You Shall Not Pass

I remember when I was a kid my parents always told me to never put my finger in a light socket. They told me that it was for my own good and that it was very dangerous, but for the life of me I couldn’t understand why. I think them telling me this only increased my fascination and I was determined to find out what was so treacherous about putting your finger in that little hole. You see the difference between my parents and I was all I saw was a little metal hole that didn’t look scary at all. My parents on the other hand saw volts of electricity, harm and danger. Well all of my suspicions and curiosity was laid to rest one day when I decided to stick my thumb into the empty light socket of the freezer and succumb to the temptation. For the next, what seemed like an eternity, but probably minute I stood there frozen. The electricity coursing through my body immobilized me and I had to cry out for someone to come unplug me. Often times this is exactly what sin is like in our lives. Although many people around us tell us of the dangers we turn a deaf ear because we don’t see it for what it really. Instead of seeing something dangerous, we see something fascinating, something almost sweetly calling our name. How do we overcome and make a stand against the light sockets in our lives. That is what I want to speak to you about this morning.

Recognize sin for what it is (vs.5-8)

We live in a society that has basically tried to do away with absolute truth and replaced it with situational ethics and human rights. On top of that sinful things are more accessible today then they have ever been. Pleasure and self-indulgence are encouraged and the things of the ‘flesh’ have been elevated to equal happiness and success. Sin has been candy coated, which isn’t a new thing really. What we need to understand is that no matter what picture we are given of sin by society we cannot be fooled. Sin is not a simple mistake, an oops, it is direct hostility towards everything that God is. If you are controlled by your sins then there is death. Now just for clarity sake let’s define what sin is.

Definition of Sin: Transgression of divine law; a wilful or deliberate violation of some godly principle.

Something that often helps me is when I can visualize what people are trying to describe to me. Recently one of the most popular children’s book collections were made into blockbuster movies called ‘The Lord of the Rings’. Has anyone ever heard of them? I want to show you a clip from one of the movies this morning to illustrate what sin really is. Please understand that I am trying to make a point so don’t think I am trying to bring something evil into the church. Often times when we see sin we see it as this:

• A kitten – non-threatening, cute, huggable…

• Things – we are material girls in a material world right

• Money – never enough, everyone wants more, biggest

measure of success in our society

• Sex – the lust for physical pleasures, it sells!

• Balrog – THIS IS SIN! (Balrog) evil, destructive,

threatening, painful, and ultimately out to ruin you for eternity.

We must see that sin is not about one little momentary pleasure or fancy, but the enemy of our souls making an effort to keep us weak, wounded and useless for the Kingdom. 1 Peter 5:8 “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.” We must be vigilant and guard ourselves from sin. We must take a stand, which you would if you always looked at it as threatening and dangerous. There is nothing fascinating about something that wants you dead.

Realize we can win (vs.9-12)

Once you can recognize sin for what it is then you can see how, through Jesus, you can defeat sin. When you have given rule of your life over to Jesus then you are no longer a slave to sin. It does not control you and you do not have to give in to your impulses and desires. The Spirit now controls you, but not in the way that a robot is controlled. When you have God in your life you have the option to take a stand for what is right and beat sin in your life. What you will soon realize as a Christian is that temptation still comes even after salvation. There are still things that you will find a struggle to overcome.