How to Overcome Sin

I Wouldn’t Do That

Megan Breedlove March 12, 2018 No Comments

The other day, 10-year-old Jessica spent the afternoon at a friend’s house. When she returned home, she brought with her a plastic Ziploc baggie of some of the cookies they had made. She placed the bag on the kitchen counter, and we managed to enjoy some cookies without eating them all the first night.

That’s why they were still there the next morning, when Timmy came to the kitchen to eat breakfast. Of course, he immediately spotted the bag of cookies on the counter. “Cookies!” he exclaimed happily, grabbing the bag.

“Timmy, you can’t have cookies for breakfast,” I said.

Timmy unzipped the bag. “Oh, I’m not, no,” he said innocently, reaching a hand inside. “I wouldn’t do that.”

“Then why is your hand in the bag?” I asked.

“I’m not having a cookie for breakfast,” Timmy said in what he probably hoped was a reasonable tone, as he withdrew a cookie. “I’m just having it for a snack.”

With that, he popped the cookie into his mouth and took a big bite.

We started justifying our actions to make wrong seem right in the Garden of Eden, and we still do it today.

Well, it’s not really gossip, per se. I’m just sharing information the other person should know.

I’m not doing anything everybody else doesn’t do, and most people do worse!

We’re masters at dressing up our sin to make it look like righteousness so that we don’t feel guilty. Sometimes, we dress it up so well that to others, it may even look like nobility.

God knows better. He who searches our minds and hearts isn’t impressed by the mental gymnastics we go through (whether consciously or unconsciously) to avoid the pain of knowing we’ve blown it. He knows what’s really going on within us, even when we don’t. He also knows that we have a hard time facing and owning up to what we’ve done.

That’s why, in an incredible demonstration of His perfect love and tender compassion, He removed our need to feel any shame. He didn’t make us stop sinning, but He did send Jesus to die on the cross, and while Jesus hung there, God punished Him for everything we would ever do. Just in case we didn’t understand the enormity of this, He also declared through Scripture that for those of us who are in Christ Jesus (in other words, those of us who have a relationship with him), there is no condemnation. He showed it to us, then He wrote it to us.

We are never condemned, no matter what we have done.

Next time you and I sin—and, sadly, there will be a next time—instead of hiding or justifying anything, let’s run straight to God’s loving arms. Let’s confess our sin and receive the healing and restoration He offers us. And then, let’s praise Him for His magnificent love and forgiveness—both here on earth, and someday, throughout all eternity.

Romans 8:1—Therefore, there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. (MGV)

$87

Megan Breedlove January 15, 2018 No Comments

A week or two ago, I went to the Walmart Neighborhood Market in our, well, neighborhood. I intended to buy only a gallon of milk and a pack of candy for Timmy. It was a trip that should have cost me about $3.50.

Want to know what I wound up buying?

• Brown sugar
• Frozen chicken nuggets
• 2 tubes of kid toothpaste
• A squishy toy for Lindsey
• 2 gallons of Blue Bell ice cream (chocolate chip cookie dough and vanilla)
• 3 gallons of milk
• 3 boxes of cereal
• 1 box of ice cream cones (to go with the Blue Bell)
• 1 package of gum
• A giant box of Eggo waffles
• A giant bag of candy
• 1 bag of chocolate chips
• 2 packs of rawhide dog bones
• 6 bags of dog treats
• 1 bag of jelly beans
• 1 dog toy

That’s because once I got to the store, I kept thinking of things I needed or wanted, and before I knew it, I had spent $87. Not $3.50, but $87.

Of course, if I had been going to Target instead of Walmart, I would have gone in there for $3.50 worth of merchandise and come out having spent $287, instead of $87. But that’s beside the point. The point is that once I got started, I spent more than I had intended to.

In this case, it wasn’t a problem. We had the money, and we would make good use of all the things I bought. Giving in to temptation turned out okay this time.

That’s not always the case.

