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When Sin Creeps Up Behind You


Many years ago, I received the following question: “Lately, I haven’t had trouble staying away from sin, and I want it to stay that way. Usually when I hit a high point like this, I get lazy and screw up again. It often seems that sin will creep up behind me, and then there I am having to deal with it and try to get back to where I left off. Could you give me advice to avoid falling into that pattern again?”

Regarding prospective sin, keep your mind and heart on Christ, not on the temptation or weakness.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:14).

For more advice on this topic, read my How to Be a Strong Christian: Walking in the Light blog post series.

Comments

t d m said…
Fellowship, prayer, meditation, etc. Remember when Sister in 8th grade (and in the show The Music Man: said: "the idle brain is the devil's playgound." ? You will grow, even when / if / you fall. Step outside of yourself and reflect about your own reflection regarding what it is you are planning on sinning about. The Spanish word for Nevertheless is "sin embargo." We hope to never sin, or at least sin less. We have an embargo act on sinning...so we either never sin, or sin less.

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