Jess Whitlock
It is Satan’s hope to convince man that “one little sin won’t hurt” or that sin is a minor thing. However a careful study of God’s Word will show us the other side of that coin:
Sin Always Hurts the Sinner
We have all seen the effects of illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco on men in physical maladies. If sin does not hurt in some physical way, it will have its effects to hurt one mentally and spiritually. The “peace of God” (Philp. 4:7) does not reside in the heart of the sinner.
Sin Hurts the Loved Ones of the Sinner
It is difficult for a person to enter into sin without causing heart aches and sometimes harm to those who love him. When one commits sin it often brings hurt to those closest to him.
Consider the sin of gambling, whereby some have lost their homes, land, cars, and sometimes their family. If the sin does not hurt anyone on earth, except the sinner, the sin still hurts God (Heb. 6:4-6; 1 John 3:4).
Sin Separates the Sinner From God
When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God drove them out from His presence (Gen. 3:22-24).
When we refuse to listen to God and heed His warnings, God will cease to listen to us (Isa. 59:1-2).
Sin Can Become a Habit For the Sinner
The sinner will often tell you that he can “quit anytime” they desire to do so. Usually the sinner discovers that he is lying to himself and others. Regardless of the sin many discover they are servants and slaves to Satan (Rom. 6:17-18).
The Wages Satan Pays is Death
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). In view of all that sin has done to us, Christ can overcome all of that when we come to Him in obedient faith! A faith that will not obey, is a faith that will not save!
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?… For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness….What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death….(Rom. 6:16, 20, 21).
Sin will take you farther than you ever wanted to go; sin will keep you longer than you ever intended to stay; and sin will cost you more than you ever wanted to pay!