We think we can control temptation’s grip on us. We think we can safely go just so far and no farther, but we wind up dishonoring our Lord because we trusted in our ability to make the right decision in the heat of temptation—despite repeated failures on our part, which should have been sufficient to prove to us that relying on our own willpower is not a good idea.

If we were smart—and if we truly understood our weaknesses—we’d never walk willingly into a tempting situation we could avoid. If there was no way to avoid it, we’d never walk in without taking precautions to keep ourselves from sinning. We’d consider in advance what temptations we might be about to face, and we’d do whatever it took to strengthen ourselves for the moment when temptation came upon us.

We’d pray on a regular basis. We’d read Scripture, fellowship with other believers, and attend church. We’d do all this, and more, in advance, so that when the battle came, we’d be victorious.

If you need to be more proactive about resisting temptation—and which of us doesn’t? —I encourage you to read Ephesians 6:10-18, one verse of which is quoted below. This passage tells us what God says we should do if we want to withstand temptation instead of fall to it. It’s the “Armor of God” passage, and it tells us how to gird ourselves for the battle.

It also points out that we need to gird ourselves before the battle comes, not after. Because by then, it may be too late.

Ephesians 6:18—Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  (NIV)

When You’re Tempted to Get Good Things in a Bad Way

Megan Breedlove June 27, 2016 No Comments

I should have known, when Timmy was playing quietly in his room for too long, that something was amiss.

I realized it when I entered his room and saw large, looping swirls all across his carpet—in yellow marker.

“Timmy?” I sighed. “Did you draw on your floor with this yellow marker?”

“Uh…uh….” Timmy ducked his head.

“Pretty much?” I prompted, and Timmy nodded.

“Why did you do that?” I asked.

“Because I wanted a pretty floor,” he said.

Well…that makes sense. Who doesn’t want a pretty floor? It’s a legitimate desire.

But Timmy tried to fulfill his legitimate desire by illegitimate means.

Did he know they were illegitimate means? You bet he did. We’ve had the don’t-draw-on-your-floor-with-markers conversation several times before. Yet he chose to disobey me simply because he wanted what he wanted and didn’t care whether or not he had to disobey me to get it.

Good thing you and I never try to get good things by illegitimate means, isn’t it? Oh, wait…we do.

We try to gain our husband’s agreement by nagging him.

We try to gain material goods or fun experiences by putting them on a credit card because we really can’t afford them any other way.

We try to gain emotional peace by denying reality or refusing to face it.

Is it wrong for us to desire our husband’s agreement, or material goods/vacations, or emotional peace? Of course not. But it is wrong for us to go about getting those things in any way that doesn’t please God.

Jesus knew that, of course. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he offered Him good things: food, a way to convince people to believe in Him, and authority over everything. Was it wrong for Jesus to desire those things? Of course not. He had a human body, so naturally, He desired food. (I can’t go for 40 seconds without eating, but He went 40 days.) He was the Son of God, so He is entitled to all authority, and it’s good and right for Him to desire that people should believe in Him.

But Jesus didn’t succumb to Satan’s temptations because He was unwilling to gain any good thing by illegitimate means.

What about you? What about me? Are some things so important to us that we’re willing to do illegitimate things in order to get them?

Before you say No way!, consider these questions: Do you ever try to gain peace in your household by yelling at your children? (Guilty here.) Do you ever try to gain people’s approval or admiration by boasting—or maybe just by “letting them know” about your accomplishments? (Um, guilty here.) Do you ever try to “encourage” your husband to change by being critical? (No comment. I’m going to plead the Fifth.)

When doing something bad in order to get something good doesn’t bother us—or when it does bother us, but we push those guilty feelings away and refuse to think about them—we are most certainly not being like Jesus. We’re not pleasing God. And ultimately, we’re not even pleasing ourselves.

You see, the reason God has told us not to do certain things in order to get what we want is because He knows not only that they aren’t right, but that the more we do them, the more they damage both us and others.

What are you willing to commit in order to get what you want?

