Sin is hardly what happens at the spur of the moment. There is what we might call the process of sin. Whenever sin occurs, it is because a process has been followed. It is when the process is followed and the cycle completed that actual sin takes place.
To understand the difference between phileo and agape, consider the former is directed at people we think are deserving of it; whereas the latter is for all people, including those who are undeserving. It is in this light we understand Jesus’ commandment that we love our enemies and those who despitefully use us. You cannot attain this level with eros or phileo; it can only be by agape. We are called to love supremely just as Jesus did.
Believers without access to the word of God will be at the mercy of the devil. This is why we said earlier that if the word of God is scarce, victory is far. At the beginning of a new month like this, you ought to have a strong appetite for the word of God. If you strongly desire it, God will get His word across to you one way or another. With the revealed word of God, you shall do exploit all through the month.
Whereas a lie is capable of travelling wide and fast, it does not last forever. Sooner or later a lie will fall apart. The truth will ultimately level up with the lie and surpass it. Our text says a lying tongue is for a moment; therefore, no matter how long it may seem, those who hold on to the truth will triumph.
At that moment, he was not only lying, he was living a lie. He loved the admiration of people and wanted to be revered. That was why he tipped the apostles with money in exchange for the power of the Holy Spirit.
Those who lie seek to illegally control others. They give wrong information upon which others form opinion and make decisions. That is one of the reasons why God frowns at lying and liars. Lying is one of the works of the flesh; and those who walk in the flesh cannot fulfill the laws of the Spirit.
Cain lied in this instance in order to cover his track and avoid responsibility. Lying is a medicine many people apply to treat a wrongdoing; but it is a very poor medicine indeed. It is the kind of medicine that is worse than the disease they hope to cure. One problem with this is that once you tell a lie, you may have to keep telling other lies to keep you from being discovered.
Generally, people are looking for how to make a living. Unfortunately, most people are actually making a lie. When people lie in the course of their transactions, they inappropriately call it business. A lie and a business are not synonymous. Making a living by making a lie, makes you a cheat.
People are faced with the same daily struggle for survival; the same struggle to keep their home together; fighting to keep a good health and have a decent living. Above all, the plague of sin is ravaging every corner of the globe. If the problems of humanity are the same, the solution too must be the same. This solution is found in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
When you turn to difficult passages in the Bible like the book of Numbers, Revelations, or portions with genealogy, you are building up your endurance level. Other exercises like fasting and delaying gratifications will eventually toughen you and make you a good soldier of Christ.
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