Jesus said, “If you knew when the thief was coming, you’d lock the doors!”  The thief we are talking about today is sin.  So, let’s see how sin works – and take some steps toward locking our doors to keep sin out of our lives.

The Bible says: “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.  These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15).

The first step in sin is our own desires. One person likes getting high on drugs while another man is repulsed by the thought.  Satan simply chooses bait that appeals to you.  So what if we could lock Satan out by desiring God even more!!  What if right now, while you are alert and thinking. . . what if you wrote down all the reasons that you desire God.

Write down how and why the peace and love and joy of Jesus is better than anything sin gives you.  We call this faith – and it is believing in a future promise.  Faith is like having a baby, and believing in advance, with food, warmth, and love, how your baby will grow and flourish!

Sin’s second step happens when we deceive ourselves with permission to pursue the enticement.  For example, when tempted with pornography, many men try to convince themselves, “I’m not hurting anyone,” or “No one will know.”

The door locking prescription is to say God’s word out loud when any temptation happens.  When Jesus faced Satan’s temptations (Matthew 4) he did so by quoting scripture out loud.  What if we simply said four words of scripture – four words you already know.  Four words that Jesus said over and over again. . . “Your will be done.”  Can you feel the power inside those words!

Sin’s final step is death.  Death.  Death to our conscience and knowing wrong from right. Death to living abundantly and death to our relationship with God.  You see, sin is not done with us even after we’re done with sin.  Sin lingers.  Like stink from a skunk – it won’t go away.  What happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas – because it comes home with our memories.  Sin lingers and leads to death.

But there is good news.  God is calling you and I to flee to him.  Yes, to flee.  To run to him.  To dwell with him, and to allow him to dwell in you.  God gives us a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13), he gives us the lock for the door, but only helps us if we want it.  We have to want to submit to Jesus and that comes naturally when we read his Word and dwell with him.

Let’s choose to run to God right now.  Flee to him long before we see temptation coming.  God wants to hold you in his strong arms.  He wants to shelter you.  His door of safety is open and he’s calling you inside.  Run to me.  Rest with me.  Call on me.  God is calling you, and me, right now.

There is no more time to suffer in anger, sadness, unforgiveness, or fear – not even for one more day! If you’re ready to stop listening to Satan’s lies, click the button below, and start living your new life of happiness today.