Preparing For Marketplace Revival: Part IV

One of my favorite videos is Bob Newhart as a counselor who only charges $5 for a 5-minute session. When a patient tells him of her fear of being buried alive in a box, Newhart says to her, “I have two words.” He then shouts, “Stop it!”

Once you’ve acknowledged your sin and are remorseful, the next step is to stop committing that sin.

Jesus healed a man by the pool of Bethesda. In John 5:14 Jesus said, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”

The meaning of repentance is to turn from sin. Ask God to help you to stop sinning, then just Stop It.

Questions For Reflection

• What steps might you take to help you stop sinning? Consider objects or situations that tempt you and how you might remove that temptation. Think of both the things you must stop doing and the things to start doing instead. Who can you rely on to support you in this?
• Think back to the first step you took that led to you giving in to whatever sin is holding you hostage now. Chances are it was pretty small. What small temptations can you identify in your life, currently? What safeguards might you put up now, before that sin becomes controlling?