These are my notes from a sermon preached by Dr. Stephen Davey a few years ago.
Sin will deceive your mind and control your body. We must do battle now with the flesh daily (Rom 7:18).
The more you do unholy things, the easier it is for you to do more unholy things. The believer should never excuse his sins.
When a believer sins:
- the Holy Spirit is grieved
- prayers go unanswered
- their life disqualifies them from useful ministry (1 Cor 9:27)
- the believer’s praise of God becomes unacceptable
- God’s blessing is withheld from the sinner
- joy is forfeited in salvation
- the sinner experiences God’s discipline
- spiritual growth is hindered
- service for Christ is limited
- the length of our lives is endangered on earth
- the testimony of the church is damaged
- God is ultimately dishonored
Died to sin means (1 Cor 15:31)
- sin is no longer alluring
- the believer dies every day to sin
- the believer has died to the reign of sin (Rom 5:21)
- the believer is no longer under the rule of sin
- the believer is separated from the power of sin
You get into the kingdom of sin through birth. You get out of the kingdom of sin through death and rebirth. Have you been reborn?
I’ve been reborn, but looking at the list of things that happen when a believer sins, makes me want to be in the Word more often so I don’t give in to temptation. Starting bad habits is so easy. Stopping them is hard — though possible with the Holy Spirit as my guide.