Expose Not Blind: On the CHC Verdict

TITLE: EXPOSE NOT BLIND: ON THE CHC VERDICT
SCRIPTURE: John 8:1-11
Written by: Dr Conrade Yap
Date: October 23rd, 2015.

But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:7)

NOTE: This is a special edition of Sabbath Walk written in response to the wide interest surrounding the recent court judgment of the controversial use of funds for a music ministry outreach arm of a Church. It is a matter of both public and theological interest. In this article, I argue that as lights of this world, our calling is to expose the darkness and wrongs of this world, but not to make people blind with our glares of justice and self-righteous stares. The condition of the soul can only be touched by the Holy Spirit. 


Swirling around the minds of many in Singapore is the thought of judgment day. On October 21st, 2015, the judge of the widely followed trial of six leaders at City Harvest megachurch wrote:

“I am satisfied that six accused persons are guilty of all the charges against them.”

Is this “satisfied” one of glee that spouts out “You deserved it!” or “I told you so?” No.

Is this “satisfied” something like a hungry diner completing his fifth round of food at a buffet table? No.

This “satisfied” is essentially made on legal grounds, after all the evidence presented by the prosecution before the Judge have been duly considered and deemed overwhelmingly satisfactory for conviction. There is nothing personal even though everyone in the court room would have a personal opinion. On the part of the judge, I believe that there is no intent to gorge oneself on Schadenfreude, unlike some observers who loved to watch the prey being ravished by predators. It is purely and simply a legal matter, albeit with lots of public interest.

Dealing With Personal Failure

TITLE: DEALING WITH PERSONAL FAILURE
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 12:13-14
Written by: Dr Conrade Yap
Date:  February 28th, 2014

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt fora the Lord, the son born to you will die.” (2 Samuel 12:13-14)

Last week, the Christian world was shocked by the court conviction of David Cho Yong-Gi, founder and pastor of the largest Church in the world, South Korea's Yoido Full Gospel Church. You can read more of it at Gospel Herald, Christianity Today, Yonhap News, Huffington Post, and many others on the Internet. All of them have reported in a manner that mirrors shock and horror at how a prominent and quite respected senior leader to be charged and convicted in a court of law. After all, he is doing God's work right? Others like Bob Rodgers has attempted to supply some background information in order to set the record straight. By doing so, Rodgers has tried to assure the public that David Cho is not as bad as the press reports have made him out to be.

Amid the social media feeding frenzy, many subsequent comments and articles have pointed out to the lack of accountability, the problem with megachurches, the temptation of riches, and the stumbling of fellow believers. I find something rather troubling about how people are suddenly distancing themselves from anything to do with David Cho, Yoido Full Gospel, or any churches or structures resembling the same. A former model and hero of the faith is suddenly ostracized and banished to the pits of the grave of respect. Probably, David Cho will go down the beaten paths of disgrace and embarrassment, just like Ted Haggard, Eddie Long, Vaughn Reeves, and others have gone before.

Temptations

TITLE: TEMPTATIONS
SCRIPTURE: Mark 14:32-38
Written by: Dr Conrade Yap
Date: June 29th, 2013

32They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” 35Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”(Mark 14:32-38)

Yesterday, I caught an hour of the reality show, "What Would You Do?" It is about various scenario situations on whether people tend to do the right thing in the midst of temptations and self-gain. A typical episode will comprise a cast of actors and actresses where, one group will play a protagonist and another a victim of his taunting, complete with hidden cameras. Yesterday's scene was about how strangers react when someone finds a wallet, complete with cold hard cash. "Should I return it?" comes the protagonist's question to anyone sitting around him. While in general, there is a sense of people wanting to do the right thing, ie to return it to the Lost and Found, others are tempted by the money as well as the ease of not being found out. After all, what is wrong with just taking the money and quietly returning the rest of the wallet? While some strangers play along the moment they are offered a treat, like having the finder paying for his full meals, or giving the stranger a cut of the find, just to keep quiet, others are adamant that it is not a finder's keepers situation. For them, the owner may very well be worried. The wallet is not theirs in the first place. What about karma?

