In.”   Added to the misfortune are arguments and excuses, like, “Modesty, Chastity, Virtue etc. are ‘Old-Fashion’; ‘Out-Dated’; ‘Silly Minded’ etc.   Amid the struggle, children and young people cannot find answers.   On one side, their God-given conscience points to sin as sin, but on the other, there are ever-present sources of false information.

 

Furthermore, parents are not well informed about the exact implication of sin.   They know something is wrong and do not want their children going on the wrong path, but they cannot provide satisfactory answers to themselves or their children.   So, the child eventually gives up for lack of satisfying answers and drifts where- ever the pressure and circumstances lead them.

 

In their frustrating search for answers, some say:   ‘I’m going to go ahead and do it; I cannot find satisfactory answers.   Afterwards, I will ask God to forgive me.’

Sadly, too, many authority figures cannot provide “good-enough reasoning.”   Sadly, the situation has come to the point where parents and various forms of governance feel unequipped with answers. So, for example, when children ask why it is wrong to “live” with a member of the opposite sex, the people in authority do not have proper answers.   Or, when they ask why it is wrong to have sex before marriage, they have no solid answer. But, on the other hand, the world is relentlessly pointing to all kinds of sinful norms.

 

 

The following few paragraphs are an attempt to provide some answers. But, more than the words of this chapter, it is my prayer that the dear Lord God provides my readers with His Divine Wisdom to understand and communicate the implication of sin effectively.

 

Every sin leaves a SCAR.

Every sin leaves a SCAR. Therefore, do not believe there is any way you will not be affected or will not have to pay for it.

This point needs to be understood and communicated effectively.   If the ramifications of sin are not understood, communication will be ineffective.

 

Those who fall into the category say, ” I will go ahead and do it, and afterwards, I will ask Got to forgive me.” However, these poor people need to understand at least two implications of the second half of their sentence.

 

1. God will forgive. He is a good God. He even sent His Son to suffer and die for our sins on the cross.
2. But that does not mean there will be no scars left behind.

 

People may get a well-propagated explanation for Point (a). Point (b), however, is less explained or even unexplained.

 

The result is an underlining trait of ignorance that gives rise to this attitude.   Consequently, there is the ignorance of not knowing that the uninformed are coming under a satanic delusion.   These people have already succumbed to the devil’s wiles and have no fundamental understanding of what sin is or does.

Let us examine sin and how it acts, especially concerning this common reaction.   This writing is not a presentation on moves to win an argument but rather an explanation of our spiritual survival.

One of the Beatitudes says,

MATTHEW 5:8,

8  “BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD.”  

The word pure does not refer to someone who has never sinned.   It means “the purged” in the heart.   Blessed are those who have been cleansed and know the grace of forgiveness.   As David put it so beautifully in the 32nd Psalm:

 

PSALMS 32:2.

2  “BLESSED IS THE MAN TO WHOM THE LORD WILL NOT IMPUTE INIQUITY.”   

All of us have faced a temptation of one kind or another, felt the seductive allure of some desirable thing, and heard the outspoken suggestion of, “So what, go ahead, you can be forgiven afterwards.  “Sin always has its pleasures- that makes it so attractive.

What is a sin like, and what happens when we give way to temptation? According to the Scripture, what happens when we cast our lot on the side of evil?  By our FREE WILL, we seek to entertain a wrong desire that has risen within us and translate it into action. Several things occur.

• First, we always go farther than we intended to go.

Going farther than we intended is invariably true when we sin.   It does not make any difference what kind of sin is involved.   This statement is not specific to any one type of sin.  The principles apply to any evil: tell a lie, rob a bank, be false to a friend, betray someone’s confidence, give way to gossip, or become wrongly involved sexually.   It makes no difference whatever it may be; any sin will do. But the first thing that happens is that we go farther than we intended.

 

We all know how this is.   Which of us has not told a lie, intending to tell only one lie, but before the day was over, we found that one lie forced us to tell another to support it, and then another, and yet another, worse than the one before.   As one little boy once said, we have all felt that a lie is an abomination to the Lord, but it is a very present help in times of trouble.   But as we look back on our lives, we discover that they are not helping; they have taken us farther than we wanted. So, in the concept of lies, we must also realize that we must be on our guard over our tongues and not ask a question that makes or forces others to lie.   Because we are then instrumental in making others tell one lie on top of another.

 

Going farther than we intended to is true with other types of sin.   It is easy for a young couple, a boy, and a girl, to ride together in a car.   They meant only to hold hands or exchange a kiss, but before they knew it, they were in the grip of a force that carried them further and sometimes far beyond where they did not want to go.   When that happens, guilt, remorse, shame, and other evil things follow, and there is the realization that they have fallen into the devil’s trap.   Falling into the devil’s trap is what Paul had in mind in the sixth chapter of Romans when he said,

ROMANS 6:16

16 DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT TO WHOM YOU PRESENT YOURSELVES SLAVES TO OBEY, YOU ARE THAT ONE’S SLAVES WHOM YOU OBEY, WHETHER OF SIN LEADING TO DEATH, OR OF OBEDIENCE LEADING TO RIGHTEOUSNESS?

Sin has a gripping effect.   We give way to it, and we think we can keep it under control.   That sin will only take us so far, and then we will draw the line and stop.   But we discover that the Word of God is faithful.   We cannot remove that line. So, we go further than we intended to go.   That is the first result of sin.

 

• We invariably expose someone else to danger or hurt.

The Bible has sufficient documentation of all aspects of where “Good People” were and how they were led astray by subtle temptations.

The purpose of the Bible is not to downplay good people’s greatness or amplify the weakness and folly of good people. On the contrary, the Bible shows that even great and Godly men and women fell by the devil’s temptations.   The devil is cunning, deceitful, and skilled in making even good people stumble.   The Bible has recorded three incidents where he even tempted Jesus, the Son of God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. Therefore, there is no reason for him not to entice you and me in unique ways to your or my personality or circumstances.   Having mentioned this fact, let us examine the following:

Remember the story of Abraham in the Old Testament.  Abraham was a man of God.  God directed him to the land of Ur in the country of Canaan.  God called Abraham to walk in fellowship and live with Him in a new country.

