Concealment vs Confession

Getting ready for our study in Davids life I spent the morning studying 2 Samuel chapter 11.  As I read these verses over and over again I could not help but think of this verse. in Proverbs 

Proverbs 28:13 “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”

 In 2 Samuel 11  we are told about David’s adulterous relationship with Bathsheba. Not only are we told about his sin but we are given some insight into his attempted coverup of this sin.  David made several attempts to keep his sin covered. He resorted to lying and murder and for a while it seemed like it worked.  However there is a little phrase at the end of chapter 11 vs 27   “but the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.”  

Try as we will we can never hide our sin from God’s eyes.  God is a gracious God, a loving God and a caring God.  He is our Father and tells us to come boldly to the throne of grace to find help in our time of need.  He promises to answer our prayers, he tells us to ask, knock, seek and we shall find.  However there is one thing God will never help us do.  God will never help us hide or conceal our sin.  It is ironic that the sin David tried the hardest to cover up is the sin for which he is most well know.   Scripture says be sure your sin will find you out.  Numbers 32:23  That is not a threat it is a promise.  God loves us to much to allow us to live with hidden sin.  He knows the consequences.  Psalm 32 is David’s testimony of what it is like to live with unconfessed sin in your life.  

“For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.”  Psalm 32:3-4

God is a merciful and gracious God and he loves us to much to allow us to live with the torment of unconfessed sin.  If we do not confess it and choose to cover it up God promises that our sins will find us, it will be exposed.  

When we sin the temptation is always to cover it up, hide it, to excuse it or justify it.  But he who does so will experience the torment of a guilty conscience. However, we serve a God who tells us … “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9 

David tells us what happens when we choose to confess rather than conceal our sin. 

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.”  Psalm 32:1- 2, 

I takes humility and brokenness to confess but if we do we find cleansing, forgiveness, renewed joy and fellowship with God.  As hard and humbling as confession is, concealing our sin will be even harder and cost us more than we ever imagined. 

Confession does not cancel the consequences of our sin but it removes the torment of a guilty conscience.  He who confesses find not judgement, rejection or scorn.  But He who confesses finds mercy.  What a wonderful promise.  One we need every day to remember.  

If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ, born again by the Spirit of the living God and are trying to conceal or cover up a sin in your life.   I believe, based on the authority of Gods' Word, I can say two things for sure...

1. You are miserable.   
2. Your sins will find you out.  It may take a while but they will.   

You need to go to the throne of grace to find mercy today.  Humble yourself, turn from your sin, (repent) and God will cleanse you wash you, God will forgive you.  “God will once again instruct you in the way…” Psa 32:8   Therefore ...

Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!  Psalm 32:9-11 

David would sing again and so will you. Forgiveness comes to us through the death of Christ on the cross where he bore the punishment for our sin, and bore the full extent of God’s wrath against my sin.  God laid on Jesus Christ the iniquity of us all.  Isaiah 53:4-6   Now he offers that forgiveness to us.  I comes to us by trusting in what Christ did for us on the cross .  We cannot undo our sin by our good works.  The wages of sin is death, Christ has paid that penalty, we just accept the free gift by faith alone.  Romans 6:23

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

2 Samuel 12  

For further reading read Psalm 51   Davids prayer of confession and repentance. 

"The Righteous" Pt 2

"With Paul, we absolutely deny the possibility of self merit. God never yet gave to any person grace and everlasting life as a reward for merit...the true way of salvation is this: First, a person must realize that he’s a sinner, the kind of sinner who’s congenitally unable to do any good thing. "Whatsoever is not of faith, is sin." Those who seek to earn the grace of God by their own efforts are trying to please God with sins. They mock God, and provoke His anger. The first step on the way to salvation is to repent." (Martin Luther, Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians)
With those words from Luther reminding us that the life of the righteous is a life of faith, let me give you the remaining verses in Proverbs that speak of the blessings of the righteous.  The righteous are the ones who say with Paul
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose."
Galatians 2:20-21 

• Proverbs 13:5  The righteous hates falsehood,...
• Proverbs 13:9   ...The light of the righteous rejoices,
• Proverbs 13:21 … the righteous are rewarded with good.
• Proverbs 13:22   A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.
• Proverbs 13:25  The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite,...
• Proverbs 14:19  The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

• Proverbs 14:32 ...the righteous finds refuge in his death.
  
• Proverbs 15:6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,...
• Proverbs 15:28  The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,...
• Proverbs 15:29  ...The Lord … hears the prayer of the righteous.
• Proverbs 16:13  Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.
• Proverbs 16:31  Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.
• Proverbs 17:15  He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous
  are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
• Proverbs 17:26  To impose a fine on a righteous man is not good,...

