The Sin Addiction

We are all sinners. (Christians just so happen to be forgiven sinners.) We were born sinners, so when a gay/ lesbian; alcoholic, drug addict, sex addict, porn addict, pathological liars, kleptomaniacs and even food addicts tell you they can't stop their "lifestyle", they're right. They can't.

But God can! Jesus can!! Remember what Jesus said, "With man, nothing is possible but with God, all things are possible." (Mark 10:27) Have these "addicted sinners" taken the time to turn over their sins to God? Even the secular organizations recognize the use of a “higher power” as part of their programs to separate the members from their vices.


Romans 7:14-17 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.



Acknowledging Sin requires humility, humbling ones self before God, and often their peers. Once brought to this level, amazing spiritual growth transpires. The sin is often stopped dead in its tracks. The addiction is removed for good (unless the sinner invites it back into their life, a trait all addicts fight and usually on occasion succumb to. Proverbs 26:11; 2Peter 2:22)



Jesus promises us we will be tempted, but no more than He knows we can bear. In addition, He always provides a way out. (1Cor. 10:13) These struggles with the flesh help us know both good and evil, as promised in Genesis 3:17-19. Temptations can remind us to place our focus, our mindset on Christ in all we do. Haven’t you noticed temptation may be present, but easily defeat able when in prayer of study? Don’t you wish Christ can be with you at work, in play, in the mall to beat back temptation? Guess what? He can and is! He is our “way out!”



Just because we're forgiven sinners doesn't give Christians a license to sin (Romans 6:1). We need to stop sinning as much as we can, and God's grace will cover the rest. It's a struggle; yes, but one we can all win if our Lord Jesus Christ is first in our lives.

Have You Prayed for your Country Today? 8

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19,20; New King James Version

What are you doing to turn this country from its sinful ways? Are you confessing your sins, asking others to pray for you? Do you challenge those believers who are sinning with love and compassion, and pray for them?

There are plenty of people in the world who not only disbelieve the existence of a god, but they also deny Him. Others believe, but also believe they are “not good enough” or they simply refuse to humble themselves. These people need all of us to help them correct their “stinking thinking” so they too, may walk with the Lord.

No one can buy, borrow or steal their way into heaven. We can only beg. We must choose to beg. And the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ will give His grace to the humble. Then, while in faith and with the power of the Holy Spirit, we will repent and bear fruit.

Continue to pray for our neighbors, our politicians, and our land. Confront one another when we fall short, encourage one another, and love one another. God’s will be done.

© 2009 David Etenburn.

Have You Prayed for your Country Today? 7

"Go and tell Hezekiah, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years. Isaiah 38:5; New King James Version.

King Hezekiah was just told by the Lord he was to die and not recover from a serious illness. Hezekiah prayed to the Lord, humbling himself and the Lord rewarded Hezekiah with healing.

This is an example of the Lord’s mercy. Today, it appears that the world is doomed, the rise of the anti-christ is near, and the only thing we have to live for is to patiently wait for our Lord to return.

These are without a doubt the most troubling times the world has ever seen, and we, who have read God’s word, know they will get much worse. But I also see evidence that God is being merciful to those that honor Him.

Dubai, with all of its oil wealth, is having a serious cash flow crisis, which could topple it. The Greek economy is on the verge of collapse and could take the Euro with it. South Africa’s woes are just beginning. Zimbabwe has a currency that requires 10,000,000,000 to one US dollar…we can’t even buy paper napkins that cheap! And Somalia doesn’t even have a functioning government anymore.  Good heavens, we're doomed!

But wait. Through all of this, it appears in spite of all the debt America owes to the rest of the world, the very IOUs America owes to the world are not being called in as would be expected, and they should be. The value of the dollar continues to fall, but nowhere on the verge of collapse…for the moment.  In fact, it appears the rest of the world is starting to place their faith and trust in the dollar again!  If so, we could see commodity prices fall, interest rates remain low, and the economy recover beyond anything we could have imagined!  This would clearly be the hand of God on us all.

The Lord may be merciful, but He is also just. During this holiday season; from Thanksgiving through Chanukah and Christmas; give praises to the Lord for His mercy on us. Pray for and give to those in need. We may know our fate, but we don’t know when it will happen. We still have the Lord’s ear, and His mercy. We too can get a delay in the Lord’s execution.

© 2009 David Etenburn.