Sin is a Process

Daily Devotional – Thursday, February 8, 2024
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
Psalms 1:1 (NKJV)

“I don’t know how it happened. I just found myself in the mess.”
“I did not intend to kill him. It was a moment of uncontrollable anger. I grabbed the knife from him, and before I knew it, I had stabbed him.”
“The devil made me do it!”

The Progression of Evil

These and related statements reveal that we tend to believe that sin is a momentary happening, something unplanned, hence excusable. The Bible, though, teaches otherwise. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” (Psalms 1:1).

Notice the sequence of verbs in this statement: walks, stands, and sits. Sin is a process, not an event. If you realize you are walking into sin, you can turn the other way. However, if you decide to stop, you might end up sitting with the ungodly.

Sin is a Process

When we entertain sinful thoughts and place ourselves in situations where Satan can tempt us, we can only blame ourselves if we fall. James expounds: “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:14-15).

Which sin clings so closely to you? Which thought patterns and habits do you think are contributing to your predicament? Are there people and places you need to keep away from in order to loosen the grip of sin on your life? Ask Jesus for power to interrupt the process of sin in your life because only He can give you victory.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, reveal to me the triggers of sin in my life and help me to break the chains that enslave me to evil.

For more insights, read How to Avoid the Gullies of Sin in Your Life