July 1, 2026
What is Sin?
Life offers many temptations and shiny objects. They lure us through our desires, greed and emotions. The Ten Commandments are easy when compared to other sins. Our sins of judgment and criticism, turning against even loved ones because they do not agree with us morally or politically. Better to read the Word and choose to love, no matter what. God never said we should love others as ourselves only if they agree with us on every issue. Failing at God’s second most important commandment is going to take many people straight to hell.
Every day we are tempted to sin, to follow desires of the flesh and things designed to lead us away from God. If we believe God is the force for good, we must accept there is also a force for evil or bad. Only the foolish ignore God and choose to follow the enemy. It never ends well! Once we accept that we are human and born in sin we realize how desperately we need God.
It is oddly comforting to know even the Apostle Paul struggled with sin. I often make promises to God that I will refuse to feel envious, judgmental, be offended or give in to anger. And often as soon as I speak it out, I fail. Again. It takes great focus and discipline to change our human behavior.
I feel I have matured in this arena, to some degree. However, just reading what it is like to be unsaved is scary. I cling to God’s promises that if we repent all is forgiven. And once we repent, only foolish arrogance allows us to sin like that again. I struggle each day to do good and pray for others.
The Bible is clear we are called to love others as we love ourselves. Luke 10:27, “27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
Try to convince a young adult they should live that truth. Young adulthood is a time of competition, races, job search, grades, love triangles; it’s a bare-knuckled fight from sunup to sundown. Why? Because we listen to our culture, we buy into a world of strife and struggle. Then, once the hormones and the fear of missing out begin to lose their grip, we finally hear God. We stop the insanity. And we wonder why we didn’t do it sooner. God’s goal for us is calm enjoyment of our lives as we learn to live by Kingdom principles.
God has blessed mankind from the beginning. We continue to show Him how self serving we are. Talking ourselves out of the garden of Eden was a harbinger of our disservice to ourselves.
Father God, Please help me remember to keep the promises I make to you. Your words are always true and You never forget the vows You’ve made to us. Your Word is a manual for a life of service, success and mentorship. Thank You for the joy and serenity I feel when I continue reading the Bible daily and when I walk and talk with You throughout my day. throughout my day. Your way of life is blessing upon blessing. Seeing my contentment has caused many people to ask where my joy comes from. Happily many have chosen to follow You.
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15