Tag: Sin

Misuse of Noble Pursuits

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DAVID INGRAM

Throughout history, leaders have committed atrocities in the name of religion. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that all religion is inherently evil. A parallel can be drawn with science, where unethical experiments like the Tuskegee syphilis study have been conducted in the pursuit of knowledge.

The issue lies not with religion or science themselves, but with flawed individuals who use these noble pursuits to justify their immoral actions. Often, it’s a lack of morality and an overwhelming desire for success that drives such wrongdoing.

It’s interesting that these individuals may not always be consciously deceiving others; they might be blind to their own malevolent actions.

Consider what is written in Proverbs 21:2, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.”

The Problem of Sin

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TEXAS GOSPEL CANADA STAFF

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” – Romans 5:12

Have you ever wondered why everything feels broken? Why relationships strain, why we hurt each other, why nothing seems to work quite right? The Bible gives us a straightforward answer: sin entered our world and broke everything.

This isn’t just about breaking rules. It’s about a fundamental disconnect from our life source—God Himself. Like unplugging a lamp from its power source, our separation from God left us in darkness.

But understanding our brokenness isn’t meant to leave us in despair. It’s the backdrop that makes God’s solution so breathtaking.

The Harmony of Word and Spirit

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DAVID INGRAM

Many Christians make the mistake of separating the Spirit from God’s Word, thinking that spiritual life can exist apart from the truth of Scripture. But true spiritual living requires both the guidance of the Spirit and the grounding of God’s Word. The two must work together to transform our lives.

The Spirit brings the Word of God to life in us, showing us the truth and helping us live by it. Without the Spirit, the Word remains a dead letter, and without the Word, we lack a solid foundation of truth. As David prayed, “Give me life according to your Word,” we too must seek to be transformed by the Spirit working through Scripture.

Some may claim to have deep spiritual insights apart from the Word, but Jesus warned that the Spirit would not bring new teachings. Instead, He would remind believers of everything Jesus taught. Therefore, the Spirit always works in harmony with the Bible, never contradicting it.

Christians must test every spiritual teaching by the Word of God. Only when the Spirit and the Word are in harmony can we truly live according to God’s will.

Outward Religion vs. True Spirituality

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DAVID INGRAM

One of the greatest dangers for Christians is confusing outward religion with true spirituality. Many believe that as long as they avoid major sins and engage in religious activities, they are walking by the Spirit. However, being spiritual is not just about avoiding obvious wrongs or doing good deeds in public.

True spirituality involves living by the Spirit, not just following religious routines. The flesh can still dominate a life that looks religious on the outside. If a person’s heart is filled with pride, greed, or anger, they are still living according to the flesh, regardless of how good they may appear to others.

Walking by the Spirit requires more than outward actions—it demands a heart that is devoted to God. This means daily communion with Him, not just in formal prayers or church services, but in every part of life. It is about letting the Spirit shape every thought, every word, and every action.

Christians must continually ask themselves: Are my religious actions truly spiritual, or are they just outward forms with no heart behind them?

Restoring God’s Image in Us

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DAVID INGRAM

Sin has marred the image of God in humanity, but Christ came to restore it. Before sin entered the world, the soul ruled over the body. This allowed humans to live in harmony with God. However, when Adam sinned, this order was reversed, and the flesh began to dominate.

The result was chaos. People were no longer guided by their souls’ connection to God but by their bodily desires. This is why, in the Bible, those who do not know Christ are often described as living according to the flesh—they are controlled by the physical and not the spiritual. However, salvation through Christ offers a solution.

When someone is born again, the Holy Spirit takes control and restores the proper order between the soul and the body. This regeneration allows believers to live as they were originally designed to—by the Spirit, not by the flesh. Christ’s work in us brings us back to our intended state, where our soul connects us to God, guiding our actions and desires.

This restoration is crucial. Without it, we remain trapped in a life dominated by the flesh, disconnected from God’s will.