After he came to Canaan, the first thing related to Abraham was that a famine arose and tested Abraham’s faith in God as the provider of all his needs.   We read Abraham got panicky and forsook the land of Canaan and went down to Egypt.   Abraham faced many tests in his walk of faith. Let us look at an example from his younger days:

GENESIS 22:1- ff

ABRAHAM’S FAITH CONFIRMED

22:1  NOW IT CAME TO PASS AFTER THESE THINGS THAT GOD TESTED ABRAHAM, AND SAID TO HIM, “ABRAHAM!”

AND HE SAID, “HERE I AM.”

2 THEN HE SAID, “TAKE NOW YOUR SON, YOUR ONLY SON ISAAC, WHOM YOU LOVE, AND GO TO THE LAND OF MORIAH, AND OFFER HIM THERE AS A BURNT OFFERING ON ONE OF THE MOUNTAINS OF WHICH I SHALL TELL YOU.”

3 SO ABRAHAM ROSE EARLY IN THE MORNING AND SADDLED HIS DONKEY, AND TOOK TWO OF HIS YOUNG MEN WITH HIM, AND ISAAC HIS SON; AND HE SPLIT THE WOOD FOR THE BURNT OFFERING, AND AROSE AND WENT TO THE PLACE OF WHICH GOD HAD TOLD HIM.

4 THEN ON THE THIRD DAY ABRAHAM LIFTED HIS EYES AND SAW THE PLACE AFAR OFF.

5 AND ABRAHAM SAID TO HIS YOUNG MEN, “STAY HERE WITH THE DONKEY; THE LAD AND I WILL GO YONDER AND WORSHIP, AND WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU.”

6 SO ABRAHAM TOOK THE WOOD OF THE BURNT OFFERING AND LAID IT ON ISAAC HIS SON; AND HE TOOK THE FIRE IN HIS HAND, AND A KNIFE, AND THE TWO OF THEM WENT TOGETHER.

7 BUT ISAAC SPOKE TO ABRAHAM HIS FATHER AND SAID, “MY FATHER!”

AND HE SAID, “HERE I AM, MY SON.”

THEN HE SAID, “LOOK, THE FIRE AND THE WOOD, BUT WHERE IS THE LAMB FOR A BURNT OFFERING?”

8 AND ABRAHAM SAID, “MY SON, GOD WILL PROVIDE FOR HIMSELF THE LAMB FOR A BURNT OFFERING.” SO THE TWO OF THEM WENT TOGETHER.

Abraham’s courage and confidence in FAITH, he said: GOD WILL PROVIDE

Do not underestimate Abraham’s concerns about leaving Canaan’s famine-stricken land for Egypt’s food-intensive country.

When Abraham faced famine in Canaan, he took his people and belongings and headed for Egypt. This caravan Abraham took with him probably consisted of up to 1200 people, a lot of cattle, and a lot of personal belongings. It took them 7 or 10 days to reach Egypt through the desert.

Abraham was responsible for about 1200 people, plus livestock and cattle.  It was his responsibility to provide food and water so that these people could survive.  This leadership pressure took its toll on Abraham’s courage and FAITH CONFIDENCE.

The first thing he did in Egypt was to tell a lie about his wife.   From the story we read, Sarah was a beautiful woman.   The extraordinary fact is that she was sixty-five years of age at this point of the story, yet she was still a beautiful woman.   Abraham said to himself, “I know these Egyptians, these scoundrels.   If they see my beautiful wife, the king will want her for himself,” GENESIS 12:10-13.   So, he told Sarah to tell a lie and say that she was his sister and not his wife.   It was only a half-truth, but a half-truth is also a half-lie.   In reality, she was his half-sister.

What was the result of that lie Abraham told? Immediately it got Sarah into trouble.   Pharaoh, seeing her, said, “Here’s a beautiful woman.   I want to add her to my harem.   And is not this nice? She happens to be the man’s sister and not his wife, so I’m free to take her for myself,” GENESIS 12:14-16.   Abraham’s lie was the very thing that opened the door to expose Sarah to shame and disgrace.   Fortunately, God intervened and stopped the process before it went too far, but Abraham was called before Pharaoh and publicly rebuked for his folly.   GENESIS 12:17-20.

Because we are in one bundle of life with all of our friends and relatives, even, in fact, with the whole human race, what we do always affects someone else.   Take, for instance, the agony in parents’ eyes and see the tears they have shed over the folly into which their children have fallen.   Sin is not a private affair; it always touches someone else.   No one can sin in secret, for God, who sees the hearts, always works to uncover what is hidden.   Eventually, it all comes out to the hurt, damage, sorrow, and despair of others we did not mean to hurt.    People who say, “It is my Life; what I do, is my business alone.” are betraying gross ignorance – They do not know life as well as they think they know.

Sometimes, people think they can ‘have a fling’ in either thought, word or deed thinking that their loved ones will never know because they are so far away, and there is no way they will ever come to know.   These people are often surprised that there is an uneasy feeling that neither they nor their loved ones can explain.   The mind cannot explain the surface because it goes deeper, connecting people in an inner dimension.

Unfortunately, this scourge of ignorance affects all age groups; small children bully weaker children.   Their sinful urge for fun hurts someone else.   Bigger children rag their teachers and maybe collectively hurt an individual.   Grown-ups have their own set of temptations and sins that injure others.

In the context of marriage, the person hurt can be our own.   Let us see how:

With the widespread activity of pre-marital cohabiting.   The following trends have come into being.   More and more younger people think they should start life by cohabiting and later, if it “works out,” get married.   If it does not, then re-try the cohabiting manoeuvre with another.   They have a sugar-coated word for this relationship. It is called Common Law.   It has some significance from the tax point of view.   Unfortunately, there is none from the moral sense of the meaning of marriage.   The statistics mentioned in this paragraph were added later and are from the Statistics Canada census 2001.   The statistics claim that 75 % of cohabiting young people eventually marry. However, the statistics do not reveal if the consent is equal.   Often, one wants to get married more than the other, and the other decides to “go through with it.”

