The Bible as Sin-Guard

The Bible as Sin-Guard

… according to the Bible [ESV]

• Biblical call to guard our hearts

• Proverbs 4:20-26: 20 My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.

• God’s Word works to … Define sin

• Matthew 5:28 : But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

• James 1:12-14: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

• Hebrews 4:12: 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.

• God’s Word works to … Explain the idolatry of sin

• Galatians 5:19-21: Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

• 1 John 2:15-17: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world–the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life[a]–is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

• God’s Word works to … Remind us of our accountability for sin

• Romans 14:12: So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

• 2 Corinthians 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

• God’s Word works to … Celebrate Christ’s victory over sin

• Romans 8:9: You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

• 2 Corinthians 6:14-18: Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

• 2 Corinthians 7:1: Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body[a] and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

• Hebrews 2:18: For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

• God’s Word works to … Call us into battle against sin

• 1 Corinthians 10:14: Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

• 1 Corinthians 11:31: But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:22: Abstain from every form of evil.

• 1 Peter 2:11: Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

• God’s Word works to … Arm us against sin

• Psalm 1:1-2: Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

• Ephesians 6:17: and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

• 2 Timothy 3:16: All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.

• God’s Word works to … Take away our excuses

• 1 Corinthians 10:13: No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

• Galatians 6:7: Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

• God’s Word works to … Remind us of our true loyalty

• Ecclesiastes 8:4: For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?”

• John 14:15: If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

• Romans 13:14: But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

• God’s Word works to … Help us deal with our sin

• Proverbs 24:16: for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

• James 5:16: Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

• Hebrews 4:15-16: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.