6 Problems when You’re Standing on the Sin Line

Let me get right to the point: sometimes we put ourselves directly on the “sin line”—that metaphorical line between obedience and disobedience—and then wonder why we so easily fall into sin. Here are some thoughts I hope will help you avoid the line:

1. It’s arrogance that puts us on the line. We get that close to the line because we’re convinced we can handle it; that is, we’re sure we’ll never cross the line. That’s nothing less than pride—which means, by the way, that we’ve already crossed another line of sin in the process.
2. It’s the lure of idolatry that pulls us toward the line. I doubt we ever pray this way, but our thinking at the line is, “Lord, I don’t want to sin, but I don’t want to miss anything, either.” When we seek to wring out of a temptation every ounce of fun we can get without “really sinning,” we’ve still chased the fun of sin. That’s idolatry.
3. We tend to deceive ourselves into moving the line as we get closer to it. Here’s the way the conversations often go in our head: “Well, this really isn’t so bad after all”; “God understands what I’m dealing with”; “I’m not feeling any conviction, so it must be okay”; “Maybe that line is just legalism anyway.” Moving the line is a sure sign of lurking disaster.
4. The walk toward the line is seldom marked by times of deep devotions. In fact, I’ve never seen someone spending regular, consistent, and focused time with God walk easily in the wrong direction. Time with God has a way of building a wall at the line.
5. Accountability partners and small groups don’t usually walk toward the line together. That is, we get into trouble at the line when we’re (a) walking alone or (b) walking with a partner in sin. That’s not usually an accountability partner, and it’s not a small group. The more believers we have walking with us, the less likely it is we’ll get to the line.
6. The line is so thin that none of us is strong enough to walk away in our own power. It takes just one more step. Only one minute alone. One more glance. One additional key stroke on the computer. One more excuse, one more lie. Not one of us can successfully fight this battle alone while standing on the line. That’s why it’s not very smart to go there in the first place.

What’s the point?

• “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.” (Proverbs 4:14-15)
• “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:41)
• “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)