Psalm 17:33 You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
I spent over ten years in youth ministry, and every once in a while I would have a teenager ask an interesting question about sin. It usually revolved around some form of immoral living that young people wanted to explore. The question went something like this: How close can I get to sin without it actually being sin?
As I moved into a senior pastor role I found adults asking a similar question that was framed in a different way, “Is the Bible really clear on what is sin and what is not?”
The problem with both of these questions is that the people asking are not seeking holiness that draws them closer to God, but a loophole in God’s Word that would have them moving away from God.
Our desire should be to flee from sin and any hint of something that would cause our hearts to fail the test before God. Not that we will ever be perfect this side of heaven, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pursue it and “press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Phil 3:12).
Therefore, the question should not be how close can I get to sin, but how far can I run away from the very thing that is causing me to ask this question. Do you know how much of a blessing it is to go to bed each evening with a clean heart before the Lord? Sleepless nights are often caused by heart-hurt regret.
Don’t flirt with sin and cause your heart to fail. Let the Lord test you and find nothing.
Jesus, create in me a clean heart. I know there are times when I will fall short, but you are faithful and just to forgive. Give me strength to run away from sin and towards you. Amen
Josh Huisman is the senior pastor of New Hope Community Church in Brentwood, TN.
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