Straight talk

It has been said that there are 3 basic challenges to a mans integrity and character.  To put it more succinctly, normally one of 3 things will take a man down....will be used by the evil one to drive a man from his full devotion to God.  Those root causes are (not in any particular order) money, sex, and power.

From both personal experience and observation, I find that to be very true.  In one shape or form, it is generally one of those three things that takes an otherwise good man down the slippery path he would rather not go.  Often, especially when it comes to sex, others may know or sense that something is "off" but will not see the real reason....until much damage has been done because of it. 

Here's the deal.  We are, by nature, predisposed to sin in our lives.  And here's a clue.  God knows that.  In fact, He knows about what we are and what we do (or don't do, for that matter).  And by His promises, if we are believers, we are saved....period, end of story.  Whatever that sin is today...take it to Him, offer it to Him, allow Him to do what He wants to do....forgive YOU.  That is radical love that perhaps we find hard to understand.  And it may be hard to understand because of something that we do.....we often literally beat the snot out of ourselves for our sin. 

Here is what helps me.  And it is a day after day thing.

• accept myself as a sinner, and accept (own) my sin
• turn that sin over to God through prayer and confession
• accept His forgiveness and love
• bask in His grace and redemption.....for a while
• start the cycle all over again.....because it is going to happen
• and keep on trying

Here is the key: