Sin is Delicious

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sin is delicious. I wish it weren’t so, but it is.

Just this past weekend I almost dug brownies out of the garbage can. The willpower I had to toss them in the trash at 6pm was completely gone at 10:30pm and I wanted those brownies in the worst way. Who cares that I’d have to rummage through the garbage can outside with a flashlight? So what if I had to scrape a few coffee grounds off of them? I thought, Tomorrow, I’ll resume my “eating plan”, but tonight, I’m bingeing on brownies! If Mr. 4-Ever hadn’t caught me in the act, I’m sure I would have written this blog with fingers covered in gooey chocolate.

I never meant for this to happen. 

I work with so many women who get caught up in things they never dreamed would hook them.

• Prescription drugs.
• Alcohol.
• Lies and deceptions.
• Overspending and debt.
• Co-dependancy.
• Pornography.
• Abusive relationships. 

Harmless sin

Sin wraps itself up in what looks harmless or helpful or inviting, like the man who is kind to you on a rough day … or the 

• Prescription that numbs the pain.
• Images on your computer screen that take you away from real life.
• Sleeve of cookies that comforts in the midst of conflict.
• Adorable, but expensive dress you cannot afford, but put on your credit card.
• Titillating words in the romance novel that sweep you into fantasy.
  
• Glass of wine with dinner that turns in to three or four.

Or … you get the idea.

Sin sneaks in and tastes so good.

Pretty soon, you’re back for another nibble and another and another. Before you know it, all you can think about is the sensation of it. The fear of being found out escalates. The fear of being rejected or judged for what you’re sampling sends you into a panic. Pretty soon, you feel trapped.

Trapped. 

You feel GUILT for the sin and you feel FEAR of being discovered. You just can’t let anyone know you were that gullible or that foolish or so arrogant to believe you could handle a taste and not get hooked. You feel trapped in the sin and trapped by the consequences.

Believing
THE BIG LIE …
that there is no way out.

Forgiving yourself is the hardest forgiveness to grant.

We women readily forgive naughty children, wandering husbands, intrusive neighbors and even the inflictors of pain and tragedy. It seems we have the capacity for compassion and understanding for others when lapses in judgement happen.

We have mercy for everyone … except ourselves.

Maybe you’re feeling trapped right now, and you don’t see a way out.

Can I just remind you, Sweet Friend, that Jesus didn’t just die for the little sins you can live with. He didn’t just die for the sins you can manage to forgive yourself for.

Jesus died for the huge stinky atrocities that make you feel so rotten that you believe you deserve whatever trap you find yourself in.

There is a way out.

Freedom requires the courage to confess the sin or addiction or behavior specifically. (1 John 1:9)
Tell God you’re done with it. (Acts 3:19)
Ask him to take away the urge and blockade the path to another nibble. (2 Cor. 5:17)
Receive God’s forgiveness. (John 3:16-17)
And forgive yourself.

Jesus, our crucified Savior has risen victorious over sin and death. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. Believe he extends that gift to you, today. Receive it for yourself and spring the trap open for good. 

Prayer: Jesus, I know you not die so I would live condemned in this world. Lord forgive me. Lead me to freedom or to someone who can help me break free. I need you. I need help. I want a different life than this. In Your Name I pray. Amen.

 

*Not her real name.