The deceitfulness of sin
“Be attentive, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, and you depart from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:12-13
There are two sides to sin. It has been put away (Heb. 9:26) through the sacrificial death of Jesus, but it is also still active and tempts us. The book of Hebrews is written to people of faith and speaks of Jesus’ priceless and wonderful victory over sin for us, but also offers advice and warnings regarding sin. Jesus’ work in the lives of believers is powerful and brings freedom and joy, but we still need to be vigilant. The New Testament speaks so much about the finished work of Jesus and the mighty victory He won for us and it is worth studying until it fills one’s heart. But we must not forget the warnings.
Sin brings some pleasure (Hebr. 11:25) but it is only evil and destructive. Its origin is from the devil himself and it was our sin that made Jesus have to suffer so immensely and die for us. So flirting with sin instead of hating it causes our love relationship with Jesus to cool. Then, of course, sin brings problems, both for the person who sins and for those around them. Sin affects human relationships destructively. Unsolved sin also numbs the conscience step by step and eventually causes one to lose judgment altogether.
People today are intoxicated by sin just as one becomes intoxicated by alcohol. A drunk person can do the most horrible things and lose their judgment. When you talk to people about eternity, heaven and hell, and they don’t care about the salvation of their souls, it is because they are drunk. The judgment is not there. One chooses to continue sinning for the sake of short pleasure and thus guarantees the eternal destruction of one’s soul and torment in hell. A sober person would never do that. It takes the conviction of God’s word and God’s Spirit about sin, to penetrate through the hardened conscience and bring with it sobriety and clear judgment so that instead of trying to explain away the seriousness of one’s sin, one instead repents and asks God for forgiveness.
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who was in every sense tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let us then come with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15-16
Being tempted is not a sin. All living people are tempted, even Jesus was. The question is what you do with the temptation. Do you fall for it or do you run to Jesus for help?
Life with Jesus is real. Jesus is mighty to give strength and counsel. He cares and nothing is too difficult and complicated for Him, nor is anything too small and insignificant for Jesus. The question is whether we keep our relationship with Jesus alive. Do we read His wonderful words? To read the Bible is to let Jesus speak into your life and His will becomes clear to you. In the Bible we see what is sin and we also see the way forward together with Jesus. Practicing what we read is an expression of our love for Jesus and pleasing Him.
“Jesus answered him, “If a man loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our home with him.” John 14:23
So let us continue to remind one another of Jesus’ priceless victory but also exhort one another not to be deceived by the deceitfulness of sin.
If you have unsolved sin in your life, go immediately to Jesus and confess your sin and ask for forgiveness. It is wonderfully amazing to have a clear conscience. It transcends wealth and honor. Keep your conscience sensitive and clear.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
God bless you.