We need to throw ourselves on God’s mercy if we’re willing to commit anything less than holiness.

Matthew 4:4—Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (NIV)

The Ultimate Reason We Hide from God

Megan Breedlove June 6, 2016 No Comments

The seven of us had just arrived home from a trip to Houston. Of course, we all had plenty of stuff to unpack and put away. I headed to my bedroom to take care of the things in my suitcase, but the door was, strangely, locked.

So I picked the lock with a toothpick we keep wedged into the upper doorjamb for that very purpose, only to find Timmy nestled into our mound of pillows, headfirst.

‘Timmy?” I asked. ‘Why are you hiding in my pillows?”

Timmy shot me a sideways glance. “Because I thought you were Daddy.”

“Why were you hiding from Daddy?”

“Because he would want me to unpack,” Timmy said.

It’s not like Timmy was well-hidden. But at least he had the strategy right: if you don’t want someone to find you, you hide.

It’s the same strategy Adam and Eve used when they wanted to hide from God, as well as the same strategy that we, their descendants, have been using ever since. When we don’t want to take the chance of coming face to face with God, we hide from Him.

Maybe we hide because we’ve done something wrong and don’t want to get in trouble. We think if we can avoid thinking about God, much less actually talking to Him, then we can avoid whatever consequences might be coming.

Maybe it’s because we don’t want to feel guilty about something we’ve done. If we can ignore God steadfastly enough, we won’t have to feel the burden of guilt which is justly ours.

Those two reasons for hiding are pretty common. But the third reason is perhaps the most common of all: We hide because we don’t want to have to come to terms with God’s authority over us and our lives. We want to do what we want to do, and if we encounter God, we might have to let Him be in charge. So we do our best not to encounter Him.

No matter which one of these fits our circumstances, it’s not the ultimate reason we attempt to hide from God. When it comes right down to it, we hide because we’re afraid.

We’re afraid of God.

Not that we probably realize it. We probably think we’re just afraid of the consequences of our actions, afraid of our emotions, or afraid of losing control.

But ultimately, we’re afraid of Him.

If we truly believed that when God allows us to face consequences, it’s for our good, we wouldn’t be afraid to face Him when we’ve done something wrong.

If we truly believed that God would walk with us through any emotion we face and bring us out stronger on the other side, we wouldn’t be afraid to face our guilt.

If we truly believed that with God in control, our lives would be much better, we wouldn’t be afraid to let Him make the decisions.

It all comes down to what we believe about God.

What does your fear level say that you believe about Him?

1 John 4:18—There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (NIV)

When Satan Tries to Bring You Down

Megan Breedlove April 11, 2016 No Comments

Some days, the most exciting part of my day is when the kids’ bedtime arrives.

Such was the case the other day. I found Timmy playing games on his computer, and I told him media time was over. The following conversation ensued:

Me: “It’s time to get your jammies on.”

Timmy: “But I want to play on my computer!”

Me: “Sorry. It’s bedtime.”

Timmy: “Can I watch TV after I get my jammies on?”

Me: “No. I’ve told you it’s time for bed.”

Timmy (sadly): “I don’t think you’re my best friend anymore.”

Me: “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Timmy (sadly): “I think you’re the meanest mommy in all the cities and towns.”

Me: “Hmm, that’s too bad.”

Timmy (sadly): “I don’t think anybody likes you.”

I must admit that I found the conversation funny, in a way. Poor Timmy was trying so hard to manipulate me into doing what he wanted. And for a just-turned-four-year-old, his attempts were actually pretty skillful. I mean, think about it: Timmy took my desire to be connected with him and to have people like and approve of me and used it against me. At four years old, I think that reflects pretty impressive thinking skills.

You know who else besides our children loves to try to manipulate us by using our legitimate desires against us? Satan.

Does any of these statements Satan loves to whisper in our ears sound familiar to you? Maybe more than one?

“Nobody likes you.”

“You’re a loser.”

“You’re not good enough.”

