Breaking the Bondage of Sin

Mark Dunagan
04/06/14 - Sunday Evening

Breaking the Hold

We Understand Sin

Just watching the news or reading a book on history would reveal that sin is a universal problem (Romans 3:23). A few might deny its existence but such is only putting ones head in the sand. The problem of sin, evil or wickedness is an oft discussed topic, from ancient to modern times as mankind seeks to grapple with this universal problem. Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Sin is not hurtful because it is forbidden, but it is forbidden because it is hurtful. Nor is a duty beneficial because it is commanded, but it is commanded because it is beneficial”.  “An act of injustice is condemned, not because the law is broken, but because a person has been hurt” (Abraham Joshua Heschel). “Where is Hollywood located? Chiefly between the ears. In that part of the American brain lately vacated by God” (Erica Jong).

Yet We Don’t Understand It At Times

Yes, we can see sin in ourselves (Romans 7:24), yet there are many times that we refuse to see it. “More people would learn from their mistakes if they weren't so busy denying they had made them” (Anonymous). “The fool mistakes power for virtue, acclaim for merit, nonconformity for dangerousness, conviction for truth, revenge for justice, license for liberty, and kindness for weakness” (Anonymous). This is a common problem for those who don’t read the Scriptures, what they condemn in others, they admire in themselves. Yet we can see the damage that rebellion against God does in the life of the sinner (Proverbs 13:15,21).  “If it be true that men are miserable because they are wicked, it is likewise true that many are wicked because they are miserable” (Samuel Taylor Coleridge). In fact, there are times that people have told us their life story just to warn us to take another route (Proverbs 5:14).

We are Informed

In the early chapters of Genesis God recorded for our benefit how the devil worked on Eve and that He will attempt to use the same tools against us (1 John 2:15-17). James informs us that long before the actual act, there is the straying of the emotions and the mind, “but each one is tempted when and enticed by his own lust” (James 1:13). “My will was perverse and lust had grown from it, and when I gave in to lust habit was born, and when I did not resist the habit it became a necessity. These were the links which together formed what I have called my chain, and it held me fast in the duress of servitude” (St. Augustine). As a result there are many exhortations to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23), track down and round up wrong thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5) and dwell on good things, of which there are so many (Philippians 4:8).  

“If you’re serious about defeating temptation you must manage your mind and monitor your media intake…choose carefully what you think about. The more you think about something, the stronger it takes hold of you… Since temptation always begins with a thought, the quickest way to neutralize its allure is to turn your attention to something else… change the channel of your mind and get interested in another idea…Temptation begins by capturing your attention. What gets your attention arouses your emotions. Then your emotions activate your behavior and you act on what you felt…Satan can’t get your attention when your mind is preoccupied with something else” (Rick Warren).

The Mental Danger Zones

• Self Pity

It is tempting to think that self-pity is the result of a lack of self worth.  But I have found that often self-pity is rooted in overvaluing ourselves.  That is, we feel sorry for ourselves because we think special exemptions, allowances and immunities should be placed around us because of who we are.  Yet it is very hard to feel sorry for myself when I focus on Jesus’ love for me (Romans 5:6).

• Anger
• Selfishness
• Becoming Critical of the Church

In my many years as a Christian I have seen people fall away but they first had to convince themselves that it was someone else’s fault that they quit. So they started looking for someone or something to blame.

• Feeling Frustrated, Depressed, Under Appreciated
• Running to sin for temporary comfort, instant gratification.
• Here and now thinking. Thinking that this world is all there is: Matthew 6:32-33
• Starting to believe what the world says.
• Lying to myself, saying something like, “just this once”.
• Allowing others to be our authority instead of God: 1 Corinthians 15:33
• Allow the world to flatter us.
• Allowing myself to become hardened and cynical: Ephesians 4:17
• Hanging around temptation. 2 Timothy 2:22
• Thinking that God will change His mind.
• Thinking that we won’t die for a long time.
• Thinking there is no urgency to change or repent: 2 Peter 3:4

Another View of Temptation

“Every temptation is an opportunity to do good. On the path to spiritual maturity, even temptation becomes a stepping-stone rather than a stumbling block when you realize that it is just as much an occasion to do the right thing as it is to do the wrong thing. Temptation simply provides the choice... Character development always involves a choice, and temptation provides that opportunity... In step one, Satan identifies a desire inside you... Temptation starts when Satan suggests (with a thought) that you give in to an evil desire, or that you fulfill a legitimate desire in a wrong way or at the wrong time. Always be aware of shortcuts. They are often temptations! Step two is doubt. Satan tries to get you to doubt what God has said about the sin: Is it really wrong? Step three is deception...” You can get away with it.” “No one will ever know.” “It will solve your problem.” “...everyone else is doing it.” “It is only a little sin...” Step four is disobedience... What began as an idea gets birthed into behavior... The moment you became God’s child, Satan, like a mobster hit man, put out a “contract” on you. You are his enemy, and he’s plotting your downfall” (Rick Warren).

Be Honest About the Cost

• Bondage and Slavery: John 8:34
• Misery, pain, regret, shame. Psalm 32; 1 Peter 4:1ff; Romans 1:21ff
• What happened to us — “becoming”: Ephesians 2:1-3
• The Personal Cost to Adam and Eve: Blaming, hiding, loss of fellowship with God and each other. (Isaiah 59:1-2).
• Time to take inventory. What have we really gained by this?: Romans 6:21

Ground in Which Sin Cannot Survive

There are things that we can do that make it very difficult for sin to settle in our lives. 

• Gratitude for how blessed we really are. Counting our blessings. Focusing on all that we have instead of the one thing that we don’t have.
• Clearly remembering our past lost condition.
• Realizing that everyone has difficulties and that we are not being singled out.
• Stopping the practice of demanding a problem free life.
• Focusing on what others need instead of focusing on ourselves.
• Absolutely trusting God and realizing that He is always telling us the truth.
• Dwelling on all the problems that following God has delivered us from.

Mark Dunagan  |  mdunagan@frontier.net
Beaverton Church of Christ  |  503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net