The Hidden Spiritual Sins of Christian Believers Devotional Reading, June 22, 2023
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh…” Romans 8:5, (first part)
We are in a continuous daily and intense spiritual battle against our carnal desires. With so few Christians studying the Bible, either Christian believers do not have knowledge of God’s expectations, or they possess biblical knowledge and are committing prevalent spiritual sins against God that are hidden from others, yet, they are not hidden from God.
Our Hidden Sins
- Failure to live Holy and Righteous lives as evidenced by our lifestyles.
- Failure to worship God every day through prayer and Bible Study.
- Failure to pray for wisdom and discernment before studying the Holy Scriptures.
- Failure to repent of one’s sins [intentional and unknown sins] every day.
- Failure to seek God’s guidance in every aspect of life.
- Failure to seek God’s will and plans through prayer.
- Failure to forgive or ask forgiveness for wronging others.
- Failure to witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others.
- Failure to use one’s spiritual gifts and talents.
- Failure to live according to God’s Righteous Standards.
- Failure to acknowledge that time is a precious gift from God.
- Failure to attend church if physically able.
- Failure to give tithe and offerings.
- Failure to use God-given financial resources to help those in need.
- Failure to live a healthy lifestyle—taking care of your mind and body which are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
- Failure to believe in the Triune God, God, the Father, God, Jesus the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit.
- Failure to believe in the Supernatural and Divine Healing and Delivering Power of God.
- Failure to believe that God breathed the Holy Scriptures and the Holy Spirit spoke to righteous men to write the Holy Words of God.
- Failure to believe in the entire Bible—the Old and New Testaments.
- Failure to obey and acknowledge the Ten Commandments were never invalidated by God.
- Failure to honor the Creation Seventh-Day Sabbath—Friday sunset to Saturday sunset due to tradition, fear, or disobedience.
- Failure to accept the Creation biblical theology as the basis for this world and for all life.
- Failure to reverence and honor the Sovereignty of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
- Failure to live a Bible-based, Christ-Centered life.
- Failure to do one’s part in changing their character—seeking to possess the Fruit of the Spirit.
- Failure to acknowledge Jesus’ Second Coming by not actively preparing —striving to live righteously every day.
“Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God.” —Leviticus 20:7
If your thoughts are “then who can be saved?” Jesus’ answer: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” —Matthew 5:8
We can never make our hearts pure. The concept of self-government is a false belief and is unachievable! Because we inherited sinful minds, [our hearts] always gravitate toward wrongdoing. Yet, our situation is not hopeless! The human effort of praying and striving to possess a spirit of humility, obedience, and total surrender of our hearts and will to God every day demonstrates our willingness to do our part in the Plan of Salvation.
” ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’ ” —Isaiah 55:8-9
Our habits of impatience, having a mean spirit, a sharp tongue that speaks angry, hurtful words, telling the truth with the intent to hurt the other person, or becoming angry when another driver speeds up to cut in front of us may appear to be minor, but they are evidence of an unrighteous character. We humbly accept that we cannot judge ourselves by our innate unrighteousness.
The Bible is our Spiritual Mirror!
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” —Hebrew 4:12
The Bible is the only Good Book that gives us God’s perspective of sin and righteousness. The Holy Scriptures not only give us the spiritual knowledge of God’s character but also His expectations of Christ’s followers. The false belief that we do not have to study the Bible originated from Satan.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” —James 1:22
Every employer, even the self-employed have and enforce structure and policy guidelines. We choose to accept Christ as our personal Savior. And with that choice, we do not get to live according to our desires or our version of God’s Truth. With Scriptural knowledge, faith, trust, and obedience, we proclaim our love and loyalty to God.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee…” —Hosea 4:6, [first part]
We will not have the desire to faithfully serve and obey a God who we do not know. Those who have access to the Bible and chose not to study will be held accountable by God at the time of Judgment.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” —John 3:16
With so many requirements who can be saved? Everyone who is willing to surrender and commit themselves to God. We need to pray several times a day to overcome the sinful habits which prevent our spiritual transformation from having the righteous characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit.
Through the blood of Jesus Christ, we receive daily the overwhelming love, grace, and mercy to live righteously. Our works alone can never achieve righteousness living and Sanctification—daily spiritual transformation. It is through God’s grace that we receive the Mighty Transforming power of the Holy Spirit to change our character!
To live righteously without Divine Intervention every day is impossible. But why are we attempting to live without God’s help when He has promised to never leave us or forsake us?
Reflection: Do I desire to obediently travel the journey [leading to the spiritual transformation] required to receive my reward of eternal life in Revelation 22:12?
From love, Jesus created us as free moral agents. And He will never intrude or coerce us to change. But, if we make the decision to renounce sin and go all the way with our Savior, Jesus Christ then we have Scriptural Promises that Divine Help is available for us 24/7 when we pray and ask.
God’s Gifts to Humanity: “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” —2 Timothy 1:7
God knows that we cannot save ourselves. The Human Effort of obedience, surrender, praying, diligently studying the Bible, asking for wisdom and discernment, and intentionally avoiding sinful activities are not above and beyond our God-given capabilities.
Scripture Readings
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” —Proverbs 3:5-6
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” —Matthew 7:7
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” —Hebrews 4:15-16
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’ ” —Hebrews 13:5-6
Prayer: God, we come to You in prayer because we are weak and are in desperate need of Your Divine Intervention to save our souls. We ask for the forgiveness of living according to our sinful standards. We ask You to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to anoint us with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Lord, reveal the changes that we need to make in our lives so that we may serve You in humility and obedience. In Jesus’ Worthy Name, we pray. Amen.
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