Temptations come in all shapes and sizes. We are all easily tempted, but that does not make us a sinner. It is when we give in to temptations knowingly that is the problem. Worse, we hook others along as our actions become fused with the temptation, making us a party to the evil scheming. One particular stranger was initially happy and supportive of the finder of the wallet, keeping the find. When confronted with lights and cameras, he changes tack, switching from black to white the moment the camera appears. Indeed, what would you do if you find a wallet that is full of cash? What if the cash runs in thousands of dollars? Will that affect your decision to return it? Or will you decide to return only part of it, and pocket the rest?

Temptations are much closer than we think. In fact, this week, I like to remind readers that temptations are always on a lookout for us. They are coming straight at us, coming to a vulnerability near us. 

1) Doing the Right Thing

We are all born in the image of God. Sin has tarnished this image and turn us away from God. As a result, we are getting from bad to worse. We are sinners needing grace and forgiveness. The trouble with many is not that they are sinners. The trouble is that in spite of their knowledge of their sinful selves, they continue to dabble in wrong doing without a care in the world. They proceed according to what they judge is best, even when it is clearly wrong. They try to rationalize away any action that leads to the ultimate self-gain, even when it means it is wrong. Take for example the one who seems to be sitting on the fence when asked whether one ought to return the lost wallet. The pure and righteous will stand firm that the wallet needs to be returned to the rightful owner. The selfish person will insist that it is a "finder's keepers" world. You find it, you keep it. I find it, I keep it. All is well as long as we all keep quiet about it.

The problem I find is the middle group that waffles and waits for something juicier to happen. This middle group has all the characteristics of a schemer at work. Maybe, this group is waiting until all security is clear before making a move. He is waiting until the timing is right so that he can pounce upon anything for self-gain. Maybe, the finder will offer him a cut of the find for the price of silence. He waits. He observes. He stays interested but keeps his cards hidden from the rest. He is physically uninvolved but mentally and spiritually, fully engaged in a world of temptation and personal gain.

All the great temptations appear first in the region of the mind and can be fought and conquered there. We have been given the power to close the door of the mind. We can lose this power through disuse or increase it by use, by the daily discipline of the inner man in things which seem small and by reliance upon the word of the Spirit of truth. It is God that worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. It is as though He said, 'Learn to live in your will, not in your feelings.' (Amy Carmichael)

Lust is a temptation. Lust is that second look.

2) The Tempter and the World of Temptations

Whether it is Internet pornography or blatant theft in the streets, people who do wrong are always hiding or trying to hide. They put up a righteous front. They want to appear holy and pure. Yet, at the back of their minds, they sin terribly. Authors Arnie Cole and Michael Ross, in their book, "Tempted, Tested, True," share the following data about temptations in our society.

• Four or five people will face at least one temptation in a given day.
• Men encounter twice as many occurrences of temptation as women.
• A typical experience of being tempted lasts seven to ten minutes.
• Most people give in to at least one temptation each day.
• The average Christian feels spiritually stalled four months out of the year.

Sometimes we feel that we can do a better job than Adam and Eve. Some people, with a self-confident "holier-than-thou" attitude tend to believe that when faced with the forbidden fruit before them, they will never eat it. The truth is, we have often given in more than what we think.

Temptations. It's closer than we think.

3) Fighting Temptations Start Now

When Jesus instructs his disciples to watch and pray, it is simply because he understands the full extent of temptation and sin. Every second we are not preparing to fight, we are readying ourselves to lose. Every time we fail to pray, we are relying on our own strength. Every minute we believe we are at peacetime, we forget that spiritual warfare is happening right at our doorsteps. Perhaps, the battle has already started, and we are already very late in the game. Cole and Ross tell of their experience with a lady called Marco from Houston who shares honestly about her constant yearning for the forbidden stuff.

"I usually regret it, because I then feel like I'm not understood or am then more vulnerable. I've been betrayed too many times in the past. That's why prayer is so predominant in my life." (Arnie Cole, Tempted, Tested, True, Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 2013, p91)

Prayer is a predominant weapon of the spiritual life. The words of Jesus continue to point to this as a core weapon of choice. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Fighting temptations start on our knees. The phrase "watch and pray" bring along two simultaneous actions: Watching and praying. It shows us that prayer is not a passive act of spirituality. It is very much dynamic and active. It is a way of keeping our eyes fixed on heaven, and at the same time maintaining a watchful eye on happenings on earth. For temptations do not switch off when we go into our prayer closets. Temptations remain lit up regardless of our praying times or positions. Like a predator constantly on a lookout for food, temptations are swimming all the time seeking out victims oblivious to its presence. The element of surprise is often the tempter's greatest weapon.

