Sinful Nature

 

    In the womb you were created perfect for a purpose.  Somewhere between being created and born the sinful nature becomes a part of you.  Sinning comes natural.  It feels right.  It takes having an encounter with God to really see sin for what it is.  It takes a relationship with God to really change the sinful nature.  It is not something you can do without God.

    No one had to reach you how to have a rebellious spirit.  It comes in different degrees with people, but everyone has a rebellious spirit that drives you toward sin.  It can be as simple as wanting things your way to the extreme in not believing in God at all.  

    Sin always comes with consequences.  It will always take more than you want to pay.  You can know what the consequences will be and allow that to keep your actions in check, but that doesn't change your heart.  God sees the heart.  Unless you make your heart right with God, you will never be free from your sinful nature.

    Unbelief leads to rebellion.  If you don't believe that God will do what He says He will do then why would you obey?  Walking in faith requires holy fear.  This fear is knowing the consequences and wanting to do right to be holy and not hurt the Holy Spirit.  It is not fear of the consequences like humanity faces fear.  

    Faith requires trust.  It is the opposite of sin.  Sin wants you to feed your pride while faith wants you to surrender to God's control.  The more you give control over to God the more freedom you have from the bondage of sin.  It no longer is a habit.  You are able to use your free will to do good instead of being tied to your selfish behavior.

    Sin is anything that goes against God's will or design.  That includes how you think, what you do, and the words you use that dishonor God.  It is choosing yourself over God.  In a way you make yourself your own God even if you never would admit it.  The more you hold onto control the more sin has a hold on you.

    Humanity will always struggle with the sinful nature, but it doesn't have to control you.  You can stop gossiping, crush your pride, work through obsessions or addictions, stop caring about other people's opinions, and a slew of other things that become sinful habits.  Put to death your sinful ways before they kill you.  

    Satan cast doubt into your mind.  If you feed that doubt it will push you further away from God.  If you go to scripture to fight doubt, then your faith becomes stronger and you find ways to avoid sinning.  His desire is to steal, kill, and destroy your life.  The closer you move toward God the harder Satan pursues you, but God is stronger than Satan.  If you give God control, then He can fight Satan on your behalf.  Most things that you get hit with are small in comparison to what Satan would do if he was able.

    Sin is serious.  It is choosing evil and wickedness over righteousness.  It affects every aspect of your life.  You will never be able to imagine a life that is not affected by sin until you enter Heaven.  In Heaven all these struggles disappear.  When it gets hard remember God's promises and what you are working toward: eternity.  

    Sin separates you from God.  Faith brings you closer.  Faith takes time and work, but it is stronger than the sinful nature.  Sin leads to a hard dysfunctional heart.  Faith leads to love that heals all emotional and spiritual wounds.  Sin leads to havoc, condemnation, and death.  Faith leads to love, transparent righteousness, innocence, and eternal perfection.  You are always moving more into your sinful nature or your faith.  You never stay stagnant.  It has always been your choice which you put your energy into.

Genesis 3, Psalm 51:1-6, Romans 3:23-26, 5:12-19, 6:20-23, Hebrews 12:1-4