Today, after I fell in sin, I heard reasoning in my mind like, "No wonder I fell, I haven't been in worship," and I assented to agree with this! Rather...it is starting to seem more like the truth is that the harder I try (even "in the spirit"), the worse I will fail (1), and that the answer more is to relax a bit, entrust the issue to him (and others, through confession), and just go on ignoring its presence until, like dried out branches do, it just falls off, the life from focussing on it cut off from flowing to it. (2)
Maybe rather than presuming to cut out our own sin, we are to merely focus on receiving from God--HIS love, HIS ways, HIS spirit--and the LIFE to that thing ultimately will be cut off!!? (3) Whereas, if I focus on it, even to try and KILL it, then I give it fresh life (my attention) and empower it negatively...because the brain does not interpret the negative qualifier withinin the command: "Stop sinning" translates only as, "Sinning" ! (1)
And so, even a negative focus IS a focus which dooms you by drawing you in magnetically. You become what you think about. (Proverbs) That's why we reap our judgments of others, in our own lives--because we've sown so much focus into this thing we supposedly despise (4)(5) ...but ask any neglected child: Negative attention is better than no attention!
The devil is happy to have you STRIVE against sin...because you're still wrapped up in paying attention to yourself! "I do not even judge myself," Paul said, "but by this I am not acquitted." I.e., there IS one who judges the minds, hearts, and intents of man. He IS the word, sharper than any double-edged sword. (3)
Why don't we leave it to him?
Leave that old husband of law behind. Instead of focussing on self, and how we don't measure up, let's enjoy our bridegroom of love and give him the reward of his suffering! (6)
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Footnotes for Study:
(1) Romans 6-8, esp ch 7
(2) 1 John: "No one born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him"...which seed will overtake the old, obsolete branches, i.e.,
(3) Hebrews 3-4 (regarding the believer's rest, in trusting rather than striving and ceasing from WORKS AS hope)
(4) See Romans 2 "Therefore you are without excuse, every man of you who passes judgment, for in that you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things." This is not a 'case' study, it's a prophetic law of justice, dooming you and I to fall into the exact sins we judge others for.
(5) Galatians 6:1 "Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted."
(6) Isaiah 53:11
See also entire book of Galatians.