Temptations. It is a form of child's play with serious adult consequences.

4) Praying and Watching: Eyes on heaven and on earth

Watching and praying is Jesus' teaching for us to remain heavenly minded and earthly aware. When teaching his disciples to pray, Jesus teaches us to pray that God's will be done in heaven as well as on earth. In watching and praying, we are watching for God's will to be done everywhere we go. Unfortunately, the disciples near Gethsemane fail to do just that. They fall asleep at the most critical of times. When told to sit and wait for Jesus, they slept and became totally disconnected from the impending doom Jesus has to face. Such a behaviour is very prominent for the modern man too. Even in Churches, look at prayer meetings. Under the most ordinary circumstances, when there is not much major events happening, people shy away from prayer meetings. The moment a tragedy happens, people pack churches, like the aftermath of 9/11, or after some horrible events. The point of Jesus is this. We must always be watching and praying, not because of an immediate need or concern, but lest we fall into temptations. For temptations do not rear their ugly heads only at certain times. They flaunt their wares all the time. The 17th Century English Puritan John Owen gives this advice:

"I am a poor, weak creature; unstable as water, I cannot excel. This corruption if too hard for me, and is at the very door of ruining my soul; and what to do I know not. My soul is become as parched ground, and an habitation of dragons. I have made promises and broken them; vows and engagements have been as a thing of nought. Many persuasions have I had that I had got the victory and should be delivered, but I am deceived; so that I plainly see, that without some eminent succour and assistance, I am lost, and shall be prevailed on to an utter relinquishment of God. But yet, though this be my state and condition, let the hands that hang down be lifted up, and the feeble knees be strengthened. Behold, the Lord Christ, that hath all fullness of grace in his heart, all fullness of power in his hand, he is able to slay all these his enemies. There is sufficient provision in him for my relief and assistance. He can take my drooping, drying soul and make me more than a conqueror." (John Owen, Overcoming Sin and Temptation, Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2006, 132)

Temptations: Fight it like a man.

5) Practical Steps to Fight Temptations

Four Ways to Fight Temptations

My readers. Temptations lurk around us all the time. We need to be on our guard. Watchfulness must be supplemented with much prayer. Prayer must be accompanied by watchfulness. Both need to be maintained at the same time. The Christian life, if lived correctly is not about sitting back and relaxing away from the world. In fact, the best way to live in the world now, is constant prayer and watchfulness. For temptations are always on a lookout for weak and unprepared souls. The devil is not interested in our definitions of  varying degrees of sin. All he needs is to gain an entry into our souls, and he will work from there. Let me close with Cole and Ross' four keys to spiritual transformation in fighting the temptations of this world.

First, we need to engage the Bible daily. For if we are not reading or meditating on the pure Word of God, we are immediately vulnerable to the impure thoughts and exposure of this world. Second, we need to be aware of our own weaknesses, and to let God touch us in these areas. When battling evil thoughts, think of Philippians 4:8 which says:

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

Third, pray a lot, for prayer is essentially a relationship with God. Don't delegate God away to just a few minutes in our box we call, "Quiet Time." God is more than just our measly minutes we allocate within 24 hours. God is present with us at all time. In prayer, we remind ourselves of God's presence.

Four, be a part of a community to be accountable to. Jesus wants community, but the disciples are more interested in sleeping. As a result, Jesus has to go through it alone. We have the Church to be a part of. We can play a part by going as regularly as possible to pray for others. We can watch and pray together, that God's will be done everywhere we go.

My friends. Watch and pray a lot. In doing so, we are fitter spiritual soldiers. Not only that, in the power of Christ, temptations will flee.

