I have been studying the mortification of sin in the flesh through the Holy Spirit. I am participating in a “blog study” of John Owen’s Of The Mortification Of Sin In The Believer being facilitated by Tim Challies at his blogsite Challies Dot Com This study got me to thinking about how God feels about sin.
Now, I know the Bible teaches that God will not look on sin. I say will not, because God has chosen to not look on sin - He could if He so desired, but as a righteous and holy God, He does not. My grandfather used to always say that “lies don’t come in colors, and sins don’t come in sizes.” My grandfather was right; but did you know the Bible teaches there are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him? Now, I’m not saying that some sins are “bigger” than others. I’m not saying God sees different sins differently. I’m just saying He inspired the writers of Proverbs (most likely King Solomon) to make known some that He detests! (NASB says they are an ABOMINATION to Him!)
Here is Proverbs 6:16-19, as written in the Holman Christian Standard Bible:
16 Six things the Lord hates; in fact, seven are detestable to Him:
17 arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil,
19 a lying witness who gives false testimony,
and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.
Okay, so that’s 1.) Arrogant eyes 2.) A lying tongue 3.) Hands that shed innocent blood 4.) A heart that plots wicked schemes 5.) Feet eager to run to evil 6.) A lying witness who gives false testimony and 7.) One who stirs up trouble among brothers.
So, one who is arrogant (haughty), one who lies in general, one who murders (this says ‘hands’, but in the NT, Jesus says we also murder with our tongue, so I’m thinking this may cover gossips), one who hatches schemes (would this be manipulation of people and truths?), one who can’t wait to help cause trouble or run to evil, someone who lies for another and one who provokes trouble among people…..
Does this sound like anyone you’ve “written off” as lost? Does this sound like anyone you know that professes to be a believer? Does this, IN THE FLESH, sound like YOU? Because I’d be lying if I didn’t say right here and now that this IS me without Christ! Without Christ I am NOTHING - all caps, no holds barred!! The Bible even says it is so.
Even Paul struggled with his flesh. He writes to the church in Rome about this struggle. (See Rom 7:15-20) He does not do what he wants to do, but does the very things he hates. This is why mortification of sin is so important. Believers are sinners saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone! Our flesh is still corrupt - rotting, stinking, corrupt man-flesh. Now, here comes two of my favorite words….. But God! Upon His ascension, Jesus left us the Holy Spirit to be our helper until His return. The Holy Spirit will help us mortify our sin. 1Corinthians 10:13 tells us that “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. [But] God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond you ability, but with the temptation He [God] will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
That way is the Holy Spirit. The believer just needs to listen, focus and obey. This is not something we can do on our own - remember the nothing without Christ? Don’t let satan fool you into thinking you can handle it yourself. Don’t let satan fool you that your sin can be hidden. Don’t let satan trick you into believing that what you know to be sinful is really an instrument from God. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Mortify your sin through this wonderful Helper - who is part of the Trinity.
Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings. I hope you will consider what I’ve said. I pray you, if you are a believer, will mortify your sins through the Holy Spirit. I pray you will stop self-destructing, stop fooling yourself into thinking what you are doing is right, when you know it is sinful. I pray you will listen to that still small voice that resides inside you. It was a gift from Christ to help you until He comes back to reign on Earth.
Consider joining the reading/commenting that is happening on Challies Dot Com There is a chapter summary every Thursday. We are just now reading Chapter Four of fourteen chapters.
Remember, there are seven things that are detestable [an abomination] to Him. And they are things that believers are falling into more and more……
Do you really want to continue living like that?
In Him,
R.
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