Flee from Sin

One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a pastor is meeting with people for lunch or coffee to hear what God is doing in their lives.  I gain so much from our conversations because I get to see God moving and working in the context of everyday life.  Yesterday I met with another pastor in the area.  We were talking about everything under the sun.  We started where most pastors start, with the ever vague and open ended question, “how are things at your church?”.  We went from there to talking about staff and then to computers.  From there we talked about the Trinity which we are both currently studying. Then we got to the good stuff.  We talked about sin.  We spoke of the weight that we feel because we are called to lead people away from sin yet we find ourselves caught up in it ourselves.  During our conversation my pastor friend said something that was so simple I almost dismissed it without a second thought.  Yet it was very Biblical and practical and helpful.  Sometimes we need to hear the simple things just to jog our memory and make us look again at something that is so obvious that we overlook it in search for a more complicated and compelling answer.  So, I want to pass on to you what he told me and then evaluate it Biblically.

      As I was telling him of my fear of falling a disqualifying myself from the ministry that was given to me, he said “we just need to distance ourselves from whatever is tempting us.”  Most people reading this may think….yeah, and…but this struck me as being great advise.  Here is the reason, sin is described in the Bible as a villain lying in wait in order to attack and control its victim (Gen 4:3).  Sin is also attributed to a specific enemy, Satan (the devil).  1 Pet. 5:8 warns us Be sober-minded;  be watchful. Your  adversary the devil  prowls around  like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Scripture also tells us that we are equipped to fight against sin (Eph 6:10-20).  It is good to know how to fight sin when we are faced with it, but Scripture also suggests that we avoid sin.  1 Cor 6:18 instructs us to flee sexual immorality, 10:14 flee idolatry, 2 Tim 2:22 says flee youthful passions.  This was the simple advise of my friend.  It got me to thinking that I am often too passive about sin.  There are times when I am aware of things that could lead me down a path of sin, but I allow them to remain because they are not a problem right now.  I am thankful for our little talk yesterday.  It woke me up to the fact that I need to be active in fighting and avoiding sin. Genesis 4:7 warns us that “If you do well, will you not be accepted?  And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door.  Its desire is for  you, but you must rule over it.”  I thank God that he has given me everything that I need to fight, avoid, and even rule over sin by providing victory over it through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. 

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