“You’re not capable enough.”

“Anybody could do that better than you.”

“You’re getting it all wrong.”

“You’re a screw-up.”

“If you were just prettier/smarter/skinnier/more talented…..”

How many sins have we committed in the name of proving ourselves worthy of love, or capable? How many times have we failed to stick to our guns because we didn’t want people to dislike us? How many times have we done the wrong thing, or failed to do the right thing, because we valued our emotional comfort over the spiritual blessings that come from pleasing God?

Our desire for people to like us isn’t wrong. It’s what helps us bond to one another. Neither is our desire for people’s approval necessarily wrong. When our legitimate desires become problems is when we place the fulfillment of those desires as a higher priority than obeying God.

What does Satan whisper in your ear? What is it he tells you that tempts you to make a desperate attempt to fulfill that desire, no matter what you have to do (or give up) to gain the fulfillment?

Whatever it is, I can guarantee you this—it’s probably not even true. Satan is the father of lies (see John 8:44). He will whisper anything in your ear if he thinks it will get you to do what he wants. He doesn’t care if it’s true—he only cares if it works.

When he comes to you and tries to tempt you, you have a choice. You can either buy into what he says, that you would be more emotionally fulfilled if you do what he wants. Or, you can stand firm in your belief that the spiritual blessings God provides from doing the right thing are far more fulfilling than avoiding the emotional pain Satan threatens you with.

And you can remember this: that Satan’s goal is to destroy you. Utterly ruin you. Lay your life to waste. Wipe you out. Anything he suggests you do will lead you toward devastation, if you do it. That’s why he has to get you to think you’re protecting yourself by listening to him. See—even that is a lie!

On the other hand, God’s goal is to give you abundant life. He wants to fill you with a spiritual joy that’s beyond all imagining. He wants to make you a shining example of His goodness and glory in a dark, dark world.

So which will it be? Will you listen to Satan’s voice, or to God’s?

When it comes time to choose, remember this: You can’t reach joy by heading toward hell.

John 10:10—The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (NIV)

What’s Really in the Box?

Megan Breedlove July 13, 2015 No Comments

Imagine you’re a seven-year-old child who has just received a gift from someone. You’re happy about that, of course. You thank the giver, and you open the box.

Now, imagine that inside the box is not just one gift, but a whole slew of gifts! You find a paint set, a craft kit, some candy, and ten or fifteen other cool-looking things. Now you’re not just happy, you’re delighted! You can hardly wait to begin playing with all your new stuff.

At least that’s how Jessica felt recently when she opened a box to find a treasure trove of gifts from a family friend. She was thrilled! As soon as she could, she opened the paint set.

Actually, she had to have me open the paints. The lids were stuck to the containers by hardened paint. When I finally got the lids open, Jessica discovered that inside the containers was…more dried paint. They were useless. (These were not the kind of paints you could simply add water to.)

Disappointed, Jessica moved on to the next item, a craft set that would help you turn an ordinary jar into a jar with a cute ladybug top. It came with googly eyes and everything. The only problem was…that the back had come off one of the googly eyes before she even touched it.

The candy? Most of it was melted into shapeless lumps that were stuck to the wrappers. The other items? Some of them worked. Others were broken or unusable.

I’m sure you can imagine Jessica’s disappointment when she realized that her awesome gift wasn’t as great as it had appeared to be at first. It was sweet of the giver to attempt to give her a nice gift. But the gift wasn’t what the giver had intended to give, I’m sure, and it wasn’t what Jessica had thought she was receiving.

There are other times in life, too, when we don’t get what we thought we were getting—when we expect something marvelous and find out that it’s really worthless, or maybe even harmful. I’m talking about when Satan gives us a beautifully wrapped gift that looks like everything we ever wanted, and we open it, only to find that what’s inside is dry and dead.

When do we accept gifts from Satan? When we believe his promises of glitter and perfection, despite the fact that they contradict God’s revealed word, or what we know He wants for our lives.

