03/10/2008: "Keeping Tabs"
- Genesis 4:6-7.
Desire. What does it mean to you? What does it mean to me? Desire covers a whole multitude of things, whether referring to an intense sexual want or even simply wishing for something. How can a word mean so much good and also pertain to so much evil? What I want to talk about today is keeping tabs on your desires. Because in all reality, sin doesn't start when you make a move or take an action but it starts from within, from your mind and your thoughts.
I would say that for the most part, I am a good person or at least, I am trying to be a good person. I don't smoke or drink in excess. I don't set bad examples for others who are watching me or waiting for me to screw up. I'm not perfect; no one is. However, there is always something that will haunt you. Something that will always try to pull you back into the person you used to be, the person you're trying so hard to change from. It says in verse 7,"Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." The way I take this verse is that it's not only us who have problems with desire and wanting or wishing for something we don't have but Satan desires us as well; sin desires to conquer us. If we don't keep tabs on what we're doing, we risk falling prey to that sin.
Be aware of what your true desires are. If they are in God's will and grace, may you soon be blessed as you grow stronger in Christ. But if you see that they are not right with God, be aware that sin first starts within you. If you don't take notice of these dark desires and conquer them, you will soon be facing a lot of trouble and danger. While it is hard to tell yourself no, just be aware that God is there to help you and Jesus did bear your burdens on the cross so that you might live to see another day. You are not alone in your struggles but that doesn't mean that it's all up to Jesus to save you from yourself. It takes teamwork. You have to open the door before Jesus can come in and work miracles in your life.