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1 Thessalonians 4:2 – When You Sin Do You Already Know You Are Sinning?
TEXT: “For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.” (CSB’17 1 Thessalonians 4:2)
DEVOTIONAL – Comedy can make the obvious even more obvious, even when the topic is obviously not funny. The funny thing about humor is knowing that even when the scene is outlandish to the extreme, what makes it hilarious is it is still grounded in reality. Humor is so complex that it can be absurd by making what isn’t funny, funny. Bob Newhart illustrates this in a skit where he plays a psychologist. A patient is seeking help. I won’t reveal the entire gag, but he only has one piece of advice concerning any bad behavioral problem – he yells at the patient, “Stop it!” Stopping sin or any destructive behavior begins with two simple truths: 1) knowing that it is wrong; 2) knowing we need to stop. Let me ask a simple question: When you sin, do you usually sin in total ignorance? Or do you know what you are doing? Usually we know we are destroying our holiness, health, relationships, and so on, but choose to sin anyway! In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul is going to give instructions about sexual sin. I won’t yell at you to just “stop it”. Neither will I try to make a joke here. But remember this, you know, even when sinning, what the Lord has commanded you.
PRAYER – I confess to You God that most of my sins are committed knowing I am sinning. I thank You for telling me what displeases You. I know You can help me, but that is not enough. I need to let You help me stop what I already know is destructive. Amen.
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