When times are difficult, it makes it easier for us to justify sin. As the pressures of 2020 rise, do you find it easy to excuse yourself for wayward behavior? Now is not the time to give in to sin, but to push towards obedience.
For anyone who has committed to a local church but never felt connected, I want to help you. The reason some never experience deep relationships is because interaction is never pursued outside the weekly gathering. You can’t connect through 1 hour a week. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in committing to intentional checkups.
When social distancing hit, most churches went to groups online. While we were all thankful for apps like Zoom, we also feel the fatigue from it all. As we navigate the upcoming months, you need to commit to yours and others’ spiritual growth. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in prioritizing your weekly group.
Now that we have made it through the first half of 2020, people are constantly asking – when will we get back to normal? I hate to break it to you, but I don’t think we are going to return to it, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing for your life, family, or church.
The 10th commandment warns against coveting. While this sin may be last on the list, it is one of the most prevalent in our hearts. In fact, our casual acceptance of it reveals that we don’t take it that seriously. Deep down, this is as serious of a sin as they come. It’s time to go the 2nd mile on controlling comparison.
You can tell our culture doesn’t see lying as that big of a sin when we always categorize our deceit as just “a little white lie.” Bearing false witness speaks clearly about our character and teaches others that we are untrustworthy. It’s not just about avoiding lies, but about being trusted to say the truth.
The 8th commandment warns against stealing. Most of us think of theft as something that only criminals and children struggle doing. We almost feel impervious to such temptation. But are we? How frequent do we justify our subtle possession of things that do not belong to us?
A marriage cannot work with three people in it. Whether you have been guilty, considered it, or believe yourself to be immune to the temptation, it’s time to get real about avoiding adultery.
The 6th commandment warns against murder. While we all agree about the serious nature of this sin, not many see it as a real temptation. When Jesus came, he explained that the real danger was in the heart before it was in the hands. You might be more guilty than you realize.
Children who disobey their parents become students who disrespect teachers, employees who disagree with employers, citizens who disregard authorities, church members who discourage their pastors, adults who disvalue God.