Hello Overcomers,
If you get the chance, Read Romans 1:24-32.
One of the least feared but most dangerous consequences of sin is its deadening effect upon the conscience. Holiness creates tenderness and sensitivity, but evildoing produces callousness and indifference. This hardening process is part of God's immediate judgement upon sin. We see this in Romans 1:24, where we read that God "gave them up to uncleanliness through the lusts of their own hearts." Every time we act contrary to His will, something good in us dies. Gradually we lose our moral sensitivity and think of wrong as right and evil as enviable.
Recently I heard a hollywood actress say, "I believe open infidelity could save a lot of marriages. The jealousy that hurts some marriages is actually a fear of the unknown." Although she's been married to a man since 1955, she has had numerous affairs. Her latest one fizzled because the man wanted her to divorce her husband and marry him. She said, "Anything conventional would make me feel trapped." I find that incredible!!
Such blatant disregard for God's standard of morality, whether it's free love with the opposite sex or perverted expressions of love with the same sex, shows how dull the conscience can become. We can readily see this deadening process at work in others, but it's easy to forget that sin affects all of us the same way. It's first signs are a neglect of Bible reading and prayer, sporadic church attendance, and an attitude of indifference to spiritual matters. To keep from growing insensitive, we must cleanse our way by taking heed to the Word of God -- DAILY!
This has been an Overcomer's moment------------ Howard Kent
Comments
Excellent word. I could not agree any more whole- heartedly. Remember that the Bible says, "sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death." The sole objective of sin is to, as you said, deaden the believer or sinner alike, to God's Holiness and the standard of His Holy Word, and lead them into a path of sure death and seperation from the presence of God. Keep on fighting Brother. Redemption draweth nigh!!
Brother Craig
Howard, I am so glad that there is a way to re-sensitize ourselves to sin and Holiness. I would hate to get so stiff necked that my spirit get broken, and that without remedy, yet you are so right about the deadening effect of sin on our spirits. I am glad that God can renew even wicked hearts, if we will only seek Him and His righteousness...that gives me hope.