Too often we think of sin as purely a matter of our actions but Jesus has told us that even our thoughts can be sinful. Whether we like to admit it or not we all "indulge" in thoughts. There is nothing wrong with finding someone attractive, but sin begins from that point onward. Where do you allow your thoughts to travel? Do you allow yourself to indulge in lustful fantasies about that person thinking all the while (to quote Billy Joel), "It's just a fantasy, it's not the real thing?" We convince ourselves that as long as we do not act on those fantasies we have not sinned. But Jesus knows that indulgent thoughts progressively, over time, can lead to actions. The more pervasive our fantasies become the more they hammer away at our defenses, eventually breaking them down and leading to us takings actions we never would have thought we were capable of doing. For this reason the author of Hebrews says to "fix your thoughts on Jesus." When faced with temptation, willfully divert your thoughts to Christ. This takes effort, but the Holy Spirit can help.
Jesus is also called an "apostle." We traditionally think of the term "apostle" as describing Jesus' 12 closest followers. But it literally means "sent one." In what sense is Jesus also an "apostle?"
Click on the icon below to listen to this lesson online or right-click to download it to your computer free of charge.
(c) 2010 Ten Minas Ministries, Inc., P.O. Box 827, Havre de Grace, MD 21078; (410) 935-0701
