Dear Explorer,
Re-Read Luke 22:54-62
There are two distinct types of accidents - those that you see coming and those that hit you blind-sided.
Several years ago, I was rushing around preparing dinner when BLAM! I found myself on the floor with two broken ribs gasping for breath. I slipped so suddenly and was so shocked to find myself on the floor!
Most of us believe that Peter slipped like that. A few hours earlier he was professing his love for Jesus and proclaiming to all that he would die to protect Jesus. Now he finds himself flattened.
We're walking along feeling strong and sturdy and maybe on a spiritual high when suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, that foul word or thought slips in, that flagrant lie jumps out, those hateful attitudes grip us, hateful, hurtful, angry thoughts.
We like to say things like - "I couldn't help it. I don't know what hit me. It happened so fast; I didn't see it coming." Or as the comedian Flip Wilson used to say, "De Devil made me do it!"
Are we really so hopelessly at the mercy of sinful habits and temptations? Let's see what the Bible says.
Read 1 Corinthians 10:13
What does this verse say in your own words?
Jesus not only died to forgive us for our sins -- but to help us say, “No!” to sin, so that we can live in victory.
If I'm totally honest, I must admit that I don't fall spiritually without warning. There's always a tiny prompting from the Holy Spirit that says, "Stop! Don't say that!" or "Stop thinking that way – it will get you in trouble." or "Stop! You're headed the wrong way, turn around."
Jesus had warned Peter that he shouldn't be so self-confident. Dale's translation -- Watch out! You are on slippery ground! But Peter didn't have the Holy Spirit inside of him like we do, so he quickly forgot Jesus' words or warning.
If we tune our hearts to God and let Him guide us, we can be assured that we can walk in victory over sin. His death made that possible. We need to be honest and admit that sin comes through our conscious choosing -- not slipping in by accident. You can live a sin-free life by being totally obedient to God's direction through the Holy Spirit. He alone always keeps us on the perfectly safe track. We have that wonderful promise!
But the truth is, we are not always in tune or paying attention. When we are not in tune with God, or are distracted by other things, we will find ourselves dealing with the consequences of sin. Unfortunately, we are all guilty of failure – that's why Jesus had to die – to pay for our sins. Praise be to God that we don't have to die for those sins! We simply need to confess and ask for forgiveness and get back on track!
In His service, dale
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