Two Truths & A Lie

Underestimating Our Understanding of Sin

Before the days of “The Price Is Right” and “Wheel of Fortune”, another TV game show ruled the American airwaves, it was called “Let’s Make A Deal”. The format for the iconic game was simple: A contestant would be offered something of value (say $1000) and then had to decide to keep it or exchange it for what was behind Door #1, Door #2, or Door #3. It could be a brand new car or a dream vacation, or it could be a zonk, a worthless nonsense prize, like a pack of gum.

So the host would give them the agonizing choice: keep their winnings or trade them for what’s behind the door. The crowd would roar with shouts of their confident guesses and the contestant would sit perplexed in a frantic puzzle. 

I know it sounds crazy, but I think we often see sin the same way. We’re faced with a temptation and we think, “Did God really say?” I know this is technically sinful but who is it really hurting? No one’s gonna know. God just doesn’t want me to have fun. He doesn’t want me to have what’s behind the door. 

But unlike the TV game show, God has graciously told us what’s behind the door. He hasn’t left us guessing or squirming on stage just to laugh at us when we choose incorrectly. 

So I want to present two truths and a lie about sin that I think God wants you to know today. I pray it will be beneficial for you. Here we go…

TRUTH #1: Sin Crouches
In the story of Cain and Abel, the first children of Adam and Eve, God lets us in on a truth about sin by telling us literally what’s behind the door.

Genesis 4:7 - “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

God senses the anger and jealousy boiling up in Cain’s heart. He gives him an incredibly insightful warning: “sin is crouching at your door”. 

He knows that if Cain continues to dwell on these raging emotions he will be overtaken. God is teaching Cain how sinful desires work. Sin by its very nature crouches, it makes itself look smaller than it really is. It’s the picture of sin disguising itself as an innocent, harmless kitten at our door, when in reality it’s a ferocious lion ready to pounce (1 Peter 5:8).

There’s a struggle in Cain’s conscience. He still has time to make the right choice. Repentance is still possible. Yet Cain ignores the warning light and does the unthinkable: he murders his own brother! 

There’s no way he thought his sin could get to that point. It was crouching, he never thought it was that big. It’s not just the power of sin, it’s our underestimation of it.

We have a strong tendency to underestimate sin, don’t we? We think it’s manageable. We’ve got it under control. It’s no big deal, we just need to “try harder” next time. But whether you realize it or not, sin wants to destroy you. John Owen famously said, “Be killing sin or it will be killing you”.

The good news is, every temptation is an opportunity for obedience. You are at the door. Whatever is on the other side is crouching, it’s more deadly than you realize. But you have an opportunity to choose obedience. Never give up what you want most for what you want in the moment.

TRUTH #2: Sin Disappoints
Sin not only crouches, it also disappoints...every time. By its very nature, sin over-promises and under-delivers. 

It promises pleasure, but brings shame and guilt. It promises fulfillment but delivers heartache and regret. Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and will cost you more than you want to pay. 

So why aren’t we able to resist? If we know the devil’s strategy, why do we fall for it and take the bait? James 1:12-15 gives us the answer: “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desires” James 1:14 

Like a fish mesmerized by a shiny piece of rubber we bite. We lust because the enticement is intoxicating. We gossip because it feels good. We’re greedy for money because of the satisfaction it promises. In the moment, the lure of that momentary pleasure is stronger than our desire to please God. Holiness sounds like boredom and purity feels like missing out on all the fun.

It may be that you’re currently being tempted by sin’s whisper, “I can give you more than God can.” Even though you know God’s goodness, you’re drawn to find security, comfort, peace, or acceptance elsewhere. Don’t do it. Sin never keeps its promises. 

One of the best scriptures to memorize regarding temptation is 1 Corinthians 10:31 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

THE LIE: Don’t Confess Your Sin
We’ve covered the two truths, now it’s time for the lie, and here’s how it goes: 

Whatever you do, under no circumstances, no matter what…don’t ever confess your sin. At least not the real ones. Share the simple, surface level, “I got mad at another car on the road” type confessions. But don’t share what you’re really struggling with, what you really did, what you really can’t stop doing.

It’s been said that we are only as sick as our secrets. Researchers say that most people are harboring at least 13 secrets. Secrets are detrimental to our health in innumerable ways, including physically. Sin desperately wants to stay hidden, to stay in the dark, because it knows that when it is brought to the light it becomes powerless.

The Bible presents two avenues for confession. First, we confess our sins to God. 1 John 1:9, “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Second, we confess to other believers, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

For many of us, we stop at confessing to God. We know He is kind and gracious. We know He is eager to forgive. But we doubt our Christian brothers and sisters will be, too.

Man, if there is one thing that I think would radically transform our spiritual growth, it’s learning to confess our sin. God has given us this gift and we leave it unopened. I’ve experienced this by developing regular times of confession with a group of trusted friends who have held me accountable, prayed for me, and encouraged me. It’s life-changing.

Perspective Shift
So what are you going to do the next time a temptation is before you? Will you make the most of the opportunity? A mentor of mine used to say, “resisting temptation is the P90X to looking more like Jesus!”

(If you don’t remember P90X, just think CrossFit, Peloton, or whatever the latest fitness fad is). Resisting temptation is like resistance training. We get stronger. Our faith grows. We are able to stand firm just like Jesus did when he was tempted in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13). 

We’re not defenseless against the sin crouching at our door. We don’t have to fall for the lure of sin’s promises. And we can take God up on His invitation to confess our sin. 

Through Jesus’s death and resurrection, the penalty of sin has been taken care of. Through the Holy Spirit living in us, the power of sin can be overpowered as we are sanctified. And one day, the presence of sin will be completely removed from our world. Take heart, we have a God who will help us choose the right door.

Evan Wehrle
Young Adults Pastor