How to Stay Away From Sin

Note: This devotional was originally posted on my youngest son’s 16th birthday, July 6, 2016. (He’s now 18) 

This young man brings me joy and never ceases to put a smile on my face or make me laugh.  Rarely can you take a “normal” snapshot of him.  Practically every picture is one with him making a goofy pose.  lol

One main tool that I’ve used to train my three young men is God’s Word.  There is no other better training tool available on this earth.  Over the years, I’ve tried to train them on “How to Stay Away from Sin”

Proverbs 4:15 says,

Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

We’ve been given a simple plan to avoid sin. It’s laid out exactly in the manner in which we’re to conquer sin’s temptation.  Below, I’m using “brownies”as a silly example of temptation.

1. Avoid it.     (If I’m staying away from brownies, I don’t bring them home!)
2. Pass not by it.   (If I’m staying away from brownies, I don’t linger nearby gawking at them.)
3. Turn from it.  (If I see those brownies, I quickly turn away from them and refocus my attention on something better.)
4. Pass away.  (If those brownies are tempting me, I must quickly get away and go somewhere better suited so that my flesh does not cave in.)

Proverbs 4:15 is a great verse to teach our children and teens, but it’s also a great verse for us as adults to use every single day.  We simply cannot trust our flesh, and that is why God’s given us a plan to follow in avoiding sin.

Our flesh isn’t strong enough on it’s own to “play with fire” and not be burned. The Holy Spirit does urge us to resist and turn from sin, but we must be in practice of yielding to the Holy Spirit. Don’t let sin keep sweeping you in over and over. There is always unpleasant consequences for sin.

I also want to include a note about Proverbs 4:14 which says, “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.” God’s Word says that we’re not to enter into the path of wicked, evil men. It’s important that we choose our friends wisely, as well as those we may casually hang around. We are easily influenced by others.

God has given us all the tools (asking help in prayer, The Holy Spirit and God’s Word) to gain victory over sin. Remember that hiding God’s Word in your heart is the best useful tool in battling sin’s temptation…

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  Psalms 119:11

If you’re having a struggle in some area of your life, I urge you to memorize Bible verses concerning that area.  And review them often! The Holy Spirit will be able to bring those verses to your mind in the hour of temptation.

God bless you and your family,