Yesterday I wrote about the progression of spiritual problems found in James 1.
“But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dearly loved brothers.” [James 1:14-16 HCSB]
Entertaining temptation, allowing our own fleshly desires to draw us away, does not have a good outcome. It is like a row of dominos falling, one after another, ending in sin and death.
How do we reverse that progression? The Apostle John gave us that answer in his first letter – it is repentance. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [1John 1:9 HCSB]
Repentance and confession before God bring forgiveness and cleansing. (The dominos are upright once again.) But may I add something here, repentance, while it is an act that should immediately follow transgression, is also a lifestyle for the Christian. It KEEPS us as well as RESTORES us.
It is responding immediately to that nudge of the Holy Spirit which warns that we are just a bit off center, and we must turn back to our Savior and LORD before we “entertain” the temptation placed before us. Repentance keeps us on the narrow road.
LORD, may we ever heed Your Spirit in us. Help us live our lives in an atmosphere of repentance. Amen
