THINK TOGETHER.
Have you ever been caught in something, or trapped?
READ TOGETHER
Proverbs 5:22. The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin.
Sin is like a trap. As we keep sinning it becomes harder and harder to stop. Sometimes we call this a bad habit, or worse, an addiction. Do you know what an addiction is? Eventually our own bad choices will capture us and prevent us from living a good life, a life that pleases and fears God.
Solomon uses two different words to describe our wrong habits and addictions. The first word is iniquities. This word refers to a person’s selfish desires. The second word he uses is sin. This word refers to our selfish choices and how they fall short of God and his love and goodness. So first we are trapped by our bad desires (what we want) and then we are trapped by our choices (what we do).
Have you ever felt trapped by sin? Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a bad habit? Are you addicted to anything? Arguing? Cheating? Lying? Making fun of others? Can you see how your sin is hurting you?
Jesus came to us so that we would never have to live ensnared (trapped) by sin. Listen to how he said the same thing as Solomon, but how he also offered hope:
John 8:34-36. 34Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Who do you think the Son is? (Jesus) How does the Son set us free from sin? (by his death and resurrection for us, his forgiveness, and his indwelling life that changes our desires and choices) Have you been set free from sin? I hope so.
Because of Jesus we can be free from sin.
With Jesus we can desire and choose what is right and good.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Listen to the song Who You Say I Am by Hillsong together.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, keep me out of the trap of my sin by your grace and love. Amen.
TLICfamily 