Behind the Christian's Door

Articles

Kevin Heaton
10/27/24 - The Zephyrhills Beacon

(by Kevin Heaton)

Sin is real. It is no joke. We can all sin in some way or another (Romans 3:23). The good news of salvation in Jesus Christ is that we can confess our sins, repent of those things, turn to God for forgiveness and in baptism God washes our sins away. We are then freed from sin and the grip of Satan. We then enjoy the freedom from the guilt we had of our sins knowing that we are redeemed. What a joy it is to gain victory and defeat Satan!

Unfortunately, however, our battle with sin has really only just begun. When we were in sin and following Satan, Satan had us right where he wanted us and we were no challenge for him because we willingly gave in to sin. But when we become a Christian by turning our back to Satan to draw near to God, Satan isn’t too happy. He is then going to do anything he can to win us back to his side. He is going to tempt us to desire the pleasures of sin once again. It is a real battle and a serious fight. We are literally in fight for our lives; our eternal lives. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Satan wants to bring us back into the darkness. The darkness is where sin thrives. “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed” (John 3:19-20). “..unfruitful works of darkness…things they do in secret…” (Ephesians 5:11-12).

Christians are not immune to sin. Because of this, Paul says to us: “Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). We must examine ourselves and see what happens behind our closed doors. It is very real that Christians can wear the name of Christ, put on a front, seem to be godly by those on the outside, but privately they are committing sin that they think nobody will know; in fact, such that they don’t want anyone to find out.

I have been heartbroken over the years to hear of more and more Christians, my brethren, friends, loved ones who have been living in sin, all the while seeming to be a light in the church. It is heart wrenching to hear about one after the other having their secret sins revealed. They had been sinning behind their closed doors. I have seen so many souls in danger of hell fire, families destroyed, many unwilling to repent choosing the pleasures of sin over God and others. And to put this warning out there, I have heard of seven plus cases that were adultery and sexual immorality. My brethren, it is extremely shocking how many in the church are currently in adultery. So many, one too many have chosen the sin of sexual pleasure over the holiness that God has called us to. They have betrayed their God. Betrayed their Savior. Grieved His Spirit. Abandoned their spouse. Abandoned their children. It’s heartbreaking. I hate sin. I hate Satan.

We all need to heed the warning that there is no such thing as secret sin and that sin leads to death. What we do behind closed doors may been hidden from others, but it is never hidden from God. Solomon tells us of the pleasure of sin but also the death that it brings: “‘Stolen water is sweet, and bread that is eaten in secret is pleasant’ But…the dead are there” (Proverbs 9:17-18). Solomon also tells us that “God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). We cannot hide ourselves from God (Jeremiah 23:23-24). “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:12-13).

We cannot hide anything from God. All who are living in secret sin may go through life without anyone ever finding out. But one day they will stand before God and be judged according to their sins. God knows their sin and will judge accordingly. Any Christian who has gone back into sin has been blinded by the god of this world. They are following the devil who is the father of all lies. They are in a worse condition.

“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:26-31).

My prayer for all is that everyone who is currently in sin or ever find themselves in sin in the future will realize their sin, mourn over their sin, repent and come back to God for forgiveness before it’s too late. If you are reading this and you are currently in sin, whatever it may be, please repent now before it’s too late. If you are not in sin, then take heed lest you fall. Fight. Be strong and courageous. Fight against Satan. Do not give in. Resist him and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.