"Power of Sin"

We just don't seem to grasp what sin is. Many know what sinful acts are but not sin. Sin is the cause of sinful acts! Sin is a power that controls a person from within. That's why some live in a constant state of misery because they are controlled by sin and many times do not even realize it.

Paul spoke plainly about this in Romans 7. (He is trying to show the Law of Moses could not overcome sin.) Sin took control of him, even through the Law of God (v.7-8). The end result? Paul said he did not understand what was happening. He was utterly confused (v.15). How did he know? He wanted to practice what was right, had that desire to practice what was right but kept doing things wrongly (v.19). That's why he was confused. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever tried really hard to do the right thing only to do the wrong thing? That can be frustrating. But more importantly, we need to understand why it happens. The harder he seemed to try, the more he failed. Finally, he came to the right conclusion: "But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which indwells me." (v.19) Right there...it was sin dwelling within the middle of his being. He wanted to do right but kept doing the very evil he hates (v.21). The mind was clear and knew what he needed to do but in his body, he was practicing something else (v.23). In fact, he agreed with the law of God that God was right and His ways were righteous (v.22). But the battle was being lost in his practice! Where did it leave him? "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?" (v.24) He found himself 'wretched'. He was worn out. He tried and tried to do right but found himself failing and failing again. The hardest thing to realize for most is that sin is powerful and dwells within people and there is no amount of positive thinking or gimmicks that will solve this problem!

Have you found yourself in the endless battle of wanting to do the right thing but doing the wrong thing? How frustrating is it? If it continues, it will finally erode away one's desire to even try anymore. No one may ever know your inner turmoil but you do. It will finally lead you to the conclusion of, "What's the use?" People who suddenly walk away from the Lord or do something that is so 'ungodly' and it shocks us as to why. They may be an elder or deacon, a bible teacher, a preacher or what we thought as a strong member and they are gone. Why? They have finally succumb to this power called sin that has been working in their lives for a long time and it finally defeated them. People get trapped in pornography or drinking, knowing the wrongs of it and swearing to themselves they will never do it again only to find themselves doing it again. I am not speaking of accidental sin! I am speaking of being overcome over and over by the same sin, ending up in the same place every time except each time we lose something within our spiritual being. Have you ever heard someone say, "I know it's wrong but I can't help myself!"? That's the power of sin and it will deceive you and control you.

"Who will set me free from the body of this death?" That's the question we need to ask! It is a body of death. The answer: "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Only in Christ can one find the power to overcome! First, one must be in Christ (through baptism). Secondly, one must be sincere in their walk with Him, leaning on His power to do the right thing. Too many are trying to do things by themselves, their own ability and power. Sin will take them down every time!

To grit your teeth, pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps to do what is right is not the aim in our lives! If knowing what is right were the basic issue, we would all have it made! Only in and through Christ can one overcome sins power of operating within our beings! That's why we must die (Rom. 6). How's your relationship to Jesus?