“Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” (Psalm 51:4)
Either the Lord is going to punish you, you are going to stop what it is that you are doing against Him, He will simply “let that one slide,” or He will give you over to a reprobate mind.
I personally do not believe that anyone who has been born-again can suffer the last one mentioned here. The assurance of our salvation would be in question if those who are hid in Christ were given over to a reprobate mind, the lost sheep, one who for whatever reason has sinned greatly against the Almighty, is never cast away. And so, the first offering would be true.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1st John 1:9)
Yet there are always consequences for our actions.
Here is where Numbers 32:23 must always enter into our minds when the temptations arrive in our lives, whether they are from our adversary, or our old sinful nature attempting to exert its will upon us.
“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.”
Here is where the second statement must come into play, we must stop what we are doing that we know is against the Lord’s will for our lives. When the temptations arrive, whether they are placed before one of our five senses or begin to be contemplated in our minds, we must do as 1st Corinthians 10:13 says.
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
We must take the way out offered to us, and that immediately. Avert your eyes, stop up your ears, make yourself, force yourself to think of something else, preferably one or more of the verses of the Word of God that you have hid in your heart.
“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” (Acts 24:16)
Faith does not grow unless it is tested, faith comes by hearing yes, also by reading, studying and applying His words of truth in our lives, but we do not wear the full armor of God, nor carry the sword of the Spirit for show. The purpose is in their use, and when our faith is tested, they are to be used wisely, for our growth and for His glory.
The other statement offered, that the Almighty will “let that one slide,” wink at as Acts 17:30 states, is also truth, but is reserved for those who have recently been born-again, those who must begin as we all did, in the milk of the Word, the foundations of His truths.
One does not expect a newborn babe to walk, nor to nourish themselves, that is the responsibility of those who have diligently sought His face. Yet in time that one is expected to grow in the knowledge of His grace and mercy, and here is the fork in the road. How long can one claim to be saved by grace through faith and yet not even comprehend, nor desire to, even the most basic concepts of the truths of the Scriptures?
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:20)
Many people that you have met in this life have been given over to a reprobate mind and are not even aware of this truth, false religious organizations are filled with these hypocrites, and some even sit in the pews of Evangelical churches, having that form of godliness, yet denying the Lord Jesus Christ before men for fear of embarrassment, of shame in being associated with Him.
The temptations that arrive in the lives of those who are the righteousness of God in Christ serve a valuable purpose, they are to teach us how to use properly and for His glory the entire armor we have been blessed to wear.
Use it well in these days.
