The Fire WithinMuestra

NO MIDDLE GROUND

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Samson’s weakness for women comes into play once more. This time, he fell in love with a woman named Delilah whom he thought loved him back. Little did he know that this woman had already betrayed him and was looking for a way to enrich herself by bringing about his downfall.

That is the way that sin works in our lives—we think it is harmless, we think it is helping us, but it is really trying to destroy us. It feels good for a while but it will destroy whatever it touches. There is no middle ground with sin. It goes completely against what God wants for us. Sin wants our death; God wants us to have His full life. Sin wants to ruin us; God wants to satisfy us.

Too often we are drawn into sin because we do not know how bad it is. That is how twisted our minds are apart from God. That is why Jesus died on the cross for us. It should have been us suffering that punishment, but He took our place. Not only did His death and resurrection set us free from sin, He also gives us the power to live a totally new life.

REFLECT

1. What sins are easy for you to avoid and resist? Which sin seems harmless or even attractive to you? What do those sins promise to give you that they cannot fulfill?
2. Are you so satisfied with God to the point that the promise of sin is no longer appealing? How are you pursuing God and His kingdom?

RESPOND

1. Ask God to open your eyes to sins that may be deceiving you into thinking they are harmless or good. Work out a practical plan to flee from them.
2. Find a friend or partner whom you trust to hold you accountable in these areas. This means you are giving them the right to pray for you, ask you questions, and even correct you in love.