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SELAH! Pause - reflect- just think of that!

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Sin Deceives the Sinner

The fascination of the forbidden is the greatest lure of sin.

The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 7:11 that sin deceives the sinner. The end result of course is death.

Sin deceives in such a way that it causes the sinner to completely lose the way. It gives a false impression, whether by appearance, statement or influence that everything is ok. No one ever receives the full satisfaction that the lure of sin promises.

Sin tricks us into thinking that so long as we have not sinned outwardly and visibly everything is right between us and God. The Word of God informs us differently because God discerns the thoughts, attitudes and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12-13). Jeremiah said, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked" (Jer. 17:9). Our thoughts and attitudes are radically depraved and these lead us to sinful behaviors.

Sin deceives us into thinking that there is no reason for our guilt. Get rid of the "ought," should" and "must" in your life. Our sins are really not that bad, after all everyone is doing it. Besides there are other people doing a lot worse things than we are. Sin deceives us as to the deceitfulness of sin.

One of the greatest deceptions is that sin deceives us into thinking that God is unreasonable. It is impossible for sinful man to live a pure and holy life, therefore God is unjust, not man. If God really loved us and wanted what is best for us He would let us do whatever we think would make us happy. If it feels good, it must be ok is a deception of sin.

Sin deceives the sinner into thinking the holiness of God is unattractive. It deceives by getting people to think holiness is unpopular, unacceptable, odd, etc. Holiness is not a popular topic in today's society, even in church circles.

Sin's biggest deception is the idea that there is no penalty for sinning.  Sin deceives the sinner to believe Satan’s lie, “You will not die” (Gen. 3:4). Sin always calls God a liar. The truth is, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). “The soul that sins will surely die” (Ezek. 18:4).

The Law of God reveals the fact that we are sinners, and that we can never save ourselves. The apostle Paul confessed, “I would not have known what sin was except through the law” (Rom. 7:7). We are reminded over and over again, “There is no one who does good, not even one.” “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Anyone who thinks otherwise is in bondage to the deceitfulness of sin.

Sin deceives us into thinking the law is really the problem and keeps us from becoming what we want to be, and fulfilling what we believe is essential to make us self-actualized men and women.

The Law points its finger and says, “You are the one. You are guilty before God.” Yes, we are guilty because we are guilty. It is true guilt. It declares that we have sinned against God, and broken His laws.

Sin seizes every opportunity to deceive man and creates a powerful rebellion in our hearts. Because the law says “no,” sin puts forth every effort to go ahead and do it. The Law proves to us just how rebellious our hearts are and how strong sin is in us.

Is the Law sin? Give me a break! “The law is holy, and the commandment of God is holy, righteous and good” (Rom. 7:12). The law proves to us that sin deceives us into thinking the law can save us, or that we are self-sufficient, and very religious. The law could never save anyone. No one has ever been saved by law keeping. The law condemns us in order to point us to God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ.

The law awakens us to our sinfulness and points us to the Savior, Jesus Christ. But sin deceives us into misusing salvation by grace through faith. Sin can get such a hold on us that we have no desire to live a life pleasing to God. Sin says, "Go ahead and sin it up so that grace may increase." Sin deceives by abusing the teaching of grace.

There is only one way to be delivered from the deception of sin, the penalty and power of sin, and that is by the atoning death of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:24-25, NASB 1995). The deliverer is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006