I’ll never forget a trip I took with my older son to shoot the rapids at the Rogue River in Oregon. While we were receiving instructions from the guide . . . , I began to study the canoes with my eyes.
Read MoreCategory Archives: Sin
The Tune of Self-Interest
After Adam and Eve disobeyed God for the first time—and sin entered the world—it didn’t take long for them to begin looking out for number one. Enter self-interest.
Read MoreThe Origin of Self
It’s been my experience that before I can fully conquer any problem, I need to understand the problem as well as possible, especially its origin. To do that with “self,” we must go back, way back.
Read MoreIt’s Time to Face the Truth
After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. Ecclesiastes 2:3 Solomon’s wrap-up counsel deserves prime-time exposure. It belongs on the marquee of every X-rated theatre. Like a note, it could be inserted inside every bottle of drugs. It would be a great neon sign […]
Read MoreThe Remedy for Sin
For the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the LORD. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible. Leviticus 17:11 In ancient days, when a sinner found himself or herself in […]
Read MoreGod’s Straight Edge
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23 God is righteous, perfect, and infinitely holy. That’s His standard. It is sometimes called “glory” in the New Testament. Let me paraphrase Romans 3:23: For all have sinned [that’s our condition] and fall short of the perfection, holiness, righteousness, and glory […]
Read MoreDon’t Play with Fire
From then on, Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Matthew 4:17 I ask you, how could a man as godly as David fall as far as he did with Bathsheba? How could he be responsible for murdering a man on the battlefield? […]
Read MoreThe Dark Side
To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child. Proverbs 29:15 It’s helpful to remember that the deadliest killer of humanity is not heart disease or cancer … it’s depravity. Every one of us has it. Every one of us suffers from the consequences of it. And to make […]
Read MoreSin’s Consequences
The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. Genesis 3:6 The original […]
Read MoreThe Enemy Within
For I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. Psalm 51:5 Webster says depraved means, “marked by corruption or evil, perverted, crooked.” It’s important that you understand this is an internal disease; you can’t detect it from the outside. Most folks don’t “look” depraved. Most of us do a masterful job […]
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