• Proverbs 18:5  It is not good to be partial to1 the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.
• Proverbs 18:10  The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
• Proverbs 20:7  The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!
• Proverbs 21:15  When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous...
• Proverbs 21:18  The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,...
• Proverbs 21:26  ...the righteous gives and does not hold back.
• Proverbs 23:24  The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.
• Proverbs 24:15  Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous;
  do no violence to his home;
• Proverbs 24:16  for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,...
• Proverbs 25:26  Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
• Proverbs 28:1 ...the righteous are bold as a lion.

• Proverbs 28:12   When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,...
• Proverbs 28:28  When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.
• Proverbs 29:2  When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,...
• Proverbs 29:6 ...but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
• Proverbs 29:7  A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;...
• Proverbs 29:16  ...the righteous will look upon their (the wicked) downfall.
• Proverbs 29:27  An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,...

As we walk through this world we need the light of God's word to guide us and to guard us.  His word must be a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path.  His Spirit  must fill us each day empowering us to walk in His ways, and resist the temptations we are bombarded with every day.  What a contrast between the righteous and the wicked.  "If any man be in Christ he is a new creation old things passed away behold all things new."     
"God never yet gave to any person grace and everlasting life as a reward for merit...the true way of salvation is this: First, a person must realize that he’s a sinner, the kind of sinner who’s congenitally unable to do any good thing." Luther 
God's eyes are upon those who delight in his ways, so fear not.  By faith trust Him, walk with Him, He will never leave you or forsake you.  

"The Righteous" pt 1

Now we turn our attention to the verses in Proverbs concerning "the righteous".  There are 67 verses in Proverbs containing the word Righteous.  Each verse is a wonderful reminder of who we are as believers.  It reminds us that we have a great God, a loving Father who watches over us.  It reminds us that any good we do is through His strength not our own.  It reminds us that we are declared righteous in Christ Jesus.  We are clothed in His righteousness not our own.  Romans 10:1-4  This is a gift that comes to us by grace through faith alone in the finished work of jesus Christ on the Cross.  1 Corinthians 15:3-5  
The first mention in scripture of the word righteous is in Genesis.  That may help us understand it a bit better.                                          
 Genesis 6:9  These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.
The righteous are those who walk with God. What Does God promise to those who walk with Him? What does it look like to walk with God?    Read on 

•  Proverbs 2:20  So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.
• Proverbs 3:33  ...but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
• Proverbs 4:18   But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
• Proverbs 8:8   All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.

• Proverbs 9:9   Give instruction1 to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;  teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
• Proverbs 10:3   The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,...
• Proverbs 10:6  Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
• Proverbs 10:7  The memory of the righteous is a blessing,...
• Proverbs 10:11  The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,...
• Proverbs 10:16  The wage of the righteous leads to life,...
• Proverbs 10:20  The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
• Proverbs 10:21  The lips of the righteous feed many,
• Proverbs 10:24  ...the desire of the righteous will be granted.
• Proverbs 10:25  ...the righteous is established forever.
• Proverbs 10:28   The hope of the righteous brings joy,
• Proverbs 10:30  The righteous will never be removed,...
• Proverbs 10:31  The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
• Proverbs 10:32  The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
• Proverbs 11:8 The righteous is delivered from trouble,
• Proverbs 11:9 ...by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

• Proverbs 11:10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,…
• Proverbs 11:21 ...the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
• Proverbs 11:23   The desire of the righteous ends only in good;...
• Proverbs 11:28  ...the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
• Proverbs 11:30   The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.
• Proverbs 11:31  If the righteous is repaid on earth,  how much more the wicked and the sinner!
• Proverbs 12:3 ...the root of the righteous will never be moved.
• Proverbs 12:5   The thoughts of the righteous are just;...
• Proverbs 12:7 ...the house of the righteous will stand.
• Proverbs 12:10   Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast,...
• Proverbs 12:12 ...the root of the righteous bears fruit.
• Proverbs 12:13 ...the righteous escapes from trouble.
• Proverbs 12:21  No ill befalls the righteous,...
• Proverbs 12:26  One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor,...

More to come next week. For further reading may I suggest... John 15:1-5. Ephesians 4:1-3,  Ephesians 5:1-4,  Galatians 5:16,  Philippians 4:13

"The Wicked" pt 2

We continue with our overview of the "wicked" found in Proverbs.  These verses are from the last half of the book chapters 16-31.  These verses seem to be aimed more at the relationships of the wicked and the consequences of honouring the wicked and placing wicked people in power.  
Hebrews 4:13 "And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

• Proverbs 16:4   The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
  
• Proverbs 17:4   An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
  
• Proverbs 17:15   He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
  

• Proverbs 17:23  The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice.
  
