I ran across a great list called 35 Reasons Not to Sin on another blog post. This is a great little reminder list that I printed out and placed inside my own journal.
I remember when I quit smoking I carried around a little yellow laminated business card with me that I would take out and read and place in front of me whenever I was tempted to light up.
On this card I had listed all the reasons I was quitting smoking. I can remember some of the reasons I wrote – it is unhealthy, it stinks, I will feel better if I quit, it will make it easier for my husband to quit in the future, I will save lots of money, I won’t make people stumble, I want God more then I want this in my life.
I still find it extremely helpful when I am battling a particular sin to list reasons why I am fighting against it and remind myself of the good things I want more of in my life. During temptation, my ability to logically reason has a habit of flying out the window when I desire something with all my heart that I know I shouldn’t have. So I have found it helpful to devise ways to remind myself why it is not good, why it is harmful, ugly and unbeneficial especially when it seems anything but. In this way, it enables me to unmask sin, to see it for it’s true self. It helps me see beneath the thin overlaying mask of desirability and beauty so that I can see the ugliness underneath and turn away from it in disgust instead of being drawn to it in love.
I loved smoking as I love all other sin in my life. In some way in some form, sin always gives and promises me temporary immediate pleasure. It seduces me with promises. It appears desirable and harmless. Just this one time, this one step, won’t make a difference. It’s unnoticeable. No one will know. It appears beneficial, promising to meet a need, to be my savior at this very moment in time and bring me comfort from my suffering. It is always easily within my reach. I never have to wait or go in search far for it. Isn’t that ironic?
The little yellow card helps me. It brings me back to reality by unmasking sin and revealing it’s ugliness to me and breaking the spell of desire if only for a moment so truth can slap me in the face and bring me back to reality.
_________ is not beneficial.
_________ is harmful.
__________ only gives temporary relief and pleasure.
35 Reasons Not to Sin is a great list to use for making your own little yellow card or for printing and putting in your little binder to look at daily.
If you are like me, little bites are good. I often feel overwhelmed with information so I try to take little bites that I can digest and chew on all day long. If this sounds like you, download the list put it in a prominent place and turn it into a 35 day devotional. Meditate and chew on just one reason a day corresponding to the date of the calendar. The last 4-5 items you can alternate between months if you repeat. For example, if today is the 18th. I may read over the entire list but I would take the the 18th reason, the one sentence, and focus on it for the day.
18. Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
There is a reality check. How does this tiny little “harmless” sin that has been plaguing my conscience prevent others from seeing and entering the kingdom of God? Many times I don’t see the full impact of my tiny insignificant little actions. Because there is a time delay between my actions and consequences, between planting and harvesting, I forget that seeds grow into trees. What I plant today, I will harvest tomorrow and it can have serious effects on others.
Be sure to define and name the particular sin you are dealing with. Avoid generalities. Stare it clearly in the face and see it for what it really is. Unmask it. Survey it’s full damaging effects on you and on others around you until the appeal it once had over you is broken by reality. Learn to hate it until you can look at in disgust instead of lust.
