DON'T PLAY WITH SIN

This is one of those reminders that as men (and women) we need to hear often -- "Don't play with sin." One of the things that we see happening as a ministry that counseling people, is the tragedy that we think we can get as close to the edge and yet not get burned.

God's Word makes the issues quite clear, and yet for some reason, we try to figure how close we can get before crossing the line. We may pride ourselves that we wouldn't dare go to an adult bookstore to view or purchase pornography, but we will watch an R-rated movie that contains sexually-explicit material. We might pride ourselves that we are faithful to our spouses, but get close to the edge with flirtatious remarks to a co-worker or friend.

Recently, our Director of Marketing and Technology was running a job on our company copier which was going to tie up the copier for most of the day. Due to the wonders of technology, he was able to run the job from his office in the basement of the Raws building. There would be moments were it would appear the copier was ok to use, but doing so would interrupt and foul up the job. So he placed a sign on the copier that said, "Please do not touch!" It was funny to watch the reaction of the staff throughout the day, as many of us had the same reaction -- we wanted to go up and touch it just for spite! Childish?

Well think about it. God has given you and me some pretty specific, detailed instructions about what we can and cannot do. He says, "Do not touch" and yet from the very beginning, starting with Adam and Eve, we have struggled with this.

Here are some reminders from the Word of God for you and me this morning . . . "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Remember Lot's wife. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with
lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? Therefore, 'Come out from among them and separate,' says the Lord. "Do not touch what is unclean.' Do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light... finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have NO fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." (Galatians 6:7; Luke 17:32; 2 Corinthians 6:14,17; Ephesians 5:7-8; 10-11)

What about you this morning? Are there areas in your life where you are playing with sin? Is there an area where you are deceiving yourself? Purpose in your heart today to say "NO!" -- stop playing with sin.

REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE.