"...Sin demands to have a man by himself. It withdraws him from the community. The more isolated the person is, the more destructive will be the power of sin over him, and the more deeply he becomes involved in it, the more disastrous is his isolation. Sin wants to remain unknown. In confession the light of the Gospel breaks into the darkness and seclusion of the heart. The sin must be brought into the light. The unexpressed must be openly spoken and acknowledged. All that is secret and hidden is manifest.... Since the confession of sin is made in the presence of a Christian brother, the last stronghold of self-justification is abandoned. The sinner surrenders.... He gives up his heart to God and he finds forgiveness of all sin in the fellowship of sinners who live by the grace of God in the Cross of Jesus Christ."
Have you ever done something that you knew was wrong but you kept doing it? Maybe you were worldly and did not look at it as 'sin' but you knew it was wrong. We felt the conviction and guilt but tried to justify it to yourself and others, if they knew. Typically, we keep our wrong doing (sins) in the dark, or secret, to avoid having to defend our wrongness. Maybe it is addictions, substance abuse, sexual sins, foul language, gossip, slander, anger, hatred... All are sinful behavior because you cannot have darkness and light in one vessel. You choose which one to house.
This first came to light (pun intended) when my kids were little. They avoided me when they were being bad. Once they were grown, that didn't change. They avoided calling or visiting me when they were involved with something or someone bad. They knew I would see the difference, that something was up, but more so, they knew that I would address it. (Expose it, if you will.)
John 3:20: "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed."
The same goes for me. When I knew that I was doing something wrong, I stayed at arm's length from God. (I had no one else to be accountable to.) I talked the talk about being a Christian, but did not live it. I felt distant from Him and alone in my darkness. At times, I would cry out for help and plead with God to take it from me. He never failed to be there if I sincerely repented AND removed the sin from my life. You cannot ask for help then keep on sinning. That isn't how it works. If you ask in all sincerity, it will be given.
Matthew 7: 7-8: "Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one
who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
Each time, by the strength and grace of the Holy Spirit, I was able to renounce the sin and move past it, I felt such a peace. I knew that Christ had intervened on my behalf and by His grace and mercy, I was restored. Now that doesn't mean that I was free from struggles and future temptation. Even Christ was tested. As long as we are human and we live in the world, we will be tested. So how do we overcome?
Ephesians 6:10-13: "Finally,
be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the
full armor of God,so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For
our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,
against the authorities, against the powersof this dark world and against
the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on
the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able
to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
Steps to peace:
1) Have you accepted Christ as your savior? Find out here: http://www.cbn.com/stepstopeace/
2) Press into God. Read the bible and gather your knowledge from His words on sin, You would be surprised how much of the bible can help you find peace and be filled with love.
3) Prayer. Pray on your hands and knees. Pray (talk) to Him during your day, for tough decisions, to be free of temptation and for strength when it does come. Please understand that we can do all things with the Holy Spirit inside of us. Let Him fill you with the love of the Holy Spirit.
4) Fellowship with others who are of like mind. Find a church near you and become an active member. (As opposed to a sleeper cell, like I used to be.) The difference is one of the heart. Ask Christ where He wants you to go to church. Ask how involved He wants you to be in the church. Initiate friendships. Attend bible study.
1 Peter 5:6- 11: "Humble
yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time
he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he
cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary
the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist
him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are
being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after
you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you
to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm,
strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and
ever. Amen."
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