I am a Sinner

By Dean Honeycutt

Blue Ridge Christian News

I am saddened by recent news reports about pastors and church leaders who have sinned by sexual misconduct. Some of these reports are almost unbelievable, how could some of these well-known men who preached the word of God fall into such tragic sin?

I am reminded that I am not above sin. I am a sinner and the moment I let my guard down I become susceptible to sin. When any Christian lets their guard down, they are vulnerable to falling into sin. No one is above sin or temptation to sin. The Bible says, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” We “come short” because we are born in sin and our actions no matter how reverend or good do not satisfy God’s holy standard. (Romans 3:23) “If we say that we have not sinned we make God a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:10.

The Bible says a person is tempted when he is drawn away by his lust and enticed. (James 1:14) Our sinful desires drag us away from what is righteous. If we do not stop and turn our hearts and minds back to God; then the sinful desire brings forth sin. Sin is the willful breaking of God’s commands. God is saddened when I disobey Him, and my sin breaks my fellowship with God. As a born-again believer washed in the blood of Jesus, God does not kick me out of the family. He does not forfeit my salvation. He did not forfeit Moses’ salvation, He did not forfeit David’s salvation, nor did He forfeit Peter’s salvation. He wants me to repent of my sin and turn my heart back towards Him. Repentance restores my fellowship with the Father.

An example of this is King David a man after God’s own heart. When David should have gone off to battle, he stayed home. (Men there are places we should not go, there are sites on the internet we never need to view). While walking on his roof he saw a woman who was bathing. Seeing the woman bathing was not a sin. David could have looked away. However, David looked, lingered, and lost control. Instead of bringing his thoughts and desires under control, his desires drug his heart and mind into lust. That lust led to inviting Bathsheba to his home where he committed adultery. David was not above sin, and neither are we. However, the sweet psalmist did not remain in a backslidden condition when confronted with his sin David repented. Psalm fifty-one is David’s prayer of repentance and restoration. Psalm 51:1–4; 10-12.

“1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:

According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity,

And cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions:

And my sin is ever before me.

4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned,

And done this evil in thy sight:

That thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, And be clear when thou judgest.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God;

And renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence;

And take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;

And uphold me with thy free spirit.”

We must guard our hearts and mind against sin. The following are some ways we can guard our life against sin. First, the Bible says to set our minds on things of heaven and not on things of the earth. (Col. 3:2). An idle mind is the devil’s advocate. When my mind is on Jesus then my thoughts and actions will please Him.

Second, the Bible says, “thy word have I hide in my heart, that I might not sin against God.” (Psalm 119:11) Sin will keep us from the Bible, or the Bible will keep us from sin. Memorizing scripture is a deterrent from sin.

Third “walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16) To “walk in the Spirit” means to be filled with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to conduct a lifestyle in you that is pleasing to God.

And fourth the Bible says to resist the devil and He will flee from you. Do not give place to the devil and his evil tricks. When a wicked thought comes into your mind resist it, do not give place to it. Do not allow or give room to those desires that would drag your heart and mind away from God.

I am a sinner saved by grace and washed in the blood, I am not perfect, but I serve a sinless and gracious Savior. Thank you, Lord, for saving a sinner like me.

Living with no Regrets,

Pastor Dean Honeycutt

Addendum: Considering the school shooting in Texas. We spend billions of dollars overseas. Protecting our children should be the highest priority. I am an advocate of metal detectors and checkpoints much like they do in airports. I realize it is not an easy fix but if we can do this in airports and before I go into a concert or Mountain state fair we can do more to protect our most vulnerable children.