Sin
Self-Pleasure and the Gospel
Men (and women) in this age of social media are awash in a sea of sexual imagery. Yet there is nothing new under the sun. Sin has always been “lurking at the door” (Genesis 4:7), desiring to control and destroy lives. In Genesis 4, God warns Cain that he must master sin. So must we.…
Read MoreThe Chief End of Medicine
“Patient-centered care” is often seen as the highest goal in medicine. But is patient-centered care the highest goal for the Christian physician? Most Christian physicians would, of course, say no. Jay Adams said that the highest goal of medicine is “to enable a man to use his body to honor God as an instrument of…
Read MoreWhen Desires become Sinful
James 4:1-3 “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not…
Read MoreChrist is Sufficient in Sanctification too
It is commonly known among believers that Christ is sufficient in salvation (justification). But the sufficiency of Christ doesn’t end there. The sufficiency of Christ continues on throughout the Christian life. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 says, “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be…
Read MoreAddressing Sin’s Impact on Others
Sin impacts people who are not directly involved, but are affected by the sin. Here are some thoughts on how the aftermath of sin should be addressed with them: Meet with the affected person and explain what happened. Ask them for forgiveness. Ask if they have any questions. Let them know you are getting help,…
Read MoreWhat if I sin again (after confessing and repenting)?
So you have asked God and the person you sinned against to forgive your sin. But you may be asking, “what if I sin again?” Here are three things to consider: First, if you trust in Jesus Christ, you are going to change. He has enable you to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). …
Read MoreThe Results of Sin
Scripture says “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). When it does, the aftermath of sin is devastating. Romans 6:23 says “the wages of sin is death“…probably most notably, relational death. Sin destroys things that come into contact with it…relationships, lives, growth, opportunity, any prior healing, memories…the list goes on. In Galatians,…
Read MoreProtected: Tracing the Root of Sexual Sin
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Read MoreHow a Believer Drifts from the Gospel
At times during God’s sanctifying process, a believer can drift from the good news of the gospel. This graphic illustrates what causes the drift (law keeping and idols of the heart), and how the gospel calls us home. This concept is laid out in the highly recommended IBCD training course. Graphic by thekiln.org.
Read MoreHow Sin Develops
James 1:15: “Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James lays out how sin develops in a person’s life: lust (sinful desire) is conceived in the heart, it gives birth to sin (it manifests itself in sinful behavior), it causes damage in their life…
Read More