Sin Is a Choice, Not a Kidnapper

Blame-shifting has been popular from the beginning of time (Genesis 3:12-13). See The Fourth Oldest Sin: It's Your Fault.

 

We want to convince ourselves that we're good people who aren't responsible for our bad choices. And sometimes we act as if sin takes us captive without our permission.  

 

I was reminded of this when I read Michael Tait's confession after he was exposed for abusing drugs and alcohol and committing homosexual assaults for more than 2 decades. 

 

He said “Sin is a terrible thing, taking us where we don’t want to go; keeping us longer than we want to stay; and costing us more than we want to pay.” 

Wrong! Sin is a choice, not a kidnapper:  

 

We choose to sin. We take ourselves where we want to go, and we stay as long as we want or until we get caught. The only truth in Tait's statement is that it costs us more than we want to pay.

 

“Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:14-15

 

Whenever we choose to sin, we refuse God's “way out”:

 

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 

If we don't take full responsibility for our sins, we will end up doing them again. 

See Strength, Not Weakness 

and  

When the Rubber Meets the Road.