The statistics claim that among children between 0 to 14 years old, 68% live with their married parents, 13% live with Common- Law parents, and 19% do not live with both parents.   Just think about what these Common Law parents made their children face when asked about their parents.   Cohabitation Fling is fancy for the parents – but what about the children?   Then there is also 19% who are not wanted.   What has their innocent life got to do with their parent’s rejection of morals?  All they know is that they were at the mercy of someone other than their parents.

Statistics have caught the following figures of what separation these children witness in the marital breakdown of their parents.

• Children of married couples whose parents did not live together witnessed 13.6% break up of their parent’s marriage.
• Children of unmarried Common-Law couples witnessed a staggering 63%.
• Children of Common Law who got married (Before or soon after starting a family) were an intermediate category of about 25%

Sin will always hurt another person. Sadly that person can be one’s flesh and blood.

Sin will always extract a price first for self and other connected people.

 

• Repentance is increasingly difficult.

The third thing that happens when we sin is repentance becomes increasingly laborious.   These things are not optional; they invariably happen whenever we sin.   The longer we go on, the more we give way and choose the evil, the harder it is to turn around or stop, and the harder it is to cast ourselves upon God’s forgiving, redeeming grace and stop the evil thing.   If we go on too far this way, we may find it impossible to turn around.   The need to repent is a necessary striving found on page after page of the Bible.   Five times in the book of Hebrews alone, you will find this kind of warning note, “be careful! If you go too far, you will find that you cannot come back.”

Here is a situation for us in the story of the Old Testament prophet Balaam. Balak, the King of Moab, offered Balaam money to curse Isreal. Verse NUMBERS 22:12 goes one step further:

12 AND GOD SAID TO BALAAM, “YOU SHALL NOT GO WITH THEM; YOU SHALL NOT CURSE THE PEOPLE, FOR THEY ARE BLESSED.”

Balaam knew it was wrong to curse Israel; he did not have to seek the mind of the Lord about that.   He did not need “to pray about it,” as some of us glibly say when we know a thing is wrong.   You do not need to pray about things that God’s explicit instruction that He has revealed.

Balaam knew it was wrong to curse Israel, but he wanted the money.   So he came to the Lord and asked him for permission to go.   God said, “No,” but Balaam decided to go anyway, and he went.   On the way, he found God’s angel blocking his road.   So stubborn was he that God had to give sound to a dumb animal and speak to him through his donkey before he would stop and turn around.   NUMBERS 22:22-31. 

Sometimes God must treat us rather roughly because we will not listen.   We have turned a deaf ear to His word and find it easy to keep doing so.   So, one of the disturbing things about the nature of sin is that once we get started on the wrong path, we find it hard to turn around.

But now, supposing you do turn around.   Suppose, at this point, you do see the folly you are engaged in, and you do not want to go any further.   You are genuinely repentant about it and come to God, confess it to him, and forsake it.   Even here, we can kid ourselves.   We may say to God, “Please, forgive me; I did this thing,” yet, down in our hearts, we have every intention of doing it again at the next opportunity.   Remember that we are dealing with God, who reads the HEARTS.   He knows what is going on. And God pays no attention to the words that come from our lips.   All the evil, guilt, and shame will still be present in our lives even though we have asked for forgiveness with our lips.   God reads the HEARTS.

But suppose we find genuine forgiveness? Suppose we do repent, which means to turn around) and we stop the evil thing; what happens then? Immediately all the estrangement between God and us is gone, and we attain a sense of fellowship with God.   God removes our guilt and cleanses us; we no longer need to beat ourselves.   We are washed, set free, and treated as though the thing never happened in God’s sight.   That is the fantastic wonder of forgiveness that we can find genuine relief from the inner torment of our hearts and are set free.   But does that mean the thing is all ended? Or that nothing more will happen to us due to that sin. No! There are still specific inevitable results which must occur.   God’s forgiveness does not affect these because they are part of another aspect of God’s character — his function as the moral governor of the universe.

• Our sin has left A PERMANENT AREA OF WEAKNESS at one point in our life.

Even though we have been forgiven and restored to God’s favour, our sin has left a permanent weakness at one point in our life.   Once we have given way to temptation, it will always remain an area of weakness where we can easily give way again.   It does not matter how long we live: It will remain an area of weakness.   We can fall again more quickly than we did the first time.   It explains why Abraham, some thirty-odd years after his lie in Egypt, finds himself in a similar predicament with the king of the Philistines and does the same thing repeatedly; he lies about his wife.   When he walked with God, the time between did not make any difference.   We can be again whatever we once were whenever we fall back into the flesh.   Sin leaves a permanently weak place in the wall, and we will always have to fight a tough battle at that point.   It does not mean we have to fail or give way again.   By God’s grace, we need not.   But we will always find ourselves peculiarly subject to temptation at that point.

In short, sin leaves a permanent weak spot.

In short, they would never have had to struggle had they not fallen into those sins.

Here is God’s countermeasure to strengthen us:

Sometimes, people who experience God’s forgiveness like telling others how God saved them. These people are genuinely grateful for the relief that God has rescued them.

The truth, however, is that God can show us what He has kept us from and take us out of our weakness to fall again.

Let us backtrack:

Sin leaves an area of weakness to fall into a previously committed sin. But God can give us the countermeasure so we do not fall into that sin again.

Please try and understand this point.

If we fall, God can pull us out and restore us; He is fully capable of that.   However, it is equally important to realize that God can shield us from falling.

Jesus made this point prayerfully when He taught us the “Lord’s Prayer.”   One of the articles of this prayer is, “ – – –  do not bring us to temptation – – – “  or  “… do not bring us to the test….” 

Many people think God is leading them into Sin, and they have to ask God not to do that.  This idea that God leads people into temptation is an erroneous teaching.