THOUGHT: One of the most serious threats to the human spirit is boredom. Boredom is the breeding ground for wickedness. Bored people are easy targets of the flesh and the Devil. It is like putting a bull's-eye on your chest with a sign: "Tempt me. I'm easy!" Why? Because boredom is contrary to the natural, God-given impulse for fascination, excitement, pleasure, and exhilaration. (Sam Storms)


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Copyright by SabbathWalk. This devotional is sent to you free of charge. If you feel blessed or ministered to by SabbathWalk weekly devotionals, feel free to forward to friends, or to invite them to subscribe online at http://blog.sabbathwalk.org . You can also send me an email at cyap@sabbathwalk.org for comments or enquiries. Note that views expressed are personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization.

"Can We Change our Spots?"

TITLE: CAN WE CHANGE OUR SPOTS?
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 13
Written by: Dr Conrade Yap
Date: May 4th, 2013

"Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil." (Jer 13:23)

Elections are currently underway in Malaysia. Next week, provincial elections will also be held in British Columbia, Canada. Across the world, one word is quite often used to garner support: Change.

The question today is this. Can someone accustomed to all the wrong things be able to do all the right things? This week, I will be reflecting on the challenges of change, especially when one is bounded to the wrong things.

Let us turn to the book of Jeremiah. Compared to the New Testament, the prophetical books of the Old Testament are not preached as often. Some may wonder why. Perhaps, it is because the texts are way too ancient for modern understanding. Maybe, our modern fast-paced world and technological society cannot appreciate the contexts and cultures of the the old.  For the two reasons above, we can easily respond that there are lots of Bible resources, trained scholars and professors, and theological astute people in our midst who can bridge the gap. There are also pastors and gifted teachers who bring about powerful expositions of the ancient prophecy, to bring about change in contemporary times.

The passage today points to this truth: When change is no longer possible, there remains one thing: Destruction. Where change is possible, it is less about change on the outside and more about change from the inside.

A) Unbounded People

How on earth can a great nation of Israel end up in embarrassing defeat?

No one envies Jeremiah. Speaking out against a people wayward in their ways, perverted in their thoughts, idolatrous in the soul. It is a undesirable job, worse than debt collectors. Like a helpless non-swimmer looking at someone drowning in the waters, Jeremiah can only warn Israel about the impending judgment of God if they continue their wayward days. Instead of Israel turning toward God in repentance, they are continue to walk in their sins in delight.  Change is necessary, but the sinful Israel cannot change their sinful spots. A spiritual turnaround is possible, but they refuse the possible and choosing instead to reveal in incredulous things.

Chapter 13 of the book of Jeremiah shows us some horrible things which make us think about how God is loving in the first place. At the onset, readers are told about the arrogance of Israel (Jer 13:9). God uses a "girdle" or a "linen belt" to describe inner condition of Israel. The linen belt is symbolically about servanthood. It is meant to be bound around the waist, meaning that the purpose and meaning of a servant is bounded up in the relationship with God. God owns his people. His people are servants. The linen belt is like the covenant that represents God saving his people, and the people serving God.

Unfortunately, instead of serving God, the people loose their girdles and serve other gods. Instead of being bounded to God, they leave themselves to the crevices of sin (Jer 13:10). In  doing so, they become "ruined and completely useless" (Jer 13:7). They fail to listen to God. They commit horrible sins against themselves. One of the most horrible things that humans can do are the things they inflict upon themselves.

When I read about the part in Jer 13:14, where the LORD "smash them against the other, parents and children alike," it does make us wonder why God is so harsh and cruel. How does that jive with our understanding of a loving God? Is that not a horrible thing to "smash" families, even children?

In Scripture, the ultimate punishment is not what others do to us, but what we do to ourselves. Israel has been doing all the smashing in the first place. The judgment of Jeremiah 13:14 is exactly what Israel has been doing to each other in the first place. Like a fence that separates two rival predators, the ferocious predators on both sides of the fence continue to gnaw at the fence, curse at the other, ready to attack at the first opportunity. God has been stopping that from happening all along. It has then come to the point where the LORD deems enough is enough. The most merciful thing to do is to let them destroy themselves, as they no longer desire to be saved from themselves. Such a pattern is also familiar in the New Testament. In his letter to the Romans, Paul pronounces the Lord's judgment on the sinful race.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. (Romans 1:24)

This is not exactly a prooftext against sexual perversions. It is less about attacking homosexual behaviour and more about attacking sin. The worst thing people can do to one another is to sin and continue to sin against one another.

