The Consequences of Sin

1 Samuel 15:23-24 “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.”

This is not God being difficult or mean, its simply that our destiny is set on a different path when we reject the Holy Spirit and yield to another authority. When we choose sin, God is cut off and His plan rejected for that area of our life. A blindness comes in and our perceptions, our thinking and our actions are altered. This often leads to excuse for actions or being led further down the same path with devastating consequences. Worst of all we may never be able to receive the conviction of our errors.

In rejecting God’s word because of his fear of others, Saul would never again be in a place to be led of God. His decision had changed his destiny and that of all his offspring forever.

The culture of backsliding in the Church of the west is endemic and this is mostly due to false teaching and poor doctrine. Christians don’t understand the consequences of rejecting the leading of the Holy Spirit, which under the new covenant is sin. Forgiveness may come, but the consequences of rebellion can last a lifetime.

Consider that single act of rebellion by Eve and all the suffering it has caused in the world to understand the potential consequences of your next action. Do you know that the temptation you choose to give into today, will change your destiny forever and impact your children and their children? They will be faced with the same temptation that you are and will most likely follow the path you are setting before them today.

Its not just the consequences of the action, but it is the amount of effort that is required to bring about restoration thereafter. Each time we err we take a step down into a pit of bondage that we must one day climb out of if we are to have restoration in our lives. Each time we stumble, each day we delay, we fall deeper into that pit of destruction, further away from the voice and leading of God. There is no static place; we are either coming into restoration or moving further into bondage, making it harder to recover.

Today, don’t take that first step of compromise, don’t give in to the pressure from others. Stand fast in that which you know is right. And if you have fallen, don’t delay the decision for restoration. Tomorrow will be harder; today is the day of restoration, today is the day of healing.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.