God is in the occupation of protecting people from the devil’s temptation and getting them to be with Him in heaven. But unfortunately, it is the devil who is in the business of tempting people.

That line in the Lord’s prayer centres around protecting us from Re- Falling into that area of a previous sin.  That sin created a weakness in us. Therefore, we ask God to protect us from a re-temptation because we know the devil will use that weak spot.

Besides, the prayer line, “ – – –  do not bring us to temptation – – – “  or  “… do not bring us to the test….” is to ask God that we will not have to fight the severe battles with temptation.

In the context of marriage, pre-marital sex leaves a permanent area of vulnerability. Moreover, pre-marital sex weakens the person’s Moral armour.

Pre-marital sex can increase:

• Sex appetite with anyone and
• And indulge in sex with any number of people and
• And indulge in sex any number of times.   So much so,
• They have no moral shame or restraint left.

Pre-marital sex is a favourite method of the devil. The devil will use various ways, including one’s friends, to suggest and arrange the sinning partner, as well as anything that is needed, like a room, bed, car etc.

As the rate of Pre-marital sex increased, so did the rate of Marriage Separation and Divorce.

When church and religious education decreased, sex activities became more, which was a forerunner to pre-marital sex.

So these are cases of Sin leading to more sin.

• Specific TEMPORAL BLESSINGS get permanently excluded.

The emphasis is on the words “TEMPORAL BLESSINGS”, i.e., certain advantages or blessings we could have had in this life but from which we are excluded permanently because of our fall.

A prominent Biblical example of this is Moses.   In leading the people through the wilderness, he found them demanding water.

The incidents were:

The incident of Moses facing the people’s demand for water HAPPENED TWICE in Scripture.  The first time was when the Israelites exited Egypt after crossing the RED SEA.

The second time was forty years later, before reaching the promised land.

The same test at both times was that there was no water, and the people got angry with Moses.

The FIRST TIME

God said to Moses:

EXODUS 17:6.

6  “STRIKE THE ROCK AND THE WATER WILL COME FORTH.”   

He did this, and the water came gushing forth to meet the needs of the people.

The SECOND TIME

Forty years later, they again faced great thirst in the wilderness wanderings.

This time God said to Moses:

NUMBERS 20:7-8.

“GO AND SPEAK TO THE ROCK AND THE WATER WILL COME OUT.”   

Please pay attention:

For the FIRST TIME, God said, STRIKE THE ROCK.

During the SECOND TIME, God said, SPEAK TO THE ROCK.

 

Moses was angry at the people’s murmuring. In his anger, instead of speaking to the rock, he took his rod and struck it.   God immediately rebuked him.   He said,

NUMBERS 20:(11)-12.

“BECAUSE YOU HAVE NOT SEEN FIT TO GLORIFY ME IN THE EYES OF THIS PEOPLE, YOU ARE UNFIT TO LEAD THEM INTO THE PROMISED- LAND.”   

A point to keep in mind:

The incident of Moses facing the people’s demand for water happened twice in Scripture.  The first time was when the Israelites exited Egypt after crossing the RED SEA.

The second time was forty years later, before reaching the promised land.

The test at both times was that there was no water, and the people got angry with Moses.

Let us look at what happened.

God was pleased with Moses for leading the Israelites for forty years through the desert. However, God first told Moses to strike the rock to demonstrate God’s power to provide for the Israelites.

Forty years later, for the same reason as water, God wanted the Israelites to see that Moses would only need to speak to the rock. In earlier times, God showed the people that Moses had to do something; now, his words were sufficient.

After forty years, poor Moses could not appreciate the extra power that God was giving him. Besides, don’t forget Moses was one hundred and twenty years old.

—

When they finally came to the edge of that land and Moses saw it lying before him, he asked God to release him from his restriction.   But God said, “No,” He would not.   It was to be a permanent restriction. So as long as Moses lived, he could not do what his heart wanted because of his sin.

God’s grace is evident on the Mount of Transfiguration, for when our Lord Jesus was there with his disciples, Moses and Elijah were also present.    MATTHEW 17:1-5,  LUKE 9:28-33.    In his resurrected body, Moses could enter the Promised Land. By contrast, Moses could not enter the Promised Land with his physical body because it remained a permanent restriction because of his sin.

I want to emphasize additionally:

(At this point, I would like to make a note for my Christian readers.   Many Christians believe that the incident about Moses and the water from the rock occurred only once. However, the Bible has cited two separate occasions in two different locations at two separate times.

1. The incidence quoted in EXODUS 17:6 occurred in Horeb.   If we continue to the next verse, we read that Moses called the spot Massah and Meribah.

 

1. The incidence quoted in NUMBERS 20: 11-12 occurred in the Wilderness of Zin near Kadesh.   NUMBERS 20:1-2.)

Becoming disqualified is what Paul means at the close of the ninth chapter of First Corinthians,

1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27

STRIVING FOR A CROWN

24 DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT THOSE WHO RUN IN A RACE ALL RUN, BUT ONE RECEIVES THE PRIZE? RUN IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU MAY OBTAIN IT.

25 AND EVERYONE WHO COMPETES FOR THE PRIZE IS TEMPERATE IN ALL THINGS. NOW THEY DO IT TO OBTAIN A PERISHABLE CROWN, BUT WE FOR AN IMPERISHABLE CROWN.

26 THEREFORE I RUN THUS: NOT WITH UNCERTAINTY. THUS I FIGHT: NOT AS ONE WHO BEATS THE AIR.

27 BUT I DISCIPLINE MY BODY AND BRING IT INTO SUBJECTION, LEST, WHEN I HAVE PREACHED TO OTHERS, I MYSELF SHOULD BECOME DISQUALIFIED.

Paul is speaking about his own life and ministry.   He says, in effect.   “I’m running a race to win.   I do not want to lose it.   I am not fighting as one who shadow-boxes or beats the air in vain, but I discipline my body and bring it under subjection.   I insist that it obey my will, lest I should be disqualified and disapproved, having preached to others.”

