The Aroma of Sin. (Understanding the road to a fall)

Hello guys!How's life with you? Its a new day and its April 1st, in fact the beginning of another quarter in 2012. I'm excited, not because of what I achieved in the past but because I have another opportunity to start and finish strong. I want to share few thoughts on certain issue, I call it the Aroma of sin, its actually aimed at helping you understand the reason for your last fall and hopefully assist you avoid the next one. If you've been to a bakery before, you'll notice the strong aroma of bread even from a mile away. Its so easy to tell what's cooking; if something is really cooking. Aroma is a product of heat effect on any substance. Put a piece of meat on the grill and you can be sure to draw attention in few minutes. The case of sin and the believer is a case we must openly discuss if we are to achieve relative sucess in our walk with God. There are habits that seem impossible to put away. We pray so hard yet we fall so easily. To fully understand this point, let's take premarital sex as an example. Its a common issue amongst young adults to struggle with sin of fornication. Its even worse when the church find it difficult to openly discuss our shortcoming in this areas even when its said to be the black-est sin around...if you know what I mean. Fonication or sex sin is a torn in the flesh, its the young man or young lady's greatest undoing. If you study the fall of every Christian in this area, you'll identify similar pattern. Many times we start out acting like it can NEVER happen to us and bla bla bla. I assure you that you may be victims sooner or later;(except we do the right thing) because we seek to negate the word of God that says "He that thinketh he stand should be careful less he fall." I have come to understand the scenario the precedes a fall to be one that must be dissected and exposed to enable us live above the fall and avoid subsequent falls. Christians are human hence flesh and blood. There's nothing like "it can never happen". The human body is a very vulnerable piece of art. If you try to under rate the power of inordinate affection/attraction between male and female then you might as well kiss your faith good bye. The bible says be not deceived, God cannot be mocked, what a man sows that he shall reap. If you sow into flesh you reap corruption,if you sow into the Spirit you reap life eternal. Many times we expose ourselves to dangerous encounters while acting like we have it all under control. Investing valuable time and resources into processes that would facilitate a fall yet dining the possibility of falling is tantamount to self deceit. The bible also says that who is he that would embrace fire and won't get burnt? We cannot keep entertaining the same people, environment or lifestyle that brings us to our knees yet claim God is in control. As a child of God, its expected that we would learn from past mistakes, there are certain people or events that you are vulnerable to, its the fact. Considering your weak position with God,(in that you are young) its important you guard your heart with all diligence and in the case of fonication or sex sin, its flee away from all appearances of evil. If you look at the last time you fell in the arms of lust, you'll identify certain elements: depression,insecurity and loneliness. Let me explain; for the young adult that feels left out in the fashionable game of our generation,in pursuit of fame and sucess, its so common to seek recognition and that is a sign of depression,insecurity or loneliness. I call it the big DIL. Big DIL (Depression,Insecurity and Loneliness) is a tool in the hands of the devil. Once you are tricked into believing nobody likes me, nobody cares and nobody see's me. You are about to fall. The ME factor always seem to precede self obsession of most young people which eventually leads to a fall. We can call the ME factor self centered-ness. Self is a seed that when fully formed reveals a tree called pride within you. The bible says pride goeth before a fall. Remember also that to be canally minded is death. For a better understanding, you should read the account of Lucifer. Before his fall;Lucifer was son of morning. He was the anointed cherub yet his heart was lifted up in awe of himself at the expense of God Almighty. Don't forget the bible records that God shares his glory with no one. The moment you become self obsessed with the idea that "ME" needs to be financed, then you are toast for sin. There's a direct correlation between self,pride,depression,insecurity, loneliness and all types of addictions. We cannot keep playing to the gallery on matters of sin and claim that God is in control. You are expected to work out your salvation with fear and trembling;that implies diligence. Be sober and be vigilant for the enemy runs around like a roaring lion seeking whom to devour. Diligence and vigilance helps you seek out the schemes used by the devil to bring you down. The Aroma of sin can be perceived by application of scriptures and constant practice of diligence and vigilance. Its the same old tricks guys, just different location and scenarios. The purpose has not changed. To steal,kill and to destroy. Understanding warfare requires walking in the spirit. The bible says for we wrestle not against flesh and blood.... But that does not mean that flesh and blood cannot serve as weapons used by principality and powers to frustrate you on the battle field. Friends, we need to rise up, sin is not a thing we dine and wine with. This is a call to order, you are Gods heritage, Gods workmanship. Yes you, I mean you reading this article, God is counting on you. The church of God is waiting for you to live an exemplary life so others can follow. Quit getting into bed with the enemy all in the name of liberty. Break that addiction, from sex to alcohol,from beating your wife to chronic telling of lies,begin to invest in fighting that habit,there is sufficient grace to overcome all weaknesses;you have grace to overcome the sins that easily besets you. I am confident in one thing that he who began a good work in us is able to complete it. That's the truth but that entails taking responsibility, sin dwelleth at your door step but God says you should have dominion. Check yourself, prune your friends and associates that seem to entice you into situations that get you compromised. Be yea unequally yoked with un believers;its still true that evil communication and association corrupts good manners. We need to end some relationships and start more productive ones. If after an hour with any friend and you feel empty then its time to let him or her go. Iron should sharpen iron. Friends are the window through which our lives are either refined or consumed. I pray that God would enable us to identify grey areas of our lives and deal decisively to prevent another fall. Now that's the benefit of understanding the Aroma of Sin. Igonoh Godwin. 1/04/2012