An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked. There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters too much to detect or hate his sin. Psalm 36:1-2
God's timing often amazes me. Yesterday, someone asked me, "Do we have to get to the point in life where we hate our sin?" Then today, David's words to me are about how a wicked man flatters himself too much to hate his sin. I guess the Lord wants me to think about this question a little more.
Do we have to hate our sin?
The answer I gave to my friend seems to be contradictory to Scripture. I told him "no," but then I clarified by thoughts. I don't feel we have to hate sin. I think we need to get to the point where our sin doesn't really matter anymore - that our relationship with God is what is important.
Is this "hating" sin?
From an either-or perspective, we must either hate it or we love it. But I don't know if it is that simply. There are certain things about my sin that I think I will always love. If I didn't love it, why would I want it? But if I don't hate my sin, why am I trying to walk from it?
Lord, I don't really know the answer. The light of Your grace always outshines my sin. If I am walking in relationship with You, I "will" hate my sin, but do I "have" to hate?
I guess it's about focus. What is my focus in regards to sin? If a man is so focused on hating sin, most of his thoughts are of the sin. Can one who is obsessed with a certain action muster the strength to avoid it? In a moment of weakness, the focus of his thoughts will become action. One the other hand, if a man is more focused on the Lord and His righteousness, where does he turn in that moment of weakness?
Father, help me to shift my focus. Let my eyes blinded to the sin I desire. Turn my heart to You, so when I am weak, You are strong.