The Camouflage Of Sin - How Does Sin Take Hold

The Camouflage Of Sin - How Does Sin Take Hold?

INTRO: So, how does sin take hold in our lives? How does sin take over? How does sin consume us? The answer is…Little by little. Because we ultimately allow it into our lives. Because we are unable to stop it on our own.

Just how common is sin? Paul said in Romans 7:14-…
^{14For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. ¹⁵For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. ¹⁶If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. ¹⁷Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. ¹⁸For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. ¹⁹For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. ²⁰Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. ²¹I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. ²²For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: ²³But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? ²⁵I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Let me look at a few things that deal with sin in our lives. First, we see…
Watchful warnings are given, but, pre-conceived ideas often influence our perception of sin
Share story about week/grass killer (pre-conceived)
We often either ignore or downplay the obvious problems with sin in our lives
We can see…

"Thou Shalt Nots" support. Even though they are often met with skepticism and sarcastic attitudes. Even though the underlying principles are the foundation for God's law and even our society's as well.
The Spirit Speaks - 1 Timothy 4:1a ¹Now the Spirit speaketh expressly
The conscious calls - although it can be trained

1 John 3:20-21 ²⁰For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. ²¹Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 ¹Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; ²Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

The Christian brothers and sisters counsel - a loving word of advice goes a long ways.

Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Proverbs 27:9-12 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
^{10Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
^{11My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.
^{12A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
We can also see…
Poor recognition of dangerous sin -

"Only large sins are important"

Song of Solomon 2:15 Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

"When I can't handle this I will quit"
"My good things outweigh the bad…"

Matthew 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

"No one knows" - Pornography, Share story about "Jake" that you knew who lived in Anderson, and you saw him in Shirley at carry-out, road trips, tax cheating, cheating, etc.
"No one but me is getting hurt" - children at the very least, but also neighbors and friends.
"I will stop before it hurts me" - prisons are full, homes are broken, lives are ruined because of this lie or camouflage technique.
"I can handle it" - yeah right!

And we also see…
Pumped-up promises are hanged all over the sins to make them appealing - promises, promises, promises

Profitable power - Sin is almost always painted as a way to get/stay ahead

One avenue is through pride

Proverbs 16:18-19 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
^{19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
1 Cor 10:12-13 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. ¹³There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Beneficial riches and great wealth -

Sin is painted first as something that is helpful to obtain NEEDED goods and services.
Sin is also camouflaged as something HELPFUL or even DESERVED
Later as something to get or keep something that is "ESENTIAL" (since everyone else has it) or something we cannot do without

Seductive sensual pleasures

Sin will try to allure us
Sin will show its best face
Sin will work on our biggest weakness
Sin will cripple us
Samson a prime example of how sensual sins defeated him

So, we need to be on guard aware of how sin is portrayed and cling to the Lord - He will help us.
1 Timothy 6:6-12 But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. ⁹But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. ¹¹But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. ¹²Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 052205am}}}}}