December 9, 2025 -- Proverbs 6:27 -- Toying with sin? Stop it. Here's how

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People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Can a man carry fire next to his chest
  and his clothes not be burned?
Proverbs 6:27 ESV
 
Isn’t it crazy, the sins we fight are often the sins we toy with? Paul wrote of this when he stated he knows the right and good things he wants to do, but then forlornly adds “when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand” (Romans 7:21 ESV). Sin is like fire. Fire must be kept in the fireplace, or it will burn your hand, your clothes and whatever is valuable to you.
 
Fire in its proper place is warming and appropriate.

  • In the context of Proverbs, men and women must not toy with adultery—it is uncontained fire.

  • Gossip, a sin which is so common among believers, but often unchallenged. It is often phrased as if it were a prayer-request…but no prayer follows. It is a fire that must be quenched.

  • There is such a thing as just anger (see Ephesians 4:26) which motivates a person to act in righteousness, but anger which is self-centred and focused becomes a forest fire causing great damage.

 
This month, we are examining what sin is, and how it affects us. If you realize you are toying with sin, confess it to God. Remove whatever tempts you to sin far from yourself, i.e.: cell phone not near your bed at night; not gaming which inflames lust for anger and vengeance, guarding your lips from gossip by examining what you are going to say and your intention in saying it before you speak. Ask the Spirit of the Living God to focus your heart on the loveliness of Christ and with the Psalmist to ask to gaze upon His beauty (Psalm 27:4). Gazing upon His beauty means to consider the salvation of God. The attributes of God. The patient-lovingkindness of God that rescues sinners. The work of Jesus by which you are declared a beloved son or daughter of God. Spend time listening to and singing along with Christian songs and hymns, which fill the heart and imagination with the beauty of our Redeemer. All these activities focus the soul, strength and imagination on Jesus, in Whom we have living water that wells up to eternal life. The water of life, that puts out the fires of sin. What a glorious Father, Who provides for His children the way of health and life.
 
Faithful Father, I confess I have been faithlessly toying with sin. Looking at the glowing embers in a fire or handling a twig that has a burning tip, I can become enthralled with the dancing, playfulness of the fire and get so distracted from what is good, holy, and true, that I find myself burned. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, Who reveals our sin, but then also gives us the strength to turn to Jesus in confession. Then lead us to meditate on Your attributes, Oh God our Faithful Father. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/ndZsEDuCVAQ?si=OxjOxZpidpflZPjq Psalm 27 Shane and Shane
 

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