FIGHTING SIN

“When we are unselfish and kind to others, though a "cup of cold water" given "in the name of a disciple" is more valuable in God's sight than a cup of gold for selfish purposes Matthew 10:42.

The person who saunters out into the appearance of evil in the name of "freedom in the Spirit" may find himself committing gross sin under some appearance of good. Combat sin for God's reasons.

Some people resist sin for such shallow motives that God hardly notices their victory. When we have fasted and prayed He asks, "Did you at all fast unto me, even to me?" Zachariah 7:5. When we are unselfish and kind to others, though, a "cup of cold water" given "in the name of a disciple" is more valuable in God's sight than a cup of gold for selfish purposes Matthew 10:42.

God wants it to be His love, which constrains us to renounce sin. Princes prefix documents with their coat of arms and royal names before sending them out; and God sets His glorious name before His commandments too-- "God spoke all these words Exodus 20:1.God would have His children to sanctify His name in everything they do.

Just as the Father commands His family to turn away from evil, it is for His sake that He wants us to mourn over those sins we do commit. Sometimes grief can be so selfish that a man is satisfied to snatch his soul from eternal damnation even if this somehow defamed the glory of God. But a gracious soul's mourning runs in another channel: "Against you, you only, have I sinned" Psalm 51:4.

There is a vast difference between a man who works for another person and one who is his own boss. The independent person assumes all his losses himself, but the servant who trades with his master's stock must put every loss on that account. Christian, you are a servant. All you have is not really yours, but God's. And when you fall into sin, your sorrow must be for the way you have wronged Him: "I have dishonored my God and wasted the talents He has given me; I have wounded His name and grieved His Spirit."

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617