Elephant in the Room — The Threat of Sin - Monday
Today’s Verse
James 1:14-15
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. (ESV)
Jesus famously said, “...the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and… the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life…” (Matthew 7:13-14). For Jesus and His earliest followers, there are two opposing paths before us at all times. One that leads to death (or destruction) and one that leads to life.
According to Jesus’ half-brother James, the path that leads to death begins with our own desires. I’m not sure about you, but that puts me on notice. If I’m understanding what he is putting down, at any given moment, I could have a seemingly innocuous desire that could be quietly charting a path to my own demise. That is a little unsettling.
What, then, do we do? How do we avoid the path of destruction and stay firm on the path that brings life? It is those questions that will drive each devotion this week, as we highlight one biblical practice each day to help us identify and overcome the sin in our lives.
Today’s practice is examination: inviting the Holy Spirit to make known to you any erroneous ways in your heart and/or life.
APPLICATION
Psalm 139:23-24 reads, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Here’s my invitation to you today: set aside 15 minutes at the end of the day (on your drive home from work, as you lie down for bed, etc.) to honestly pray this Psalm to your Heavenly Father. Review your day with Him and ask Him to reveal where you may have missed the mark in the activities of your day. Wait for God’s calming voice to respond. As moments of anger, ill-intention, lust, greed, jealousy, and so on come to your mind, write them down and thank Him for His kindness to reveal those things to you. Keep that list handy for tomorrow as we step into our next biblical practice for the week.
PRAYER
Father, thank You for Your loving kindness. Thank You for the gift of being aware of the ways I fall short of Your immeasurable goodness. Grant me the honest desire to become more like You in all my ways.