B) Bounded to the Wrong Things

Just like a leopard cannot change its spots, the sinful man cannot change the colour of his skin.  Even with the most advanced plastic surgery, we know that the skin being the biggest organ of the human body, is impossible to completely changed, humanly speaking. It can be grafted in but with high risk of infection. It can undergo plastic surgery but at a great cost. The point is this. External changes are one thing, but inner changes is totally a different challenge altogether.

For Israel has bounded herself to the wrong thing. They have strapped themselves to the gods of the land. In the process fails to live out as servants of God, as according to the covenant. God has been keeping his promises all along. Israel has not. God has been sending leaders, judges, prophets, kings, and priests, to warn Israel. The people ignore God. Instead of being bounded to God, they are bounded to the wrong things. Worse, they have chosen to bind themselves to the sinful and shameful acts. The LORD has not planned in the first place to destroy Israel. In fact, the LORD constantly tries to rescue his people.

Our stubbornness can do us more harm than good. I remember the story where a man was left stranded on the rooftop after a major flood. He is a pious man who believes earnestly that God will appear from the sky in person and rescue him to the clouds. A rescue boat came by to offer assistance. He refused the offer, saying: "My God is coming to rescue me." A few hours later, another rescue boat arrived, only to be refused with the same reason. Finally, as the waters continued to rise, a helicopter came, with very much the same response by this man. He drowned.

When we are bounded to the wrong things, we do silly things. Conviction is a good thing, but when it is bounded to the wrong idea or purpose, it is bad. The trouble with Israel is that they have chosen to bind themselves to idolatry so much, that they have become accustomed to worshiping and following the idols of their lives. When that happened, they no longer are able to do good.

Positive change is not possible when we are bounded to the wrong things.

C) Bounded to Our Modern Idols

Source: Internet

Campaigns and elections are currently underway in Malaysia and soon in British Columbia, Canada. In Malaysia, people are clamouring for change. The common people have become sick and tired of the rampant reports of corruption within the existing ruling party. The rich are getting richer and the poor poorer. The logic is this: People want change for the better and hope that with a change of government, perhaps, they will get a better life.

This is a universal desire. Like Martin Luther King Junior's great dream, it is a dream that the day will come where all people will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character. It is a human right to be treated justly and humanely. It is a plain and simple desire to want a better life for all. Equality is one thing. Talking about it is another.

As I talk with loved ones, votes will probably be in favour of the "lesser evil." Will one vote for the ruling party to continue four more years of the same old thing, fearing change to our 'normal' lifestyle and continuity in existing states of unhappiness? Will positive change happen if the ruling party returns to power? The people hope, but there is no guarantee.

Or will one vote for change, by making sure the opposition wins? That way, there will be new opportunities and hopes, even though it comes at a greater risk of uncertainty, disruptions, and of course, possible chaos. This too, the people hope, but again, there is also no guarantee.

Whichever party wins, there is no guarantee of positive change. Elections themselves are risks. Check out Indonesia during the handover of power from Suharto. Or look at the Arab Spring countries where governments have been overturned.

I think the issue is much bigger than a mere political vote. As long as the human condition is unchanged, any external change will only be temporal.

D) Change is Possible But

This is because the common foe is not the opposition vs the ruling government. Neither is it about the rich vs the poor, or one race over the other. The common foe is idolatry eating ourselves to death. Kyle Idleman brings up three "temples of idolatry" which remind us how bounded we are to them.

Firstly, the temple of pleasure. Have we become accustomed to doing anything or everything so that we can attain more pleasure through junk food, perverted sex, and entertainment that spins us into greater bondage to pleasure? Secondly, there is the temple of power. Have we become accustomed to constant desire for achievement at the expense of principles, success instead of significance, money instead of meaning? Tony Campolo sums up pretty much our modern predicament. In an interview with 50  people over the age of 95, he asked them the question: "What will you do differently if you can live life all over again?" The answers are revealing of the idols they have gotten trapped in.

1. If I had life to live all over again, I would reflect more.
2. If I had life to live all over again, I would risk more.
3. If I had life to live all over again, I would do more things that would live on after I am dead. 

