Guard Against Sin – 1 Peter 1:14

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance…

Insidious and brutal, hovering by the door in wait, watching for the smallest opening, sin lurks. Given an opportunity to associate with its prey, sin arrives with gifts, offering pleasure, possessions, or power, while it slowly, furtively clouds its host’s sight, shutting out the light that leads to sanctifying growth in Jesus Christ. It does not come as would a gentleman and quietly take its corner, content to reside alongside whatsoever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy.  Rather, it lusts for its host’s entire being. Its voracious appetite is insatiable and its passion to devour and destroy holiness and beauty is extreme.[1] Gaining a fingerhold, sin manipulates and deceives its victims until it gains a stronghold, ultimately possessing them, hardening their hearts, rendering them spiritually blind, and destroying them.

Therefore, keep up your guard against sin lest it mesmerize you with its charms, leaving you unable to discern truth from lies.  Though a transgression may seem innocuous, wisdom instructs us not to flirt with sin and to cede it no territory. We are to be diligent in our resistance of it, confessing our dalliances with it to the Lord, and receiving the healing and cleansing He promises to those who lay their sins before Him with a repentant heart.[2]

Heed the Word, and do not take up the sins of your former life again, for Jesus Christ, by His truth, delivered you from that which formerly enslaved you.[3] Do not conform to the ways of the world, for those who do become hostile to God.  Rather, resist all that is not of God, giving the Lord free reign to transform you more closely into Jesus’ likeness.[4] As one called by His excellence and dwelling in His divine nature, live a godly life and carry out His good, perfect, and acceptable will.[5]

Stand as a soldier guarding the city on high alert against sin, and allow the sanctifying work of the Spirit to purify your heart, mind, and soul as you walk as one worthy to be Jesus’ disciple.[6]

He knocked one night upon Mind’s door

            Intriguing were the gifts he bore

            Lust nodded a lethargic yawn

            But he’d soon eager visions spawn

            For he had baited well his lure

               Of that he had made very sure

            The talk seemed harmless to the host

            Just skimming on forbidden coasts

            So slight no one could feel the change

            Or sense that he brought something strange

            The guards were absent from their post

               Not on alert when needed most

            The house had long past been swept clean

            Of occupations of the fiend

            Greed turned and rose now from his bed

            And Temper lifted up his head

            But not offensive did it seem

               Unless one’s sense was very keen

            The Sword was polished not of late

            And rust was found on Armor’s plate

            A slight erosion in the wall

            Allowed to grow did speed the fall

            And how attractive now the bait

                A weakened Will would seal their fate

            It seems a different place today

            Not one where Joy would choose to stay

            He and his friends therein entrenched

            And from this place they’ll not be wrenched

            To think it once had known the Way

               This house today so bleak and gray

[1] 1 Peter 5:8

[2] 1 John 1:9

[3] Ephesians 4:20-24

[4] Romans 12:1-2

[5] 2 Peter 1:3

[6] 1 Peter 1:2