It is easy to give advises, give motivational talks, quote books and refer to spiritual literatures that emphasises people to say ‘no’ to the wrong things and ‘yes’ to the right things. We have our favourite religious gurus, authors and great icons whose favourite lines we quote on this issue. But is it really that easy to say “no” to something that’s enticing, when deep down we know its wrong. That’s the power of sin.
The feeling of guilt for having done wrong is universal regardless of being a child, youth or adult. We make promises and commitments only to miserably fail and fall into the same trap again. Every temptation is sweet coated with desire, which takes an individual captive, even the strong ones. Strong principles and habits alone may not be enough to say no to things which are bad. The dirty and unholy are usually camouflaged in an attractive package as though it is clean and pure. A clean and pure heart can only choose which is good even without a drop of evil in it. Devoid of the same, one gets sucked in self-deception.
Diane Langberg puts this beautifully, ‘Self-deception functions as a narcotic, numbing us to the damage of danger of our choices. If we engage in such self-delusion long enough, we will, over time, lose our taste for the good and our power to loathe evil. Once we begin removing our taste for good and our power to hate evil, we habituate that which causes death. As deception becomes a way of life, evil can be easily practiced by an increasingly dead soul that then becomes presumptuous, planning and actively participating evil.’.
How sensitive is your conscience’s taste buds? Is it still distinguishing between right and wrong? If you are still struggling to say ‘no’ to that which is dragging you down, then it is time to do a soul search. King David in the Bible who wrote a book called Psalms registers in one of his prayers, ‘search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concern. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.”. The Bible addresses the problem of human heart and demands us to confess our failures and say no to sin. True confession will lead you to stay holy with the power to say ‘no’ to all that is sinful in nature. The Bible says, God doesn’t hear sinners. Your rituals and religiosity don’t matter to God. Your heart needs to be set right to make space for the living Saviour. Would you like to make a commitment to follow Jesus as Saviour and Lord of your life?
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