May 23 - Returning To Sin.

Proverbs 26:11
“As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.”
 
The Apostle Paul struggled with repeatedly finding himself in sin; even though he desired to do what he knew was right. If he wrestled with his flesh, we must expect to find ourselves in the same battle.
 
Romans 7:15,18-19
“For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I…For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”
 
Our flesh desires to return to sin while our spirit desires to refrain from sin. There is a constant battle raging within a child of God.
 
Galatians 5:16-17
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
 
God sends clear evidence of salvation when His children fall into sin.
Hebrews 12:6-7
“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?”
 
God chastens His children in love.
If there is no chastisement, there is no salvation.
 
Hebrews 12:8
“But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”
 
A fool returns to his sin over and over again.
A righteous person cannot return to sin without repercussion.
 
Proverbs 3:11-12
“My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”
 
Thank the Lord for His chastening hand today for it reminds us that we are His children.
 
 
Bible Reading:
2 Samuel 17-18  |  1 Corinthians 10  |  Proverbs 23