To sum up previous posts, the conclusion is: Yes, all sin is sin is sin.
Just because we may not see the consequences of some sins, does not mean it is not equally sin.
All sin destroys; all sin leads to death.
Jesus heals; He leads to life.
If you commit a heart sin, you may not wind up in an earthly prison, but you will be in a prison of your own making, Christian or not.
Maybe you have not committed a murder of another human being, but have harbored hatred in your heart. Hatred, when taken to it’s natural conclusion leads to murder. In God’s eyes, it is murder, but before it leads there overtly, it leaves a path of destruction in the life of the person and in those around him/her.
Where does it lead?
On a radio program, I recently heard the story of a man who found himself in prison for murder. He was a good man. He was only trying to protect his two step-daughters from their abusive biological father. However, he harbored hatred in his heart and it led him farther than he ever intended to go. Don’t delude yourself that you could never find yourself in that position, because we are all capable if we allow the heart sins to grow and fester in our lives. The end result may have protected the girls from their biological father, but it took a good man away from them for life as well and left them with trauma and no dad at all.
This man, in his determination to protect his step-daughters, allowed his heart to harbor prison bars. What were they? Possibly believing lies, bitterness, not seeking God in the situation, and much more. It is the seemingly small things that spoil our hearts and lead us to paths we never intended. The same is true of all heart sin, be it lust, bitterness, hatred or more.
What do you suppose the actions of these fathers has planted into the hearts of the children? The damage is extensive and while it can be healed, cannot be removed. There will be plenty of scars in the lives of these children. The families, friends, communities, and even society will also pay a price.
So what bars make up your prison?
Can you name them?
What would you be willing to do to get out of prison?
Are you in denial about the consequences of your pet sins?
Some of the bars that keep us from living fully as we should:
Guilt (real and false)
Hatred
Bitterness
Ruined Relationships
Believing lies
Denial
Judging
Unintended consequences
Planting hatred, bitterness, sin, in other hearts
Hatred, bitterness, other sin planted in my own heart.
Jesus stands with the key, purchased with His own blood, but will not force you to allow him to open it.
“Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.”
Elvina M. Hall (public domain)
Can you name more bars that imprison us?
Derek Mansker
Feb 06, 2012 @ 20:38:13
I have often said to students that people often get comfortable in their prison cell, even though they have been set free. That cell is comfortable, it is all they know. But, who the Son sets free is free…so get out of there an live in that freedom.
ansuyo
Feb 07, 2012 @ 03:04:26
Very true. Yet we all find it difficult at times to live in freedom, throwing wide the bars an stepping out into the unknown. We often want to run back to Egypt as soon as the unknown makes us long for the comfort of our self- imposed prison. Sadly, it shows a lack of trust in the One who goes with us on this journey. Glad you stopped by 🙂
Derek Mansker
Feb 07, 2012 @ 06:12:23
Remember the Keith Green son, “So you wanna go back to Egypt?” You reminded me of that with your comment. It is a great son that illustrates this.
Derek Mansker
Feb 07, 2012 @ 06:12:50
Keith Green *song (sorry)