When Sin Becomes Repugnant

Daily Devotional – Friday, July 8, 2022

Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations.
Ezekiel 36:31 (NKJV)

A friend and I were discussing how one feels before and after committing sin. When the temptation to sin is high, the mind seems to shut down and feelings take control. In a moment of anger or lust, one descends the precipice of evil rapidly.

Later, the fiery emotions dissipate. We are left with profound regret and overbearing guilt. Often, we look back and wonder why we rebelled against God. However, unless we realize the enormity of sin, we risk relapsing.

You Will Remember and Loathe Your Evil Ways

In Ezekiel 36, God predicted that the Israelites would experience this type of overwhelming guilt after years of rebellion. He would bring the Jews from captivity and institute a spiritual revival (Ezekiel 36:26-27).

Then, God would bless the land and take away their embarrassment:
“And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations.” (Verse 30).

The result? “Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations.” (Verse 31).

When we reflect on God’s dealings with us, we will loathe ourselves because our sins crucified Jesus. We will feel guilty because God keeps running after us while we rebel against Him.

The closer we come to the sinless Jesus, the more we realize how far we had wondered from Him and how desperately we need His saving grace. Unless this happens, we risk being self-righteous ingrates.

Prayer
Dear Lord, teach me to loathe sin and to love righteousness.