1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27. 

Most of us read that as though Paul means that he is afraid God will lay him aside, out of the ministry. But, indeed, this is a possibility, and it could have happened to him, for it has happened to other servants of God who fall into gross sin; God sets them aside, and they are no longer ministers.

But I do not think that is all it means.

Paul recognizes that in whatever degree he gives way to the indulgence of the flesh, he is, to the same degree, disqualified in some form of ministry.

Many priests and councillors know this feeling.   Inside them, they feel disqualified at times.   They cannot help people with a certain kind of problem because of things they have done in the past.   They may be very well gifted in other areas but, in some way, powerless in areas of previous sin.   This danger lies before us all when we give way to evil.

• The scar. The law of inevitable consequences

Then a final thing, number six, is the effect of sin on human life.   A person has to pay for the long-range fruit of evil.   Remember how Paul wrote to the Galatians’?

GALATIANS 6:7A “DO NOT BE DECEIVED”; do not bluff yourself about this, and do not let anyone else bluff you about it.

6:7B “GOD IS NOT MOCKED”, i.e., God is utterly faithful to Himself; He is wholly dependable in what He says He will do.

GALATIANS 6:7C-8A.

“WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWS, THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP.   IF HE SOWS TO THE FLESH, HE WILL OF THE FLESH REAP CORRUPTION.”  (DEATH, EMPTINESS, FRUSTRATION, BOREDOM, EVIL).   

 

GALATIANS 6:8B.

“BUT IF HE SOWS TO THE SPIRIT,” HE SHALL LIKEWISE REAP A CROP, THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT IS ETERNAL — “ETERNAL LIFE.”   

That scar caused by sin is called the law of inevitable consequences. So when we sin, even though our relationship with God is forgiveness, and God promises to go with us through all the results that will follow, these results will still follow.

This friendship with “Goodness” is like chinaware – costly, rich, and rare.   Once broken, it can be repaired, but the crack will always remain there.

 

An example of a vivid dramatization of the scar caused by sin consequence was when a father once took his son out to the garage and drove a nail into the wall.   Then he said to his son, “Son, pull the nail out with this hammer.” So, the boy took the hammer and pulled the nail out.   His father said, “Now, pull out the nail hole.”

Yes, we can change some aspects of sin, but not all.   Because God is a moral governor and a loving Father, specific results must be allowed to continue to establish and vindicate God’s righteousness.

 

We find this occurring in certain places of Scripture.   When David lusted after Bathsheba and, as king of Israel, did that terrible thing that led first to adultery and then murder. Even though David confessed the sin, the scar of sin persisted.  David brought his penitent feelings in the words of the 51st Psalm.  David expressed his wholehearted confession of his evil before God, yet God said to him,

2 SAMUEL 12:10B

10b  “THE SWORD SHALL NEVER DEPART FROM YOUR HOUSE.”   

It proved to be true.   The next thing David knew, his son rebelled against him, and David had to flee before Absalom.   Then warfare broke out among David’s generals.   For the rest of David’s life, there is unceasing warfare, bitterness, and battle from which he cannot escape.

Is it not interesting that the most remarkable and godliest king Israel ever had, did the same thing as the most wicked king they ever had? King Ahab saw something he coveted, just as David did.   He plotted for Naboth’s vineyard and murdered to get it, 1 KINGS 21:1-14.   David did essentially the same thing.   What a revelation of the nature of the flesh! In this good man, David, and this evil man, Ahab, you find precisely the same reaction when confronted with temptation.

Another experience in David’s life reveals this same principle to us.   In the last chapter of Second Samuel, almost the final event in David’s life, David had the temptation to number Israel.   This temptation does not look very serious to us, but it represents a departure from trusting in the Lord to a trusting method of men.   The king’s temptation was to count the number of his men to see how big an army he had to confront the enemy.

By this action, David was expressing doubt in his own heart about the faithfulness of God to give Israel deliverance regardless of how many men they had.   That is why this was so important.   David succumbed to the temptation and numbered the people.   After the census and the count of men, David felt guilty because of his mistrust.  He confessed his distrust in God.   God sent the prophet Gad to David to say to him,

 

2 SAMUEL 24:10-14.

THE JUDGMENT ON DAVID’S SIN

10 AND DAVID’S HEART CONDEMNED HIM AFTER HE HAD NUMBERED THE PEOPLE. SO DAVID SAID TO THE LORD, “I HAVE SINNED GREATLY IN WHAT I HAVE DONE; BUT NOW, I PRAY, O LORD, TAKE AWAY THE INIQUITY OF YOUR SERVANT, FOR I HAVE DONE VERY FOOLISHLY.”

11 NOW WHEN DAVID AROSE IN THE MORNING, THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME TO THE PROPHET GAD, DAVID’S SEER, SAYING,

12 “GO AND TELL DAVID, ‘THUS SAYS THE LORD: “I OFFER YOU THREE THINGS; CHOOSE ONE OF THEM FOR YOURSELF, THAT I MAY DO IT TO YOU.” ’

” 13 SO GAD CAME TO DAVID AND TOLD HIM; AND HE SAID TO HIM, “SHALL SEVEN YEARS OF FAMINE COME TO YOU IN YOUR LAND? OR SHALL YOU FLEE THREE MONTHS BEFORE YOUR ENEMIES, WHILE THEY PURSUE YOU? OR SHALL THERE BE THREE DAYS’ PLAGUE IN YOUR LAND? NOW CONSIDER AND SEE WHAT ANSWER I SHOULD TAKE BACK TO HIM WHO SENT ME.”

14 AND DAVID SAID TO GAD, “I AM IN GREAT DISTRESS. PLEASE LET US FALL INTO THE HAND OF THE LORD, FOR HIS MERCIES ARE GREAT; BUT DO NOT LET ME FALL INTO THE HAND OF MAN.”

