JULY 23, 2025 ~ FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

JULY 23 DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING: 1 JOHN 1:9

What is true is that we each have our own besetting sins (Hebrews 12:1). Those things which for us are hard to get past or to overcome, giving into temptation. We struggle with these sins and sometimes wonder why we cannot find victory over them. Deep inside us we desire these things and as a part of our makeup these seem to remain. For each of us these will take special attention...we must be aware of them...we must confess them...we must ask the Holy Spirit to help guard us from giving into them.

What we cannot do with our besetting sins is to rationalize them. We cannot say they are not that bad, or I was just born this way, or everybody else says it's okay, so it must be. We also cannot fall into the trap of comparing our sin with other people's sin and then justify ours as not being as bad. All sin separates us from God...all sin is destructive...all sin, left unconfessed, will lead to death.

Finally, we can't let the world around us define what sin is and is not. The Scripture is the final source for what is contrary to God. The world will always lead you to the place of ignoring God's truth and doing whatever you want. The sad thing is today, most people, including Christians, have let the world determine their truth about sin. So, most people are living in disobedience to God's truth and we are seeing the results of that all around us.

Please share your thoughts.