The progressive nature of sin
“This is PYNN, Protect Yourself News Network. Due to compromising conditions, we have issued a sin warning! Weaknesses have been sighted in your thoughts, which could lead to further lawlessness. Please abandon all temptation and seek immediate protection in God’s Word.”
Although I’ve never heard an audible warning like this, I’ve often heard the Holy Spirit’s warnings in my thoughts.
Romans 6:19 (ESV) mentions the progressive nature of sin. It says, “For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness.”
Once we compromise our convictions, we find it easier to give into temptation the next time. Soon, we’re doing things we never dreamed we were capable of. How often have we chosen sin over obedience? How long does it take for us to regroup after we’re first tempted?
How much time passes until we’re once again making choices that show we love God more than sin – if we arrive at that point at all?
When you think about some of the worst acts you’ve ever committed, can you recall how you got to that point? One wrong thought gave way to another, which led to an immoral choice, which gave birth to a lie. The lie led to another wrong thought, another immoral choice, another lie. And so on. And so on. And so on.
If you could go back, which sin alert would you respond differently to? Which sin warning are you ignoring today? Will you commit right now to do whatever it takes to address it? Some good ways to start are confessing your sin, reading your Bible, making yourself accountable to someone and fellowshipping with believers.
How would taking these steps change your life, your relationships with others and with God?
What regrets would you avoid?
One of the most sobering passages in the Bible is James 1:14–15 (ESV): “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
James’s message is clear – as clear as a PYNN emergency alert signal.
Will you heed it?
Sheryl H. Boldt, a Franklin County resident, is the author of the blog, www.TodayCanBeDifferent.net. Connect with her at SherylHBoldt@gmail.com.
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.