• Proverbs 18:5   It is not good to be partial to1 the wicked or to deprive the righteous of justice.
• Proverbs 19:28   A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
  
• Proverbs 20:26   A wise king winnows the wicked  and drives the wheel over them.
  
• Proverbs 21:4  Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
  
• Proverbs 21:7  The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.
  
• Proverbs 21:10   The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

• Proverbs 21:12   The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin.
  
• Proverbs 21:18   The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright.
  
• Proverbs 21:27  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;  how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
  
• Proverbs 21:29   A wicked man puts on a bold face,...

• Proverbs 24:15  Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home;
  
• Proverbs 24:16 ... the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
  
• Proverbs 24:19   Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked,
  
• Proverbs 24:20   for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
  
• Proverbs 24:24  Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
• Proverbs 24:25  but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.
  
• Proverbs 25:5  take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
  
• Proverbs 25:26  Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
  
• Proverbs 28:1  The wicked flee when no one pursues,...
• Proverbs 28:4  Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.
  
• Proverbs 28:12  ... when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
  
• Proverbs 28:15  Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.
  
• Proverbs 28:28  When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.
• Proverbs 29:2  ...when the wicked rule, the people groan.
  
• Proverbs 29:7   A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
  
• Proverbs 29:12  If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.

• Proverbs 29:16  When the wicked increase, transgression increases,...
• Proverbs 29:27  ...one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.  

All you need to do is read the Old Testament as well as your history books to see these principles played out all to often.  Wicked men in power corrupt and destroy  countries, people, churches and families.   
But we know the end of the story.  The wicked do not win.  One day Christ is going to come back and destroy the wicked once and for all.  He will establish His Kingdom in righteousness, and the Knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth.  That day is coming so do not lose heart.    The Righteous One is coming back.  Are you looking for the blessed hope and glorious appear of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ? Titus 2:11-15        
      
Proverbs 21:12   The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin.
God is sovereign, Our God reigns now and forever more.   Is this God your God?  
Next time we will look at the verses that describe the blessedness and fruit of the righteous.  

"The Wicked" pt 1

As we read the book of Proverbs it is amazing to contrast what it says regarding the wicked and the righteous.  It is a very sobering study.  In these 31 chapters 82 references are made to the wicked and the fruit of their lifestyles.  Over the next few days I'd like to highlight these references both of the wicked and the righteous for our edification, warning and learning.  They are verses we need to read asking God for a heart of wisdom to walk in his ways.   Think about the principles of sowing and reaping being played out as you read these verses.   As we read these verses keep in mind this awesome reminder found in chapter 15.
"The eyes of the Lord are in every place keeping watch on the evil and the good." Proverbs 15:3

• Proverbs 2:22   the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.
  
• Proverbs 3:25   Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin1 of the wicked, when it comes,

• Proverbs 3:33  The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked,…
• Proverbs 4:14    Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.
  
• Proverbs 4:19   The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
  
• Proverbs 5:22   The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.
  
• Proverbs 6:12  A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech,
  
• Proverbs 6:18  a heart that devises wicked plans,  feet that make haste to run to evil,
  
• Proverbs 9:7  Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
• Proverbs 10:3  The Lord…..thwarts the craving of the wicked.
  
• Proverbs 10:6   …. but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
  
• Proverbs 10:7   ... but the name of the wicked will rot.
  
• Proverbs 10:11  ...the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
  
• Proverbs 10:16 ... the gain of the wicked (leads to) to sin.
  
• Proverbs 10:20 ...the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
  
• Proverbs 10:24  What the wicked dreads will come upon him,…
• Proverbs 10:25 When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more,...
  
• Proverbs 10:27 ...but the years of the wicked will be short.
  
• Proverbs 10:28  ... the expectation of the wicked will perish.
  
• Proverbs 10:30   ...but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
  

• Proverbs 10:32  ...,but the mouth of the wicked, (know) what is perverse.
  
• Proverbs 11:5  ...but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
  
• Proverbs 11:7  When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth1 perishes too.
  
• Proverbs 11:8   ...the wicked walks into it (trouble) instead.
  

• Proverbs 11:10  ...when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
  
• Proverbs 11:11  by the mouth of the wicked it (the city) is overthrown.
  
• Proverbs 11:18  The wicked earns deceptive wages,…
• Proverbs 11:23   ...the expectation of the wicked (ends) in wrath.
  
• Proverbs 11:31  If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
• Proverbs 12:5   ... the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
  
• Proverbs 12:6  The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,...
  
• Proverbs 12:7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,...
  
• Proverbs 12:10   ...the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
  
• Proverbs 12:12  Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers,...
  
• Proverbs 12:21  ...the wicked are filled with trouble.
  
• Proverbs 12:26  the way of the wicked leads them (neighbors) astray.
  
