The Allure of Sin and Temptation

 “So now, my sons, listen to me. Never stray from what I am about to say: Stay away from her! Don’t go near the door of her house! If you do, you will lose your honor and will lose to merciless people all you have achieved. Strangers will consume your wealth, and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor. In the end you will groan in anguish when disease consumes your body. You will say, “How I hated discipline! If only I had not ignored all the warnings! Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors? I have come to the brink of utter ruin, and now I must face public disgrace.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭5:7-14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://www.bible.com/116/pro.5.7-14.nlt

There are eternal consequences to choices made in thoughts, words, and deeds.  All sin big or small strain and stain our relationship to God.  There are sins that cause death to the soul and the sin against the Holy Spirit is not forgiven.

Father Roger always ends his mass with a short message, “be good if you can.”  It gives me an understanding about human nature.  Can man be holy and good or is this just an aspiration?  Is it possible to avoid sin?  Is it within my power to choose between good and evil?  

God gave all the free will and a conscience to discern good or evil. The conscience is an internal compass that provides an alert and warning on the choice we are deliberating in our mind.  We sin not only by words and deeds but also by our thoughts.  But all three ways - thoughts, words, and deeds are within our control.

That is where discipline is required for due diligence. Recognizing temptations spawned in our heart’s desire should be carefully filtered before it reaches our thoughts and finds its way through our words and actions.  It is hard work but God’s grace through prayers and sacraments fortify the spirit to help us to avoid sin and its occasions or prompts us to ask forgiveness for its commission.  The fallen nature of man is redeemed by God’s saving grace through the blood shed by Jesus.  Lord God help me for I am a sinner.