—

This same incident is both in the Book of 2 SAMUEL 24:10-14 as we have just seen AND ALSO in

1 CHRONICLES 21 puts it this way:

10 “GO AND TELL DAVID, SAYING, ‘THUS SAYS THE LORD: “I OFFER YOU THREE THINGS; CHOOSE ONE OF THEM FOR YOURSELF, THAT I MAY DO IT TO YOU.” ’ ”

11 SO GAD CAME TO DAVID AND SAID TO HIM, “THUS SAYS THE LORD: ‘CHOOSE FOR YOURSELF,

12 EITHER THREE YEARS OF FAMINE, OR THREE MONTHS TO BE DEFEATED BY YOUR FOES WITH THE SWORD OF YOUR ENEMIES OVERTAKING YOU, OR ELSE FOR THREE DAYS THE SWORD OF THE LORD—THE PLAGUE IN THE LAND, WITH THE ANGEL OF THE LORD DESTROYING THROUGHOUT ALL THE TERRITORY OF ISRAEL.’ NOW CONSIDER WHAT ANSWER I SHOULD TAKE BACK TO HIM WHO SENT ME.”

13 AND DAVID SAID TO GAD, “I AM IN GREAT DISTRESS. PLEASE LET ME FALL INTO THE HAND OF THE LORD, FOR HIS MERCIES ARE VERY GREAT; BUT DO NOT LET ME FALL INTO THE HAND OF MAN.”

Do you know which one God chose? He chose pestilence among the people for three days.   A plague broke out that night in Israel; before that, over 70,000 people had perished for David’s sin.

I am sure the severity of that sentence was due to the prominence of the king.   When a king sins, it is much more dangerous than someone else. Therefore, the higher our position and the more publicly exposed it is, the greater the results, the harvest of sin.

The Bible says elders must be publicly rebuked if they sin, whereas other Christians’ sins can be dealt with privately.   If a pastor, an elder, or a leader sins, he is to be rebuked openly so that others also may fear.   God never treats sin lightly.   It is that evil thing in the heart which has required the sacrifice of the Son of God to remove.   Therefore, it is a deadly, dangerous thing.   So often, Scripture warns in Scripture, it comes upon us as a snare, as a wile, looking to be innocent and attractive but filled with viciousness, vileness, foulness, filth, hurt, pain, darkness, and death.   That is why the appeal of Scripture is to put our trust in God, as would a little child.   We do not need to understand the nature of sin to avoid its evil effects; all we need do is trust in the Lord and, like a young child, obey Him whether we understand what the results will be.   Just obey God, that is all.

PROVERBS 3:5-6

5  “TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND LEAN NOT TO YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING.  

6  IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM,  AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATHS.”   

There is an OLD TESTAMENT thinking – and there is hope in the NEW TESTAMENT.

The two verses are:

1. OLD TESTAMENT: DEUTERONOMY 5:9

2. NEW TESTAMENT: GAL 5:16-18 the

3. NEW TESTAMENT Reinforcement is: JAMES 2:10  

 

We will examine the verses.

Blessings of the fathers pass to the third and fourth generations—likewise, the sins.   What we do may show up in our children, or our children’s children, as weaknesses or as areas of temptation they need not have inherited had we chosen to walk in fidelity to God.

I say this to show us all, my heart included, what a terrible sin is.   We cannot glibly pass it off by saying, “Oh, well, it does not make much difference.   I will go ahead and do it; God will forgive me.”   He will.   He will if there is the genuineness of repentance. Sins can be forgiven, washed and cleansed in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.   But with it will come these inevitable consequences that will darken the heart, shorten the opportunity, and remove possibilities we once could have.

The restoring grace of God may open new doors of opportunity in other ways.   God may give us occasions to grow and ways of maturing that we would not have had otherwise, but we can never remove the nail hole; it always remains.

What do you think about it? Is the game worth it? Is it not best to trust a loving Father who warns us faithfully? Let us obey him! That’s the name of the game. Obedience! Trust and obey.

Rev. Ray Stedman usually ended his teaching with a prayer relevant to the topic he had discussed; the prayer below is one of his prayers at the end of this teaching:

Prayer

Our Father, our hearts have been made solemn as we have looked together with you at this matter of evil.   It is not a light thing; it is a serious thing so severe that it took the mystery of the darkness of the cross to even make a dent in it.   But that was enough.   If we walk in the light of that cross and in the judgment that comes upon the evil in us, we can be kept from much heartache and much sorrow.   We thank you, Father, that your restrictions upon us are not prompted by a desire to limit us but rather to give us freedom, not driven by a desire to hurt us but to help us and keep us from harm.   So we trust thee anew, Our Father, and commit ourselves anew, men and women, boys and girls together, that we might walk in obedience to you, loving you and trusting you.   In Jesus’ name, Amen.

—

GREAT TEACHING OMISSION

Many teachings talk about:

The Scripture reveals to us that sin also affects the generations to come.   God declared in Deuteronomy that he “visits the fathers’ sins upon the children unto the third and fourth generation”. DEUTERONOMY 5:9.

The GROSS OMISSION of the GLOOM and DOOM teachers is that they forget the BOOK OF GALATIANS.

GAL 5:16-18.  ff  However, it is best to continue to the end of the chapter till VERSE 26.

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT

16 I SAY THEN: WALK IN THE SPIRIT, AND YOU SHALL NOT FULFILL THE LUST OF THE FLESH.

17 FOR THE FLESH LUSTS AGAINST THE SPIRIT, AND THE SPIRIT AGAINST THE FLESH; AND THESE ARE CONTRARY TO ONE ANOTHER, SO THAT YOU DO NOT DO THE THINGS THAT YOU WISH.

18 BUT IF YOU ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT, YOU ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW.

