You Can Stop the Revolving Door of Habitual Sin
When I was a kid I loved going up and down the escalator. It was so much fun. Up and down. Up and down. It never got old. I also liked going through revolving doors. In then out. In then out. It’s the simple things in life that make me happy.
But now that I’m older, I have some anxiety over the revolving door because when I go through them, my biggest fear is that I could get stuck in them at any time. Have you ever felt that way too?
Revolving doors can be compared to how we deal with some matters in our life. Instead of matters being closed, the door is open when we know it should be closed.
It’s the temptation we flirt with and at times allow ourselves to be caught in and sin. It’s the area in our life we don’t want anyone to know about because if they did find out we would be embarrassed and humiliated. It’s a revolving door. Open then close. Open then close. I am moving when I need it to be still. Do you know what I am talking about?
It’s “I thought I forgave this person, but when I see them or hear their name I cringe.”
It’s “I am not going to be judgemental but when you hear a story critical words come right out of my mouth.”
It’s “I made a vow that I will not look at something yet I clicked on the button.”
Paul gives us good advice in the Bible. He says “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4: 26-27).
These open spaces where we give room for the devil to tempt us and let our sinful desire rise above us are causing us pain, delay, and setbacks. But here is the good news if you want to be free, close the door. I’m not talking about closing the door on your strength. I’m talking about living and moving through the grace of God who has closed the door for us.
When Jesus died on the cross and rose on the third day – guilt and shame no longer have a claim on our name but instead, Jesus’ love gives us power and unction to live a life where the door does not revolve anymore. The work has been done, we just need to reside in God’s grace and let the Spirit of God lead us. That’s what the Bible says walk, live and be led and filled by the Spirit rather than by the flesh (sinful desires).
Therefore, closing the door is possible – spiritually speaking.
If you’re going to do it in your strength, it will not work but if you’re going to do it by the Spirit of God you will win. And that simply means going to God every day and praying, “Lord help me, fill me, give me power by your Spirit to overcome and be free.”
It is also making practical choices, like maybe ending some friendships, deleting some apps, reducing the number of credit cards, and or setting your mind on the things of God, which will help you from day to day.
With this in mind, by God’s strength, I can say no and overcome temptation. I can forgive someone who hurt me. I can speak the right words, instead of cursing. I can walk away from sin.
Closing the door is really yielding to the guidance and control of the Holy Spirit. It’s the Holy Spirit having control of you rather than you trying to control it and when that happens in your life the revolving door will no longer revolve and you will be free.