My friends, are you trapped in some pursuit of an idol? Have you ever taken the time to pause from the madness of busyness, and to reflect about what it means to live? Have you sought out help with regards to how your life has reflected your deepest held beliefs? Have you discipled others so that they can go on to disciple others? Have you loved God enough to give up your idols?

I pray that the answers to all the above, will not only be yes, but a great desire to do something about it. One more thing. We cannot change the colour of our skin. Neither can leopards change their spots. What is be done is to have a new body. It is possible to be transformed in the heart and to be renewed in the mind. That is the work of God. May we all respond positively to the work of God in us, lest we are left to our own devices. Positive change is possible, but we need God first to change us.

"What is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give." (Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods)

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Copyright by SabbathWalk. This devotional is sent to you free of charge. If you feel blessed or ministered to by SabbathWalk weekly devotionals, feel free to forward to friends, or to invite them to subscribe online at http://blog.sabbathwalk.org . You can also send me an email at cyap@sabbathwalk.org for comments or enquiries. Note that views expressed are personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization.

Is Worry a Sin?

TITLE: IS WORRY A SIN?
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:24-25
Written by: Conrade Yap
Date: 8 Feb 2012

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? " (Matt 6:24-25)

This prickly question can be controversial. It invites all kinds of theological interpretations. It has the potential to split groups. On the one hand, there are those who insist that any forms of worry is sin. Some argue from the Bible that because Jesus calls his disciples not to worry, and if the disciples still worry themselves out, it is a sin (Matthew 6:24-25). This is based on the contexts of serving either God or Mammon. If one serves God, one will learn to trust God, and not be given into worry. If one serves Mammon, the pressure will be to perform and to accumulate to the level of our own expectations. Worry comes as a result of the lack of trust. That is why they say worry is a sin.

On the other hand, others reason that there are legitimate worries. For example, a mother worries for her son when he fails to return home at his usual time. It can also be a frantic brother outside a hospital operating room worrying about his sister after a bad car accident. Is it a sin to worry like that?

A brother in my discipleship group shares that biblically, worry is sin. What is important is to be sensitive to the underlying concerns that surround such worries. Another brother shares wisely about worry being more of an 'attitude' rather than an act. He also advocates distinguishing 'concern' from 'worry.'

Wise words. I am inclined to agree with both of my learned brothers in Christ. There is a lot of wisdom in that. Yet, the questions remain. Is worry really a sin? How do we know when is it 'concern' and when is it 'worry?' The problem continues.

As I think about it, one of the most important ways to determine whether something is sin or not, is to know the Scriptures. Here are some of the verses dealing with sin.

• "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (Ps 119:11)
• "Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin." (John 8:34)
• "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness." (1 John 3:4)

It is the Word of the Lord that is the reference. Disobedience to it is a mark of sin. In other words, sin is not what we human beings argue out to be. Sin is defined by God in the Bible.

A) Sin in the Bible

The Bible deals with many different aspects of sin. There is no one concept that is nicely packaged for us to take home. I will draw out some aspects of sin from the Old and the New Testament. In the Old Testament, sin is basically disobedience to God, as evidenced in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve intentionally ate the forbidden fruit. Then we have the intentional worshiping of idols by Israel through the ages. The Law of Moses are written to instruct Israel about what is sin and what is not. The book of Amos contains multiple references to the different acts of sin.

In the New Testament, we see how the devil tries to tempt Jesus to sin in the wilderness. There is the sin of Judas Iscariot, and subsequently in the Pauline epistles, Paul warns the church against false and deceptive teachings that blur the lines of what sin is. The Greek word for sin essentially means 'miss the mark.'

Our working model for determining what is sin can be described this way. Sin is that deviation from the divine path. It uses anything to manipulate, distract, deceive, and disrupt any person's path toward God. The nature of sin itself is to miss the mark, and in the process, cause anybody to miss their mark, to miss out on their original calling. William P. Young, author of the bestselling book, The Shack, calls sin as follows:

"Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside."

B) Worry as a Legitimate Human Emotion

Credit: CompleteSalesActionSystem

Let me try to reconstruct our understanding of worry in terms of a legitimate human emotion. Jesus in Matthew 6 realizes this as a typical human reaction to the problems and the struggles of this world. His remedy is simple: Do not look at the problem of what we ought to eat, what to drink, or what to wear. Instead, look at the certainties of God's providence.

