GOD DEFINES SIN. We do not have the ability to define what sin is and what it is not. God as Creator of all things has that sole responsibility. Unless of course you created yourself, which you and I both know is a lie. I have resolved myself to the fact that I am His creation and He is the Creator. There are many things that I need to just trust and obey. I am flawed, He is perfect in all His ways.

Humanity is sinful, He is holy. It is essential that the man of God studies His Word, not merely glances at it and takes in a devotional once in a while. ALL Scripture is the inspired, God breathed, revealed Word of the Lord. It is good for rebuke, correction, warning, instruction in righteousness. Scripture defines sin. In the OT, there were different kinds of laws: civil law, ceremonial law, and moral law. Civil laws were distinctly for the governing of Israel as a nation set apart by God. Ceremonial laws were the temporary sacrificial system of atonement until Jesus was to come.

We are not bound by these, Christ fulfilled the law. Then there is moral law. It is true that Christ fulfilled the moral law as well, but that does not mean it was abolished. He came to fulfill law, not abolish it. Moral laws govern man’s doings. (Think 10 commandments, these are moral laws) People will try to tell me we do not need to read the OT, it’s been done away with its law. God still views murder, lying, coveting, adultery, fornication, jealousy as sin. Human sinfulness has not changed. From the beginning, Cain through jealousy murdered his brother and then lied about it. This still happens today.

The sinful nature that Christ overcame on the cross, must still be resisted through the power of the Holy Spirit in those born again. If we cannot resist sin, then there is no reason to warn us against it. But we see in Scripture, this is not the case. “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:19-21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬Adultery- (Gk porneia) sexual activity outside the marriage union, includes lust of the eyes Fornication- all sexual sins, evil deeds and vices, including thoughts and desires of the heart Uncleanness and lasciviousness- sensuality, following one’s passion, having no shame or public decency Idolatry- worship of spirits, persons, etc; trust in such institutions having equal or greater authority than God and His Word Witchcraft- (Gk pharmakeia) worship of demons and use of drugs to produce spiritual experiences Hatred- intense, hostile intentions and acts, extreme dislike Variance- quarreling, antagonism, struggle for superiority Emulations- resentfulness, envyWrath- explosive anger, violent wordsStrife- unrighteously seek power, positionSeditions- introducing divisive teachings not supported by God’s WordHeresies- division within the congregation into cliques that destroy the unity of the churchEnvy- resentful dislike of another who has something one desiresDrunkenness- impairing ones mental control by alcohol, or other substances Reveling-excessive partying, an intoxication spirit This is not exhaustive, other places like 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Revelation 21:8 specifically mention “homosexuality, liars, fearful or cowardly, murderers” and the like. Paul final comments about the acts of the sinful nature is stern and forceful. Notice that many of these are controlling the thought life, not merely actions. These things were written to the church, those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb and renewed by the Holy Spirit. Any so-called Christians that willfully and continually engage in these type of sins shut themselves out of the kingdom of God.

We have an obligation to our Savior to put to death the flesh and live according to the Spirit. “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:12-13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬Any doctrine that teaches you do not have to put to death sin, or that you cannot overcome sin through the power of the Holy Spirit; it is a doctrine of demons. Sin must be addressed. #runyourrace

To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page