Can you feel sin taking root in your heart?

Have you ever felt a sin begin to take root in your heart?  And surprisingly you realize that the feeling does not shock you.  Because if you were completely honest with yourself you could identify all of the times you justified letting a critical thought slip by.  And instead of naming those feelings for what they truly were—jealously, pride, and bitterness—you dwelt on them long enough to satisfy your “rights” that were violated before you pushed them aside.  Only deceiving yourself that you have fled temptation, when really you are beginning to be ensnared.  Because that is no lasting satisfaction you received, rather it is the vapor of the temporary satisfaction of sin. 

Time passes and you happily think you have dealt with your wrong thinking because your inward struggle has subsided.  Only to be surprised when a new circumstance or event brings it up again in full force!  So you deal with it in the same manner as before.  Satisfaction quickly comes.  But in cyclical form the pattern repeats and it brings you to the honest conclusion that sin has begun to take route in your heart.  You now feel shame because you no longer see the speck in the other person’s eye, but you now clearly see the log in your own!

So what do you do?

^“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6

This instruction is given within the context of dealing with trials.  Trials are circumstances in our life that reveal our faith. So what do you do when you realize that the circumstances in your life have revealed your lack of faith?  James 1:5 tells us we need to ask God for wisdom!

Wisdom provides the key to endurance through your trying circumstances.  Wisdom gives insight into God’s will for you in the midst of your trial.  And wisdom leads to a godly lifestyle.  So? Pray for wisdom.  Ask God for wisdom by falling on your face before Him under the weight of your trial.

Remember – that God is the provider of wisdom and the promise in this verse is He gives generously to all who ask!  And His promise to provide wisdom comes cloaked in the mercy and gentleness of His character because He will never humiliate or shame you for asking (even if your behavior deserves such treatment!).

And cling to the promise that wisdom will be given to you!  When you cling to the promises of God you are revealing your faith in Him, as the One who keeps His word.  For when you cling to the promises of God then rest will come.  For belief in your Savior--who is full of mercy, kindness, goodness, forgiveness and power--is what breaks you from your cyclical pattern and uproots your sin.  Because you can't believe in your Savior and still hold tight to your "rights" that were violated at the same time.

[NOTE: If you want to hear more, listen to the sermon byScott Ardavandis given at Grace Community Church on July 21, 2013 on James 1:5-6]