• Proverbs 13:5  ...  the wicked brings shame and disgrace.
  
• Proverbs 13:6  ...sin overthrows the wicked.
  
• Proverbs 13:9  ... the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
  
• Proverbs 13:17  A wicked messenger falls into trouble,...

• Proverbs 13:25  ...the belly of the wicked suffers want.
  
• Proverbs 14:11  The house of the wicked will be destroyed,...
  
• Proverbs 14:19  The evil bow down before the good, the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
  
• Proverbs 14:32   The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing,...
  
• Proverbs 15:6 ...but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
  
• Proverbs 15:8  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,...
  
• Proverbs 15:9  The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,…
• Proverbs 15:26  The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,...
  
• Proverbs 15:28 ...but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
  
• Proverbs 15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked,…

May I close with this humbling and awesome reminder from 1 Corinthians.

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,

nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

 1 Corinthians 6:19-12 

Have you been washed, cleansed and forgiven at the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 1:16;  Ephesians 2:8-10;  2 Corinthians 5:17    

"Don't Take the Bait"

The book of Proverbs is a book about living wisely. Wise living begins with the fear, reverence and awe of God. Proverbs 1:7. Wise living means listening to the instruction of our parents. Proverbs 1:8

The problem is we live in a world that despises God. We live in a world that wants nothing to do with God. Mankind has been infected with sin and the essence of sin is to live as if God does not matter. His law is irrelevant and his authority is despised. The point Proverbs drives home very early in the book is this - if we are to live wisely in this world, we are going to be doing so in a hostile environment. WE will not be applauded by the world for living in the fear of God.

That becomes obvious as your read this first chapter. Only 10 verses in and we read ‘My son if sinners entice you, do not consent.” Proverbs 1:10 Probably a better reading might be “when sinners entice you…” It’s not a question of if but when sinners entice you. You don’t have to have lived very long to know the reality of these temptations.

Here’s a dad who knows the world he is living in. He does not have his head stuck in the sand. Here is a dad preparing his child for the road, not running ahead preparing the road for the child. Great instruction for a child heading off to high school or college. Son here’s what you are going to face when you get there, so be prepared.

I want to make us think a little about this. We live in a world where people not only sin but take great pleasure in trying to entice others to join them in their sin. When Satan was kicked out of heaven for his pride and a third of the angels went with him Satan was not content to just sit around with the fallen angels and wait for God to cast him into the lake of fire, which one day is going to happen Revelation 20:10 . Satan went looking to corrupt, to entice and he found Adam and Eve two innocent people living in wonderful fellowship with God. Those people will always be some of the key targets of the Satan.

The one who has come to know Christ as Savior, and now fears God, loves God and desires to live a holy life, that person is going to become a target of the evil one. That is the one he is seeking to entice. The person who fears God, longs to obey him and walks with him on campus is going to stand out. Sinners don’t like to be shown up. They want you to fall, they want you to give in, they want you to be like everyone else. Lighten up, everyone’s doing it, come on join the party we’ll have a blast.

Proverbs says - when they come do not consent - do not give in. They will mock you, laugh at you, gossip about you, slander you and maybe even physically hurt you. People you once thought were your friends turn their back on you because you won’t go along. But still we must remain strong. If sinners entice you don’t give in. Why?
Proverbs 1:18-19. “They lie in wait for their own blood. . .”

If you lack wisdom God says it is readily available. Proverbs 1:20-21 James 1:5 It can be discouraging having to deal with these relentless enticements. But God will shine His light on your path through His Word. Remember this - God will give you the grace, strength and wisdom to walk through these mine fields.

We may be the target of their enticements but we do not have to become a victim. We may be the target of the enemy but we do not need to become a trophy of the enemy. Proverbs 1:33 “whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster”. Not so with those trying to entice you. Proverbs 1:19

Let me leave you with some encouraging words from Scripture to help you walk in victory.

Psalm 119:11 "Thy Word have i Hid in my heart that i might not sin against thee."

Proverbs 21:31 “The horse is made ready for battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.”
Joshua 1:8-9 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

2 Peter 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.1 John 4:4-6 ESV

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
1 Corinthians 10:13-14 ESV

Heading to College? Facing a hard time at work or home? Remember you are not alone. Be strong in the Lord and in the Power of His might. God is with you, God will fight for you. So if sinners entice you do not consent. Walk in wisdom.

Our enemy is defeated so put on the whole armour of God that you might the able to stand..." Ephesians 6:10-18

Read this passage a meditate up these liberating truths. Romans 6:16-18
Then remember God's promise "whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
Proverbs 1:33 ESV

Jesus says we are to daily "Take up your cross, (ignore the carrot) and follow me.