“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season”
–Hebrews 11:24-25
From time to time, the questions have cropped up: “Why is sin so strong? What is so attractive about sin that man cannot triumph over it–if only for a while–without help from above?”
In short, “What makes sin so alluring?”
The short answer is: sin provides pleasure–at least for a season.
Initially, sin satisfies man’s craving for pleasure–for a short while.
What is so insidious about sin is the initial pleasure. Even after the physical pleasures have ceased, sin remains very difficult–if not impossible–to overcome due to man’s fallen nature.
Why is this?
One answer is that fallen men pursue activities which have brought them pleasure in the past. Even when they strongly suspect that pleasure is no longer to be found in such activities.
Sin causes death: both physically and spiritually.
EVEN when the sinner KNOWS his sin will physically harm him, many still cannot break free.
“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
–James 1:14-15
Sin brings death. But before death and eternal condemnation, sin brings misery.
How many smokers will admit “This is killing me! I have to quit!”?
Yet, even though most smokers know their behavior is physically harmful (spiritually destructive, as well, but that’s another article), they will continue.
How many continue to smoke EVEN after they themselves admit that behavior no longer brings them any pleasure?
Some even smoke right up until their dying breath.
Can part of this persistence be attributed to man’s never-ending search for pleasure?
Much the same is true with those who drink large amounts of alcohol or do large amounts of recreational drugs.
Much the same is also true of those behaviors which directly affect others as well, such as adultery or fornication (which have largely ceased to be considered sin, due to the constant cultural indoctrination over the years from the media and entertainment).
How many readers know someone who is a “serial cheater” who, as time passes, increasingly hooks up with partners who bring them nothing but pain?
So many will continue these self-destructive behaviors LONG after any pleasure received from their sin has ceased.
There’s much more to it all than merely pleasure…
However, pleasure is a strong allure. Fallen man’s flesh lusts after pleasure and chases after the IDEA or OPPORTUNITY for pleasure.
But sin features misery, death and problems–even after the physical enjoyment once experienced has stopped.
Sin offers a few, brief moments of pleasure before demanding its often lifelong payment.
BUT, make no mistake: it is the pleasures of sin which trap many.
Especially initially.
Pleasure is the bait used to snare man into sinning.
DOES the reader believe there’s nothing wrong with the 60’s philosophy of “If it feels good, do it“?
It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: Making a Choice
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The End Times Power of God Unleashed
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE
- God’s Grace Misunderstood: License to Sin
- Romans 6-7: A Servant or a Captive of Sin?
- Why Is Man Drawn to Sin?
- Blessed Is the Man Unto Whom the LORD Imputeth Not Iniquity – Part One
- Blessed Is the Man Whom the LORD Imputeth Not Iniquity – Part Two
- Sin Equals Death: The Perfect Judge will Judge Perfectly
- The Nature of Spiritual Deception
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: July 17, 2018.]
MORE
- Terror, Chaos, Panic, Fear: What’s Ahead for Unbelievers in the End Times
- The Normalizing of Illegitimate Supernatural Power in the End Times
- The Powerless Churches: Church Folk and Their Lack of God’s Power
- PRAYER: A Few Thoughts on Prayer and Praying
- Constructing One’s Own Reality Begins with Self-Deception
- Satan Has Counterfeited the Christian Church
- The Deceptions of Demonic Power
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- The Nature of Spiritual Deception
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: Wikimedia Commons/pd
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-18. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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