A Different Kind Of Christmas
How To WIN OVER SIN
Eileen Renders
What constitutes a Sin? Three factors are involved in what determines that a sin is a sin.
1. Through our knowledge and education, we recognize that what we are thinking about is wrongful and a sin.
2. Despite that knowledge and understanding, we open the door to our minds and allow thoughts of this sin to take up space and time in our thoughts.
3. We consciously decide to commit a sin and then actually complete the act.
What might we have done when presented with a temptation from the Evil One?
Whenever a temptation is presented in a way by the Evil One that whatever sin he is tempting us with is, “Not so bad”. “Doesn’t hurt anyone”. “Its our life”. We can immediately recognize it as a sin, and say to Satan, “Be gone, I belong to Jesus.” Then quickly call on god and ask Him to protect you from sin because you love Him and never again want to hurt Him.
Why and how does sin separate us from God?
It is Satan’s goal to separate us from God, for He feels power over God. Satan recognizes our weaknesses and will continue to tempt us where he sees weakness. We become separated from God because we realize that we have greatly sinned, betrayed, and hurt God, and therefore we retreat. In our retreat, we feel unworthy of God’s love and forgiveness, and cannot forgive ourselves. We refrain from the sacraments and are more separated from God. This can become a vicious cycle of repeated sin and further separation from God.
After taking the first step of resisting the devil and instead turning to God for protection, we become stronger and more confident. We then feel closer to God, feel His protection and love, until there is no problem resisting the Evil One!
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