{"id":46868,"date":"2023-01-06T02:11:53","date_gmt":"2023-01-05T23:11:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=46868"},"modified":"2025-05-22T21:37:55","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T18:37:55","slug":"dont-flirt-with-sin-stay-far-from-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2023\/01\/06\/dont-flirt-with-sin-stay-far-from-it\/","title":{"rendered":"DON\u2019T FLIRT WITH SIN \u2014 STAY FAR FROM IT"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you know that just getting close<\/em> to sin is already a form of disobedience even before any action takes place?<\/p>\n

When God gave Adam and Eve His command in the Garden of Eden, He didn\u2019t merely say, \u201cDo not eat\u201d<\/em> from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He also warned them not to touch<\/em> it. This was a clear call to complete separation from what was forbidden not even physical closeness was allowed.<\/p>\n

Genesis 3:2\u20133 (ESV):<\/strong>
\n\u201cAnd the woman said to the serpent, \u2018We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, \u2018You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This detail \u201cneither shall you touch it\u201d <\/em>often goes unnoticed. But it reveals an important theological truth: sin often begins before<\/em> the outward act. The inward desires and subtle compromises are what make us vulnerable (see James 1:14\u201315).<\/p>\n

James 1:14\u201315 (NIV):<\/strong>
\n\u201cBut each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Eve didn\u2019t eat the fruit without first reaching out, holding it, examining it. That small action of touching<\/em> began the process of disobedience. It\u2019s a reminder that temptation doesn\u2019t appear suddenly it grows step by step, often through curiosity, compromise, and contact.<\/p>\n

God had good reason to forbid even touching<\/em> the fruit. He was protecting humanity from the process<\/em> of sin. Theologically, this shows us the principle of \u201cfleeing\u201d temptation not reasoning with it, not testing boundaries.<\/p>\n

Paul reinforces this in the New Testament:<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV):<\/strong>
\n\u201cFlee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Notice the command is not to resist<\/em> or debate<\/em> but to flee<\/em>. Joseph is a clear example. When Potiphar\u2019s wife tried to seduce him, Joseph didn\u2019t stay and argue. He ran physically fleeing the situation (Genesis 39:12). That\u2019s wisdom in action.<\/p>\n

Today, many Christians want to live close to the line without crossing it. But spiritually, this is dangerous ground. Just being near sin whether in behavior, thoughts, or entertainment exposes us to temptation.<\/p>\n

Someone might say, \u201cI\u2019m not committing adultery,\u201d yet their phone is filled with provocative images, sensual music, worldly films, and ungodly group chats. These are subtle doorways to compromise.<\/p>\n

Paul urges believers to avoid even the appearance<\/em> of evil:<\/p>\n

1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV):<\/strong>
\n\u201cAbstain from all appearance of evil.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Even the company we keep matters. Scripture warns us that our environment shapes our behavior:<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV):<\/strong>
\n\u201cDo not be deceived: \u2018Bad company ruins good morals.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

You cannot say you\u2019ve turned from gossip if you spend time with people who gossip. Sooner or later, you\u2019ll find yourself joining in. The same goes for anger, profanity, pride, or any other sin listed in Galatians 5:19\u201321.<\/p>\n

Galatians 5:19\u201321 (NIV):<\/strong>
\n\u201cThe acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy… I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Adam and Eve were told not to eat or even touch <\/em>the forbidden fruit. The same principle applies today. We must avoid the roots, the branches, and the entire tree of sin. Because often, touching is the first step toward tasting<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Conclusion:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Approaching sin whether physically, mentally, or digitally is dangerous. We deceive ourselves when we think we can manage temptation on our own. God\u2019s Word calls us to radical separation, not cautious closeness.<\/p>\n

Let us stay vigilant, depend on the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16), and ask for the grace to walk wisely:<\/p>\n

Galatians 5:16 (ESV):<\/strong>
\n\u201cBut I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Maranatha\u2014The Lord is coming.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n