How to Hate Sin—Part 2

The Antidote

One of the things that the passage (Romans 7:15-20) brings out, referred to in the previous blog (How to Hate Sin–Part 1) is that we first have to recognize that sin is inside of us. It’s not external. It’s not something that we really can run away from and expect that it will disappear. It is ‘inside’ of us. Like a disease. An infection. And each of us, left untreated, fester it, breed it, try to cope with it, try to fight it, grapple with it, blog about it–yes–but we don’t have the cure. We cannot be our own antidote. I’ve discovered that all too well.

Check these verses with me: Romans 7:15-20–pay attention to verse 17.

“As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.”‬ ‭NIV‬

I feel an ‘ouch’ after reading it. In other words, we can run to the hills, run from that friend, drink lots of pure water, avoid strong drinks, do steady push ups and exercise to stay focused, listen to christian music, do this, do that, but first we must realize that it is in me, and I need an antidote.

So what is the antidote? I quote google: ‘a medicine taken or given to counteract a particular poison.’

Today I say ‘give it to me.’ Every day! Every hour! Every minute! Every second! Every moment! i.e. The antidote.

From the Word! From His Spirit! From special people placed in my life. From pure water. Exercise. From christian music. From an experience, a circumstance or situation. From my mistakes, my fears, my doubts, and from life itself.

Give it to me…all of the antidote. In God’s wisdom. In his time and appointed measure.

This is my prayer. Amen

———

References

1 Peter 5:5-10, NIV

“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”