—

19 NOW THE WORKS OF THE FLESH ARE EVIDENT, WHICH ARE: ADULTERY, FORNICATION, UNCLEANNESS, LEWDNESS,

20 IDOLATRY, SORCERY, HATRED, CONTENTIONS, JEALOUSIES, OUTBURSTS OF WRATH, SELFISH AMBITIONS, DISSENSIONS, HERESIES,

21 ENVY, MURDERS, DRUNKENNESS, REVELRIES, AND THE LIKE; OF WHICH I TELL YOU BEFOREHAND, JUST AS I ALSO TOLD YOU IN TIME PAST, THAT THOSE WHO PRACTICE SUCH THINGS WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

22 BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS,

23 GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL. AGAINST SUCH THERE IS NO LAW.

24 AND THOSE WHO ARE CHRIST’S HAVE CRUCIFIED THE FLESH WITH ITS PASSIONS AND DESIRES.

25 IF WE LIVE IN THE SPIRIT, LET US ALSO WALK IN THE SPIRIT.

26 LET US NOT BECOME CONCEITED, PROVOKING ONE ANOTHER, ENVYING ONE ANOTHER.

—

People may wonder HOW COME THE CHANGE.  Please understand there is no change but a PROGRESSION.

Before Jesus Christ died on the cross and paid the price for our redemption, all humanity was UNDER THE LAW.  After Jesus redeemed humanity, we came UNDER THE GRACE OF GOD, and we were no longer under THE LAW.

Now comes the part where FREE WILL plays a role.  Based on our FREE WILL, we can choose to continue IN THE STATE OF GRACE or disobey and CHOOSE SIN.  If we decide to SIN, we discard THE STATE OF GRACE.

It may be best to study GALATIANS Chapters 3,4, and 5 to get a comprehensive picture.

A WORD OF CAUTION.

Many Sub-Standard Teachings try to straddle both teachings. On one side, they mention a penalty relating to not keeping the law and choosing points related to THE STATE OF GRACE based on THE REDEMPTION that Jesus attained for us.

In particular, “visits the fathers’ sins upon the children unto the third and fourth generation” DEUTERONOMY 5:9.

Let us look at the Scripture:

GALATIANS 5:3

And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised THAT HE IS A DEBTOR TO KEEP THE WHOLE LAW.

— 

JAMES 2:10

FOR WHOEVER SHALL KEEP THE WHOLE LAW, AND YET STUMBLE IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL.

The long and the short are:

Choose THE STATE OF GRACE won for us by JESUS DYING ON THE CROSS and PAYING THE RANSOM FOR OUR REDEMPTION.

OR

Choose to follow the LAW, which was in force while humanity was in bondage to the devil.  In other words, the devil claimed us as HIS PROPERTY.

To reiterate:

JAMES 2:10

FOR WHOEVER SHALL KEEP THE WHOLE LAW, AND YET STUMBLE IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL.

—

Choosing to be friends of both thinking is COMPROMISE THINKING.

People who choose that route will spend their decision-making choosing between GOD’S TEACHING and THE WORLDS TEACHING and SUGGESTIONS.

People make room for a variety of COMPROMISES.

Just briefly, to reiterate:

GAL 5-19-21

19 NOW THE WORKS OF THE FLESH ARE EVIDENT, WHICH ARE: ADULTERY, FORNICATION, UNCLEANNESS, LEWDNESS,

20 IDOLATRY, SORCERY, HATRED, CONTENTIONS, JEALOUSIES, OUTBURSTS OF WRATH, SELFISH AMBITIONS, DISSENSIONS, HERESIES,

21 ENVY, MURDERS, DRUNKENNESS, REVELRIES, AND THE LIKE; OF WHICH I TELL YOU BEFOREHAND, JUST AS I ALSO TOLD YOU IN TIME PAST, THAT THOSE WHO PRACTICE SUCH THINGS WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

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HERE IS AN IMPORTANT POINT:

I am re-emphasizing the point above.

Status 1

BEFORE JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS – OLD TESTAMENT

Before Jesus died on the cross and paid the devil’s ransom, humans were in the devil’s ownership.  The price that the devil demanded was that an innocent victim had to pay the cost of REDEMPTION.  Up to the moment of Jesus dying on the cross, the OLD TESTAMENT was in force.  That is to say. THE LAW WAS IN FORCE.

Human beings in the OLD TESTAMENT had to follow what was IN THE LAW.

 

Status 2

AFTER JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS – NEW TESTAMENT

After Jesus died on the cross, He paid the cost to REDEEM US. We refer to this “Cost-Paid-Up-Situation” as SALVATION. As a result, we are no longer in the devil’s ownership. In that instant of Jesus dying on the cross, the NEW TESTAMENT was in force.  That is to say. THE GRACE OF GOD.

In the NEW TESTAMENT, human beings come into THE GRACE OF GOD.

—

THERE IS NO MIX and MATCH WAY OF CHRISTIANITY.

—

THE SITUATION TODAY

Today we can come across teaching from various groups of Main Stream Christians and those claiming to be Christians. Each group put forth their ideas.  A less trained reader may not realize subtle differences.

It is, therefore, not uncommon to come across some forms of MIX and MATCH WAY OF CHRISTIANITY TEACHING AND PRACTICES.

—

Be clear:

THERE IS NO MIX and MATCH WAY OF CHRISTIANITY.

For example:

Suppose a person decides to follow the OLD TESTAMENT – LAW.  Then that person should follow the complete OLD TESTAMENT – LAW.

—

Suppose a person decides to follow the NEW TESTAMENT – GRACE OF GOD.  Then that person should follow the complete NEW TESTAMENT – GRACE OF GOD.

—

Many so-called Religious teachers preach, teach and practice A MIX and MATCH WAY OF CHRISTIANITY.  Still worse, they insist that the people who follow them follow this DUAL TRACK.

Here is a point:

For those who want to continue to follow the OLD TESTAMENT LAW, the Scripture is clear:

GALATIANS 5:3

And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised THAT HE IS A DEBTOR TO KEEP THE WHOLE LAW.

—

JAMES 2:10

FOR WHOEVER SHALL KEEP THE WHOLE LAW, AND YET STUMBLE IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL.