Look at the birds of the air, and marvel at how God feeds them. Look at the flowers of the field, and take in the beauty of God's providence. A story was told of a man who happens to get everything that he wanted from the Lord.  He planted an olive sap. He asked God for rain, and God sent rain. He asked God for sunshine and God gave sunshine. He asked God to provide frost to firm up the leaves. God provided the frost. However, by the evening, the plant died.

In contrast, his friend planted a little tree about the same time. All he did was to pray to the Lord:

"Lord, whether, rain, sunshine, or frost, I do not want to bind your hands, but trust you to provide for this plant. Amen."

This friend's tree blossomed.

Through this story, it reminds us about who is actually trying to control life. Worry if it is an attempt to try to control events in this world, will lead us farther from God. Trusting God is a way that leads us away from sin.

C) Where There is Worry, Sin Abounds

It is quite hurtful to tell people that worry is a sin. Let me say that worry is a human emotion that we need to learn to manage with faith and with hope. Where there is worry, sin abounds. Sin will try to manipulate oneself into thinking one knows best, instead of God knows best.

Principle #1: Worry is not necessarily a sin, but where there is worry, sin is lurking very closeby.

It is one thing to worry and then forget all about it. It is yet another, to remain in a state of worry. It is in this state that sin wields its most powerful influence.

Principle #2: Worry becomes sin when it moves one away from God

When we try to take control, we are not trusting God. We are trusting anyone or anything other than God. Christians sometimes pay lip service to their faith. On the one hand they say they trust God. Yet, in their private moments, they worry themselves to death. Like the serpent that tricks Adam and Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. The evil thought that is planted in their heads causes them to question God's original command.  Their first result is to fear their own nakedness. This leads to the first murder where one brother killed the other out of envy. Cain's envy of Abel, leads him to take things into his own hands. Each act of sin moves people farther and farther from God.

If worry causes us to move away from God, that is sin.

Principle #3: Turn Worry Into a Journey Toward Contentment

For those who worry a lot, think of each worry in terms of an opportunity to trust God. Treat it as an invitation to start the journey toward a state of contentment. This is what Linda Dillow suggests. Learn to treat our anxieties and worries with a journey from control to contentment. Whenever things do not turn out her way, she worries a lot. Anxiety becomes depression soon after. It takes a friend to gently counsel her.

"Linda, you like control, and there are too many uncontrollables in your life."

Indeed. Worry is a sign that we are trying to control the uncontrollable. It is an attempt to wrest control from God. It is a stubborn retort that spits at God saying: "I know what is best."

When worry orientates itself away from God, it becomes sin. If worry is turned back toward God, and the person embarks on a journey from control to contentment, it becomes redemption.

D) Worry Little, Stop Quickly, Trust Fervently

It is ok to worry a little while. The important thing is not to remain in that condition. Worry is a result of our imperfect self, and it is not sensible to deny our basic expression of our emotions. It is a little bit like anger. We all do react angrily at matters of injustice. However, remaining in that state of anger for a prolonged period will breed harmful pride and destructive wrath. Righteous anger is acceptable. Jesus has been angry before at the merchants hawking goods outside the holy temple of prayer. It is normal for parents to worry about their children. The key is what happens AFTER the worry. Do we seek to grasp control for ourselves? Are we trying to claim we know best, more than God?

Each time we worry, take the 3-step process. First, let ourselves a little room to express our emotions either through sharing with a friend or loved one. Keep a leash on the time. Set a worry time if necessary.

Second, stop. When it is time to stop worrying, try to stop worrying. Pray. Meditate on the word.

Third, trust. Memorize key verses in the Bible that enables us to trust. Let me share three.

• "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• "And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. " (Romans 8:27-28)
• "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:6-7)

As for me, whether worry is literally a sin or not is not something we need to argue about. What is important is to love the person who are in the state of worry. Do not condemn or downplay that person's concerns. It is what that worry leads to that we need to pay careful attention to.

Worry is not necessarily always sin. It can lead to sin. What matters is not to remain in the state of worry. Worry loves to feed on more worry. If needed, worry but limit the worry. Then stop and turn our eyes to God and trust God.

THOUGHT: "The temptation of the age is to look good without being good." (Brennan Manning)

sabbathwalk

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