We ALL have sin! I have sinned many times than I can count. Many people think of sin as major infractions like murder, robbery, infidelity, etc. but sin is in the little things that come about in daily life. The things that you don’t think are a big deal or couldn’t possibly count as sin, is in fact sin.
Thinking you are wise or smarter than another is sin for the Bible says, “Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise.” (1 Corinthians 3:18 NLT)
If you’ve been foolish or have done foolish things, the Bible talks about you too by saying, “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” (Proverbs 13:20 NLT)
Lying to someone: “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.” (Proverbs 12:22 NLT)
Having pride: “Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.” (Proverbs 29:23 NLT)
Anger: “And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,”(Ephesians 4:26 NLT) Temper-tantrums: “Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.” (Proverbs 19:11 NLT)
Cursing: “But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” (Matthew 5:22 NLT)
Plotting against someone / “shading” someone: “Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the Lord.”” (Zechariah 8:17 NLT)
I can go on and on about the sin that we all commit. No one is immune to the temptation of sin. Thankfully I serve a God who doesn’t count every single sin against us. “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.” (1 John 4:16-17 NLT)
So the next time you see someone and want to attempt to judge, take a good look in the mirror and you’ll see that we are not so different after all. That person you see could be you or may have been you at one point. So don’t judge or shade someone, love them, have mercy and empathy towards them instead for you never know if that could be you someday. Let this last lesson sink in: “We love each other because he loved us first. If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.” (1 John 4:19-21 NLT)
I pray this message be a teachable lesson and blessing to you who reads it. Allow love, empathy, compassion and acceptance to sink down in your heart. Rid yourself of all biases, hatred, anger, judgements, etc. It may take some time for you to make these changes but the best thing to do is to start now.
Sincerely with love,
~A.G.Rogers
(Instagram: @AndreaGees)
Travel photography by IG user & personal friend: @baldbychoice
A Gees Life 