Glittering of Sin | Is Desire For Sin a Sin?
Glittering is defined as “shining with a shimmering or sparkling light”.
The human eye likes sparkling lights. It’s why “open” signs flash and why Krispy Kreme’s “ Hot and Fresh Now” signs are made of neon. It grabs the attention and calls to mind the good that can be had if we simply indulge in whatever the sign is trying to get us to buy.
This glittering mirrors a spiritual reality we all must face, temptation. What we want to explore today is how we say no to sin when temptation seems attractive.
When Sin Glitters
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
-James 1:14.
Sin is often a good thing warped into bad proportions or wrong order. The desire for food is not bad, it only becomes gluttony when it reigns as supreme in your affections (bad proportion). The desire for success is not bad, it only becomes idolatrous when you want to be successful more than you want God (wrong order).
This is why we must be acutely aware of what the Bible calls our desire. Do you give attention to what your heart is telling you when you are facing temptation? I promise you it is speaking to you. James says we are lured and enticed (hunter language) by our own desire.
The fact that you have a desire for sin means that we shouldn’t be surprised when we find within ourselves longing for sin from time to time. Sensitive Christians can find themselves very discouraged when they see deep into their heart a desire for sin they long ago put to death.
The heart is deceitful and wicked above all things (Jer. 17:9). Consider what Spurgeon spoke in a sermon on the vileness of heart:
The evil heart which still remaineth in the Christian, doth always, when it is not attacking or obstructing, still reign and dwell within him. My heart is just as bad when no evil emanates from it, as when it is all over vileness in its external developments. A volcano is ever a volcano; even when it sleeps, trust it not. A lion is a lion, even though he play like a kid; and a serpent, is a serpent, even though you may stroke it while for a season it slumbers; there is still a venom in its sting when its azure scales invite the eye. My heart, even though for an hour, it may not have had an evil thought, is still evil. If it were possible that I could live for days without a single temptation from my own heart to sin, it would be still just as evil as it was before; and it is always either displaying its vileness, or else preparing for another display.
Your desire for sin means that your heart will speak to you about temptation and tell you why you should give into it. Do not be surprised or discouraged when satan and your own heart make sin glitter.
Is Desire for sin a sin?
Here we venture into highly debated territory. My goal in this article is not to make a defense of my answer to this question. My goal is to equip Christians who wonder why their hearts still long for sin from time to time, how to combat that desire.
Consider how Romans 8 speaks of this battle between our sinful hearts and the things of God:
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:5–8.
Just because we have a sinful inclination does not mean we must give in to sinful action.
Pauls way of fighting sin? Set the mind on the things of the Spirit.
What this looks like practically
Let’s say you are in your room one evening. All of a sudden a temptation comes to sin. Lust, envy, anger, or a distrust of God. Not only is the temptation there, but your heart starts to speak. “This would be good.” and “you deserve this” and “don’t think of God right now, think of you”.
Your heart speaks to you like this and the more you can pay attention to it the better you will get at killing sin.
There you are, wrestling within yourself. Will you choose sin or obedience? Willpower is no match when it is a game of affection. In this moment what does it look like to set your mind on the things of the Spirit?
1- It means you have acquainted your mind with spiritual things (the bible) before temptation hits. This is why regular bible reading, prayer, and meditation are important. Even if they don’t feel like they are doing anything.
2- You call to mind a specific verse. For me, lately it has been “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7)
3- You preach it to yourself. Perhaps something like “I do not have to be fearful of this desire for sin within me, yes my heart is wicked. But I am not alone. God has given me His Spirit. It dwells within me. And it is a Spirit of power and love and self-control. So God, grant me power. Power to overcome this temptation. Grant me love. Help me see how unloving sin is and help me remember how loving you have been to me. And may all of this culminate in self-control in this moment to say no.”
Glittering Fades
It can be disorienting when you see within yourself a desire for sin. But remember, just because we have a sinful inclination does not mean we must give in to sinful action. God is doing something within the battleground of faith. So may we “rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3–4)
Temptations will come, but the glittering will fade. As we choose obedience through the power of the Spirit what we will start to see is that we have found a treasure in Christ far more beautiful than any sin.
Humbly,
Josh.