Cherishing Sin?

"If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened."

Psalm 66:18

Are you a believer, but God seems silent? Perhaps you read your Bible or daily devotion each day, but it seems flat or rote? Last week, I started sharing reasons that we do not hear God's voice speaking to us. Let me quickly review:

Reason #1: We do not belong to Him. (John 1:12)

Reason #2: Unbelief - do you really believe that God will speak to you? (John 8:47)

Reason #3: Cherishing sin in our heart.

If we belong to God and we are cherishing sin in our heart, we will not hear from Him. What is sin that we often cherish? Sin that flies under the radar - sin that often no one sees. Let me name a few:

• 
  
  unforgiveness toward another


• 
  
  bitterness


• 
  
  anger


• 
  
  holding grudges


• 
  
  resentfulness


• 
  
  a secret fantasy life


• 
  
  emotional affairs with a man in your sphere of influence


• 
  
  flirtiness with other men


• 
  
  critical spirit; judgemental toward others


• 
  
  complaining heart

Do any of these apply to you? What kind of baggage are you holding on to? Do you realize the blessing you are missing?

When we are hurting deeply, there is not a person in the world or a pill we can take or a drink we can drink or food we can eat that can compare to the counsel and the guidance of the Lord God Almighty. Listen to this treasure:

"I will listen to what God the Lord will say; He promises peace to His people, His saints - but let them not return to folly." Psalm 85:8

In other words, we will hear the sound of God's voice in our ear and we will experience the peace that surpasses all understanding - but if we return to cherishing sin in our hearts - we risk silencing His voice in our life.

Ask the Lord if there is any sin that you may be cherishing in your heart. If there is, He'll bring it quickly to mind. When He does, go to your knees. Do not resist Him. Confess the sin He is bringing to your mind. Ask Him for moment by moment help throughout your day to overcome. Be willing to turn away from it.

Once you do this, know in your heart that God has heard and receive His forgiveness: Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord" - and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5

More tomorrow!

Have a great day:)