Sin Screen (Part 2)

Last week I shared how the Holy Spirit was using my shopping list to bring some needed attention to my soul life. Let’s pick up where I left off. Remember the Greek word “peirasmos?” In James, it’s translated as “trial” in some places and “temptation” in others. We talked about how the difference was who was sending and receiving it and both of their intents during shipping and delivery. One’s intent was to exercise and strengthen faith and the other’s was to weaken it to the point of abandon. Now that “it” had arrived on my front step, it was up to me to decide which route I was about to take.

Most of our trials and temptations arrive when it's night. Or at least by the time, they’re done with us, it is night. Mine was no different. When it’s dark and there are few eyes we’re most likely to plummet under the weight of our circumstances. Experience had taught me that I had better act fast because I had already missed my first escape route. Harkening back to the Word, I was reminded that temptation is common to all men. We all struggle with it, though I loathe we have to. Yet, God’s Word reveals something else to us. We have a way out; He promises to give us one (1 Corinthians 10:13). Most of the time we just don’t want to take it.

I thought back to my night of darkness. I had a way out, but I didn’t want to take it. My flesh and urges to sin were greater than my desire to want to fight at the moment. I had been entertaining these desires in my mind and heart for a season (maybe two) now, and I liked revisiting them. I let myself play them out until I was no longer satisfied with the screening only. As I mentioned in my last blog, they didn’t begin as anything unscrupulous. They were natural God-given desires that if I’m honest, God had been asking me to surrender for a while (no coincidence that’s my word for the year). And just like “security”, it was going to take me all year to learn “surrender.” *Sigh*

So the very first thing I did was tell on myself. Yup. After my offense, I told God what I had done, although He already knew. He sat right there and watched me do it. Yet my confession and following repentance were still necessary. I knew that any sin I committed was first against God and its intent was always to bring separation. I had learned in previous seasons not to run from God but to Him. Even if I knew I’d plunge back in that bed again, I learned that coming to Him in brokenness or begging for him to give me some was better. He was the only one who could unchain me and renew my commitment to Him again. I had to mend what sin had broken and was threatening to sever indefinitely again – our relationship.

But I knew I couldn’t stop there, which is what sin wanted me to do. The good ‘ol book of James had some more worthy precautions for me. Remember how I told you sin was a liar. Well, I wasn’t lying. Sin promises something it doesn’t deliver and instead gives us death. After the Word pronounces this to us, it goes on to say don’t be deceived (James 1:16). One of the ways sin deceives us, as I already mentioned, is with the lie that we’ve got it under control. But sin, once it’s unhinged, is the one who has us under control. And anything not exposed to the light becomes captive to the dark. James doesn’t leave us to figure this out on our own. He states, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

God made us relational and communal creatures. He knows that isolation is dangerous for us, which is why he didn’t leave Adam alone. We need the accountability and protection of one another. So though sin was telling me I didn’t need to tell anyone about my little secret because I had already told God, God’s wisdom told me otherwise. Resisting the urge to remain in my pride, I humbled myself and texted two of my sisters at the break of day. I paused mulling over if I could be less vague or insert an excuse to try to butter up the ugliness of what I had done. I decided upon neither and divulged my transgressions requesting their prayers and accountability moving forward.

It didn’t just matter that I confessed, but it mattered who I confessed to - first God and then “righteous” sisters. What the text means is not that they are spotless and without any sin but that they are believers who are seeking to live a life for Christ. I knew that if I confessed to them, they would cover and not uncover me (meaning they wouldn't go tell the world but rather meet me in my mess with a bath sponge and a towel). I knew that they wouldn’t excuse my sin or beckon me to continue in it, but would help me address it and submit it to the Father. You’ve got to get you some righteous friends and preferably those of the same sex with whom no sexual attraction or potential is shared on either side.

Whether you’re currently in a web of sin or you’re deceived about not having any chance of falling in any, I’m beckoning you to do two things. Ask God to reveal any hidden areas of sin in your life (or known sin you've been trying to avoid) and to give you a heart of repentance for what He shows you. Next, assess your circle. Who can you confide and find accountability in when you’re struggling with sin? You may need different friends for different sins. If your companions are currently drowning in the same sin you need deliverance from, those aren’t your people for this trip. Find people who've shown evidence of successfully fighting or overcoming the battle you're now facing. Often they are some of the best ones who have just enough compassion and grace coupled with truth for you. If you look around and you don’t see any people like that in your life, ask God to send you some. He’ll be faithful to give you a way out, even brothers and sisters in the faith. And if you're entrenched in sin (aka you've been doing "it" a long time), it is wise to include a trusted, spiritual leader in your pursuit to get free.

Next week I'll wrap up my SPF (sin protection factor) defense mechanisms so meet me back here. In the meantime, be sure to follow Unveiled61 on social media for another gem nugget while you’re waiting on the next blog. And don’t forget to subscribe to be notified a new blog is available.