The Root of the Problem: Chapter 12 – Not Filling Our Lives with Good Things (Excerpt)

April 15, 2011 by

The Root of the Problem (cover)We are familiar with David’s notorious sin with Bathsheba. He saw this woman bathing, inquired about her, invited her to him, committed adultery, and in order to cover up the pregnancy that resulted, he had her husband killed in battle and he took her as his wife. David was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). How did he ever get on the path that would lead to this? Notice what the text says:

“Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 11:1).

Where should David have been? At the battlefield leading his army. This was one of the reasons why the Israelites wanted a king in the first place (1 Samuel 8:20). But where was David instead? He was at home in Jerusalem. While there, away from his duties, he had to find some way to fill his time. This opened the door to sin.

You can read more about avoiding sin by filling our lives with good things in The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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The Root of the Problem: Chapter 11 – Curiosity (Excerpt)

April 8, 2011 by

The Root of the Problem (cover)Paul affirms to the Athenians that God created us. From the time of Creation, among all the other great things He did, He instilled in mankind a sense of curiosity. Why? It was so “they would seek for God.” Our curiosity is designed to make us ask certain questions: Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? Pursuing answers to these questions should lead us to God.

But curiosity can also get us into trouble. Satan took advantage of Eve’s curiosity to lead her to sin in the Garden.

“The serpent said to the woman, ‘You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate” (Genesis 3:4-6).

Satan uses our curiosity to get us to experiment with sin. We do something just to see what it is like. In order to use our curiosity against us to commit sins we have not previously committed, he must minimize the consequences of sin. That is what he did with Eve. Notice that he did not try to convince her that eating of this tree was not a violation of God’s law. He conceded the fact that it was a transgression. But he did not want her to allow the penalty to deter her from seeing how she could benefit from it. She understood the penalty of death that came with violating God’s instruction. But Satan said, “You surely will not die,” and then told her what she could gain from her sin.

You can read more about overcoming your curiosity of sin and learn how to channel your natural curiosity toward more profitable pursuits in The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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The Root of the Problem: Chapter 10 – Materialism (Excerpt)

April 1, 2011 by

The Root of the Problem (cover)We live in a materialistic society. So apparent is this reality that I believe examples need not be given. As Christians we must be careful that we do not follow after the world in this regard. Paul gives us a sobering warning about having a materialistic attitude:

“If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:8-10).

It is important to notice that Paul does not say that money is the root of all sorts of evil. Rather he says the love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. Hence, this warning is not exclusively for the rich. Those who are poor are often guilty of this as well. The text says, “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare.” No matter who we are, rich or poor, we must guard against this mindset.

You can read more about how we can combat materialism in The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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The Root of the Problem: Chapter 9 – Impatience (Excerpt)

March 25, 2011 by

The Root of the Problem (cover)Our culture has long promoted the “instant gratification” mindset. We do not want to wait, we want to have our desires realized now. We have credit cards to buy things for which we have yet to earn the money to pay for them. No down payment home loans allow us to move into our own house before we save enough money for a down payment. We can cook our food with microwaves, pay for our gas at the pump, and instantly download music, books, and movies from the internet.

It is not always wrong to receive what we want instantly, but we must guard ourselves against becoming accustomed to that mindset. Expecting the things we want immediately, rather than having to patiently wait for some things, can lead to sin.

Satan tries to use this mentality against us. He tells us not to wait for God’s plan, but to indulge ourselves now. Why wait for marriage when we can engage in sexual relations now? Why wait for riches in heaven when we can pursue riches here using any means necessary? He wants us to give up God’s reward that will come later in the hopes of obtaining an inferior reward now. Sadly, this tactic works against many people.

You can read more about sin’s promise of an immediate reward and the patience necessary to receive God’s greater reward in The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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The Root of the Problem: Chapter 8 – Peer Pressure (Excerpt)

March 18, 2011 by

The Root of the Problem (cover)“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).

Who are we going to try to please? If we are trying to please men, then like Paul, we cannot be a servant of Christ. We have to make that choice. To follow the crowd and succumb to peer pressure prevents us from being able to serve the Lord as He demands.

We need to give up the desire for popularity and acceptance from our peers, no matter how old or young we are. The way of Christ is not a popular path. This lesson is repeatedly given throughout the New Testament.

You can read more about overcoming peer pressure and learning to please Christ first in The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!

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