The Trouble With Sin: Four Observations From Psalm 36
The Trouble With Sin:
Four Observations From Psalm 36
Sin is internal, private, and hidden (v 1,4), whereas God's love is an unhindered, outward expression (5, 6).
Someone once defined integrity to me this way: when the inward person is the same as the outward person. Especially in our thought life, sin deceives tricks and convinces us that our paths are right and just. How often I have thought I was right and just in my thinking until my thoughts were spoken among believing brothers who could see more clearly how I had been deceived. This is why we often talk and pray vocally with one another. God's grace gives us great assurance to expose our inner life to others who can encourage us and even correct us.
On the other hand, the character of God's attributes is explicit in creation. More obvious is his expression of love on the cross of Christ. Therefore, we need not fear that God has a hidden agenda for our demise. His love has been sufficiently expressed toward sinners in his Son Jesus!
Sin speaks deceptive flattery, but God gives light to see all things.
Flattery always feels nice because it builds up our ego. We say, "I know myself. I know what I can/can't do. I am the best captain of my life". But sin is more than ready to assure us of our qualifications well beyond what we thought true of ourselves.
The radiance of God's light is the vision we need to see what light is. John sees light and truth as co-participants in Jesus (John 1:9). God is not afraid to offend our ego. His radiant glory in the face of Jesus shows us the truth about ourselves. 1. We are easily deceived sinners. 2. He is abundantly loving, gracious, and merciful to us.
Sin is relished as a secret pleasure, whereas God is enjoyed openly.
Like a secret stash of illicit pleasures kept where no one else can see, sin corrupts inwardly so that it cannot be found out and hated. However, it is like nibbling on molded bread compared to feasting in the transparency of God's forgiveness and grace among his people.
God gives drink from the river of his delights. Our sin-savoring tongues find God's delights distasteful at first. But, to feast at his table and drink from his fountain is the corporate communion that we were made for. This proper nourishment of the soul brings strength to the whole person.
Sin is an embrace of evil, but righteousness is a gift continually sought by those who know God.
When given to sin, our meditation when we are alone "on our beds", will be assailed by plans to carry out the "gratification of the flesh". Most likely, we are not planning a murder or a bank robbery, but the aim is the same, the self-righteous "me-centered" orientation of planned intentions.
Instead, righteousness guides the tendency of the sinner's heart in what to guard against. A third time, the psalmist appeals to God's love. God's love is power, motivation, and reality to stay the hand and foot from evil.
May we not take the reality of sin lightly. May we depend entirely on the steadfast love of the Lord.
In the Word with you daily,
Loren