—

For those who follow the NEW TESTAMENT – – GRACE OF GOD, the Scripture is clear:

There are many bible quotations in explanation of the GRACE OF GOD.  For this chapter, I will only pick two sources out of many references:

Reference 1

EPHESIANS 2:4-10 and 16-18

BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH

4 BUT GOD, WHO IS RICH IN MERCY, BECAUSE OF HIS GREAT LOVE WITH WHICH HE LOVED US,

5 EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN TRESPASSES, MADE US ALIVE TOGETHER WITH CHRIST (BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED),

6 AND RAISED US UP TOGETHER, AND MADE US SIT TOGETHER IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS,

7 THAT IN THE AGES TO COME HE MIGHT SHOW THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US IN CHRIST JESUS.

8 FOR BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH, AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD,

9 NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANYONE SHOULD BOAST.

10 FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS FOR GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.

 —

16 AND THAT HE MIGHT RECONCILE THEM BOTH TO GOD IN ONE BODY THROUGH THE CROSS, THEREBY PUTTING TO DEATH THE ENMITY.

17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE AFAR OFF AND TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR.

18 FOR THROUGH HIM WE BOTH HAVE ACCESS BY ONE SPIRIT TO THE FATHER.

—

Reference 2

MATTHEW 28:18-20

18 AND JESUS CAME AND SPOKE TO THEM, SAYING, “ALL AUTHORITY HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH.

19 GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL THE NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,

20 TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; AND LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE END OF THE AGE.” AMEN.

These are not the words of some Gospel writer.  THESE ARE THE WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF.

—

A note about other teachers who teach a MIX and MATCH CHRISTIANITY or a DUAL TRACK, they are not Anti-Christianity. They may have got another slant from their teachers. In many ways, they are very sincere about following Christ.  It is not correct to put any group down. Remember to follow God as sincerely as you know how, and leave God to guide them and us in our shortcomings.

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THE WRONGS RESULTING FROM:

1. PRE-MARITAL SEX
2. FORNICATION
3. ADULTERY

Many people shy away from the above topics.

• Book writers shy away from being frank for fear that the book’s sales potential will be affected.
• The people in the publishing company will throw them and their writing out and label them as “Undesirable Writers.”
• Various groups of people will quarrel with the writers and publishers.
• News media, who live for promoting sensationalism, will quickly blare whatever news slant increases their popularity. Whether the contents are right or wrong is of minuscule validity – what is lucrative is the FAME of being regarded as the top sensationalist.

—

In today’s world, all three of the above areas of

1. PRE-MARITAL SEX
2. FORNICATION
3. ADULTERY

are rampant.  The occurrences are so prevalent that people have placed them under excuses like “NORMAL”, “TODAY’S NORM”, etc.

• Young people ask other people what their experiences are in these areas.
• Parents are not sure how to bring up such topics with their children and fear what repercussions it will have.
• Teachers are afraid of being sacked for telling morally correct teachings.
• Churches and religious institutions are afraid of criticism, news media and loss of membership.

—

• For these and many more reasons, the people in authority are silent and unwilling to confront the truth.
• People in positions of charge are shirking their responsibility for their peace.
• The youngsters are left to glean moral advice from anywhere, including “From society’s scrap and riff-raff”.   Treacherous soul-damaging opinions, on the other hand, are widespread.
• The attack and the traps are on you, your dear children and your loved ones.

—

This book does not intend to expound on PRE-MARITAL SEX, FORNICATION, and ADULTERY but to mention them.

—

PRE-MARITAL SEX

In “Old-World Thinking”, Marriages were carried out by a PROPOSAL SYSTEM. So, the boy’s family was on one side and the girl’s family on the other. And in between was a “Go-Between”.  The “Go-Between” acted as a proposal bearer, an answer bearer, and the person who asked questions to clear all doubts and questions. Some of the questions were very personal and embarrassing, but they helped everyone know what they were getting.

The other significant difference was:

In the old days, people married – – –  and – – –  fell in love. 

Today, the trend is to fall in love – – – and – – – then get married.

Today, since few follow the “Go-Between” idea, the idea has opened up the “YOU, TRY BEFORE YOU BUY” idea.

This “YOU, TRY BEFORE YOU BUY” concept has made an excuse for checking out sexual compatibility.

As a result, PREMARITAL SEX became more common. As PREMARITAL SEX became more common, so did the acceptance.  The element of SIN became relegated to “OLD FASHION THINKING.”

People who spoke against PREMARITAL SEX were immediately labelled Anti-social. Even as a downright undesirable company.  That included the church as well.

Even Religious correctness towards SIN got relegated to “OLD FASHION THINKING.”

Many categories of people began to look the other way.

We read earlier that SIN is SIN, and it will:

1.  Leave a permanent scar. Even if the SIN is confessed and forgiven, the spot always remains.

This scar is just like the story we read a little earlier:

A father once took his son to the garage and drove a nail into the wall.   Then he said to his son, “Son, pull the nail out with this hammer.” So, the boy took the hammer and pulled the nail out.   His father said, “Now, pull out the nail hole.”

 

1. PREMARITAL SEX has the inherent capability to weaken the character of the married person against future temptations. Therefore, the fallen person must make even more effort to avoid sinning.

—

When an unmarried person indulges in sex, it is called FORNICATION

ADULTERY is when a married person indulges in sex.

When two unmarried people indulge in sex, they are both FORNICATING.

When two married people indulge in sex with someone other than their spouse, they commit ADULTERY.

When an unmarried person indulges in sex with a married person, the unwedded person is FORNICATING. In comparison, the married person is committing ADULTERY.

Regardless of the sex escapade, the residual outcome is:

1. Permanent Sin Scar
2. Weaken in future.

There are also physical scars.

Invariably some kinds of anti-conception methods are adopted. However, physical contraceptives are not always preferred. Instead, some prefer a medical approach. The repercussion is that the body is systematically encouraged not to produce support hormones and such body requirements.  The result is that the body cannot readily conceive a child.

SIN is concerned with “THE HERE AND NOW ” and works beyond. – IT STRIVES FOR THE LOSS OF THE IMMORTAL SOUL.”

 

God Bless You.