If you just keep nagging your husband, you can get him to change, Satan offers us. We gleefully accept, tear off the wrapping, and find that we’ve only undermined our marriage and made our entire household miserable.

If God really loved you, He’d be helping you more than He is now, Satan whispers. Go find your own means of making yourself feel better. So we do, only to find that at the end of the day, we feel much, much worse.

God’s plan for your life isn’t going to make you feel very good, Satan tells us. Look—here’s another plan that will be way more satisfying! The problem is, when we unwrap the promised satisfaction, we find that there’s nothing inside.

Friends, Satan’s whole purpose for your life is to destroy you, and/or use you to destroy others. He’ll tell you whatever he has to tell you to get you to go along with him. He’ll promise you the moon and the stars. He’ll convince you to follow, and when he’s through with you, he’ll leave you lying broken at the side of the road. And then he’ll go off to have a party while you’re left to pick up the pieces.

Is there any area of life in which you’re doing things your own way (or Satan’s way)? Any place you’re forsaking God’s commands and plans for something you think will be better or more satisfying?

Don’t let Satan trick you. There’s never a good gift inside the box. There’s only disappointment and shattered dreams.

Jesus offers you living water and eternal life. He can deliver, on both counts.

The devil offers you whatever your heart desires. But he can’t deliver, because he has no power to truly satisfy your soul.

Whose gifts will you truly seek after?

John 10:10—The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (NIV)

John 8:44b—When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (NIV)

1 Peter 5:8—Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (NIV)

Well…You Know…

Megan Breedlove May 4, 2015 No Comments

I realize that when you attend a church worship service, the idea is that you’re supposed to pay attention. But sometimes, it’s difficult. Sometimes, you have other things on your mind. Maybe you get distracted by somebody in another pew. Or maybe, like at our church, they dim the lights (except those focusing on the pulpit) when the priest or pastor preaches, and you’re sitting there warm, comfortable, and tired, in semi-darkness.

Whatever the reason that it’s challenging to pay attention, I understand. I’ve been there before. So a couple weeks ago, when my 12-year-old daughter, Ellie, was doodling in her bulletin, I understood (especially since, like her, I often listen better while doing something else). Later, my husband found her bulletin and jokingly said, “Ellie, it looks like your mind was wandering during the sermon today.”

“I couldn’t help it!” Ellie said. “I found a pencil, and it was sharp, and well…you know…”

For an artist like Ellie, the allure of a sharpened pencil, some available paper, and twenty minutes of free time was too strong to resist. She drew a beautiful dragon (she’s interested in mythical creatures).

We talked with Ellie about the need to pay attention to the sermon. But we understood why she succumbed to the temptation. Because really, don’t we all give in to temptation for the same reason?

Temptation came my way, and it looked desirable, and well…you know….

Understandable, yes. But not okay. Because usually when we say things like this, we’re trying to justify or minimize our sin. Well, you know, when that kind of temptation arose, what else could I have done?

Those words are nothing but a lame excuse. Scripture tells us that there is always a way out of temptation (see 1 Corinthians 10:13). Yet you and I want to shift the blame for our sin from ourselves to our circumstances so that we don’t feel as bad for having done whatever it was that we did.

God is not fooled. He knows we are the ones responsible. We are the ones who ignored His way out (or didn’t even look for it) and chose to sin.

God promises to forgive our sin when we’re truly sorry. But the only way we can be truly sorry is if we acknowledge what we’ve done. The only thing that minimizing our sin can do for us is deaden our conscience. It can’t actually make us less guilty.

When we’ve sinned, we need to admit it. God, I blew it. Not, Well, God, You know what happens when I find myself in a situation like that.

Only by confessing and repenting of our sin can we find forgiveness and restoration. As long as we try to minimize anything or make excuses, we’ll never have the intimacy with God that our souls crave.

Intimacy that’s far more beneficial to our soul than a false sense of blamelessness.

1 John 1:8-9—If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (KJV)